A manuali [sic] of divine considerations delivered and concluded by ... Thomas White ; translated out of the original Latine copie.

42. Meditation. Of Learning.

1. COnsider, how that among those actions which are not vertues, and yet may be vertuous∣ly used, some of them do perfect o∣ther things, and some of them, man himself: and of those, some cultivate the body, and others the soul of man, in that wherein the soul is lord, and excellent above other things: and these necessarily excell all others, as much as the soul excel∣leth the matters of the others.

2. Adde, that whenas man is man, by reason of his soul, those a∣mong men ought to be most emi∣nent, who take the care of instru∣cting

the soul: whence it is, that na∣turally men do out of their hearts admire, and honour cordially such as are learned, and scorn the foo∣lish that are rich; nay, they do moreover willingly believe, and submit themselves to the learned, as greater then themselves: from whence the Governours of Com∣mon wealths are addicted to learn∣ing, and are accompted to know more then other men: neither can wealth, nor abundance be wanting to those that excell in power, except they despise them.

3. But the whole life of such as practise arts, and sciences, how much doth it excell others? their pleasures, purged from lees, are purely tasted; whenas corpo∣rall delights, disturbed with a tu∣mult of passions, and sensible alte∣ration, make that themselves can∣not be known. They are constant and persevering; but the corporall passeth presently into lothsomnesse, and disdain. They are more easily

obtained, because they stand in need of fewer instruments, and those more ready at hand This life brings neither diseases to the body, nor detriment to fame, nor to our friends any defect of duty: nay ra∣ther it exhorts, and furnisheth us where with to avoid all these incon∣veniences.

4. Lastly, it is quiet, and free from infinite troubles, because it doth not mingle it self with such things, for the obtaining whereof strifes, and cares do besiege the life of man, with so much importunity, and by labours chained together draw it along in misery. But if we will cast our eyes upon such busi∣nesses, she playeth the great mistress, & by superiour discourses of a high∣er strain, doth rule and order them,

Conclude, to give thanks unto God, that he hath placed thee in such a rank of men. Resolve to use thy utmost endeavour in that Vo∣cation, and to be fixed in that 〈…〉〈…〉 whereon thou are pitched; to 〈◊〉〈◊〉

those who are hardned with such blindnesse, that they can neither ac∣knowledge thy happinesse nor their own vilenesse, and think themselves wise, whiles they attempt to se∣duce others, and bring them to their condition.