The hauen of pleasure containing a freemans felicitie, and a true direction how to liue well : profitable and del[i]ghtfull to all, hurtfull and displeasing to none, except it bee to such pecuish dames as do either foolishlie reiect, or carelesly neglect the dutie of chast matron[e]s / gathered out of the best approued authors.

What profit instruction bringeth to men, and of what sort it ought to be. Chap. 10.

WE ought to haue a great regard after what sort we be instructed. Wherefore, when first our age is most capeable of learning, and most addicted to the studie of good letters, let it be aptlie indued with the noble and li∣beral sciences: for by them is the nature of man best framed to honestie, and soonest garnished with the attire of humanitie. But our best lesson for instruc∣tion, must begin at the framing of good manners. Wherefore, when a young man is prepared to stu∣die, let him first learne good behauior; and then e∣loquence, or the art of Rhetorique: which as Plinie saith, can hardlie be conceiued, except one be well nurtured, because the manner how to liue well is of more force then the order how to speake well; and soundnesse of liuing is a great deale more to be wi∣shed, then elegancie of speech: albeit indeed these two should be ioint and vnseparable companions, and the one to be assistant vnto the other. After the same sort may wee reason, as concerning choice of words, and iudgement of matters. For albeit the knowledge of matter more then of wordes, is to be wished: yet must the matter it selfe bee declared in euident and plaine wordes. Nowe the precepts of life which bring an ornament to the minde, and in∣structeth it in pietie, albeit they bee in themselues honest and profitable; yet as Lactantius and Fabius saie, they obtaine a greater power and for••e to per∣swade

when their beautie is set out with the cleernesse of Oratorie. For those thinges that are taught in their kind, and set out with skilfulnesse of speech, doe more powerfullie pierce into the mindes of men. And albe∣it, we bee vvholie giuen to vvordes (as some Smatters are that are vvholie ignorant of the matter) yet is it bet∣ter to coine eloquence and finenesse of phrase to wise∣dome, least old wordes that are barbarous, foolish, and quite out of vse, doe creepe into our speeche and sen∣tence: whereby a sententious Oration is rather obscu∣red then anie waie opened. But if to picked and neate wordes wisedome be vvanting, vvhereby there resteth no grauitie in the sentences, blunt & rude wisedome is rather to bee preferred, then babling and foolishe fine speeches comm••ded. For as Cicero saith: the foundati∣on of eloquence (as of all other thinges) is wisedome. And therefore excellentlie wel saide Horace, which all men may follovve in their seuerall professions, when hee sayeth:

Aut predesse volunt, aut delectare poetae, Aut simul & iucunda & idonea dicere vitae. Omne tulit punctum, qui miscuit vtile dulci, Lectorem delectando, pariterque monendo.

The Poets either wish to please or els to profit thee, Or iointly speake thinges that to life will fit and pleasing bee, But he doth al good method keep, which pleasing profit brings, And which doth warne and yet delight the Reader in al thinges.

Novv the holy scripture inspired by the holy ghost, vvanteth no humaine helpe, for it affecteth not y^e mind with eloquence and finenesse of words, but by a secret and certaine diuine power, draweth and transformeth the mindes of men. Which Paule himselfe doth wit∣nesse

to the Corinthians, where hee saieth: When I came first vnto you and laide you open the Oracles of God, I vsed no glorious wordes or brags of wisdome: neither was my sermon or preaching vnto you in the perswading words of mans wisedome, but with a hea∣uenlie and powerfu••l demonstration, that your saith might not stande in the wisedome of men, but in the power of God. By which wordes, hee doth not reiect grauitie in wordes and sentences, wherevvith he him∣selfe was plentifullie furnished; neither doeth hee de∣priue himselfe of the force and efficacie of perswasion, whereby with firme reasons and ••t words he draweth mens minds to the knowledge of the truth: but would thereby warn the professors of the gospell, not to trust to the force of Eloquence, to draw mens mindes vnto them with inticing vvordes, but with the spirite and povver of God. So that by this you may see, Paule speaketh wisedome with the perfectest. Wisedome in deede, not of this vvorlde, nor of the princes of this vvorld (that is of Orators who are defaced, and whose finenesse of Orations are vanished) but ••ee spea••eth the wisedom of God closde vppe in a mysterie, which more forceablie affecteth the mindes of men, and fa∣steneth sharper pric••es in them, then any humain do∣ctrine decked and trimmed with most curious words. For the word of God (as he saith) is liuelie and quick, more piercing then any tvvo edged sworde, stri••ing thorough euen to the diuision of the soule and spirit, the ioints & marrovv, and a discerner of the thoughts and purpose of the hart. For thus saieth God by Ie∣renue. Are not my wordes as fire or a hammer that breake••h the stones. And Dauid hee confesseth, hee tried the force and flames of Gods worde in his heart. Moreouer Salomon confirmes it, saying: Euery word

of God is a fi••rie buckler to defend all those that truste in him.

Wherefore let not the ignorant thinke, that Chri∣stian doctrine is idle and vn••auourie, which endueth mens ••inds with so heauenlie and wholsome vertues. For that the Prophetes of God were not vnlearned, but were perfectlie taught the knowledge of vvordes and matter, euen this is an argument: that there are dispearst in the bible so many notable parables, tropes, metaphors, comparisons, figuratiue speeches and si∣militudes, ta••en from Beastes and hearbes, and from the whole nature of thinges dispearsed ouer the whole earth, wherevvith the sermons of the Prophets are so de••ked and adorned, that you shall sinde none so ex∣cellent in the vvritinges of menne; neither shall you anie vvhere finde such a maiestie of vvordes and sen∣tences, that can so forceablie affect mennes mindes, or stirre them vppe to embrace so profitable Doc∣trine.

Notes

• In 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• ••ib 1 cap. 1 ••••b. 1. cap. 3
• Lib. 2. de or a••
• In arte poe.
• 1 Cor. ••
• Heb. 4
• Cap 23 Psal. 1.8 P••o. 30