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[ 953] Men, not to run themselves into trouble.
THere is mention made in the Ecclesiasticall story,* 1.1 of a silly woman, that must needs spit in the Emperour's face, that so she might suffer Martyrdom. And it is said of the Lion, that to provoke himself to anger, when there is none to hurt him, he beateth himself with his own tail. But thus must no good Christian do, we must take heed that we do not wilfully run our selves into troubles,* 1.2 but rather use all lawfull means to prevent them before they come, and to be freed from them when they are come: For he shall have sorrow that loves it, and he that runs into danger,* 1.3 shall perish in it, and he that voluntarily laies a crosse upon his own shoul∣ders, when he needs not, hath no promise that God will take it off. It is true, that we must drink of this bi••ter cup, but we must stay till God put it into our hands; otherwise we cannot say, that we are chastised by him, but that we scourge our selves with whips of our own making.