Minding of good things, a notable way to encrease Grace. [ 1475]
DOmitian perceiving many of his Predecessours in the Empire to be so ha∣ted of the People,* 1.1 asked; How he might so rule as to be beloved? and wa•• answered, Tu fac contrà, Mind and examine what they did, and do thou the contrary: Thus if Men would but truly mind the Law and the Prophets, they would find themselves miserable;* 1.2 (For totus homo est inversus Decalogus) that they stood in a full contrariety to all the Law, and that is the very definition of Man: Now this minding will work a Godly sorrow, will make Men like those that after Iohn Baptist's Sermon was ended came with materiall Quaere's, What shall we do? and to make the conclusion up in their own hearts,* 1.3 Is it comfort that we hear of; Repent, and it's ours; Is it Iudgment? Repent and it is none of ours; if any Vertue be commended, we shall fall to practise it; if any Vice be condemned, we shall labour to avoid it; if any Consolation be insinuated, to appropriate it; any good Example be propounded, to follow it; Where good things are minded, Graces will be encreased.