The first SECTION. Devotion of Great men.
OF more worth (saith S. Gregory Nazian∣zen) is a good dumb work, than an elo∣quent oration without effect. A gol∣den tongue and a leaden heart, never matched together. It is nothing for one to have the trumpet on his lip, who hath not the torch in his hand, according to the example of those brave soldiers of Gedeon. The voice of great S. Atha∣nasius was a thunder-clap, and his life a lightening flash, saith the fore-alledged Authour, because words never thunder well, if examples enlighten not.
To what purpose is it to warble like a lute, and to be deaf to the harmony thereof? To carry where∣with to shift and cleanse others, as the ass of the hot∣house, and be himself perpetually bemyred and slo∣venly? To buzze up and down like a drone or hum∣ble-bee, and neither make honey nor wax? All the Devotion of a soul truly Christian tendeth to pra∣ctice, as the line to its center. Our wisdom (said S. Cyprian) is a prudence of works, not of words or paper. This is it, which hath given me occasion, having treated of motives, obstacles, and remedies, which men of quality may have in the way of spiri∣tual life, briefly to prepare a little practice of virtues, which more concerneth their condition, to behold them afterwards appear in the history of Courts, which I purpose to begin in this present volume.
It much importeth at the very first entrance, to make a good idea of Devotion, which many plaister over in their own manner, and attire with their pas∣sion, making that sometimes serve for vice which beareth the scepter of virtue. Some imagine devo∣tion to be nothing but an ordinary practice of un∣seemly gestures and motions, such as little puppets would make, if they were animated with some small quantity of quick-silver. Others make use of devo∣tion as Dionysius the Tyrant did of Philosophers, not that he loved them, but that folding himself in their clokes, he thought he should be honored by the peo∣ple. So shall you find sometimes in the world, those who for a vain interest of reputation, will cloth them∣selves with the robe of false devotion, as if one should seek to shelter himself under a wet sack. I speak not here of devotion which concerneth Religious men, nor that which is in the sweetness of contemplation, but I affirm the virtue of devotion, according to S. Thomas, is nought else but a prompt will to the service of God. Noblemen have cause to aspire thereunto.
I. A good devotion in Great men, is to have a great and faithful feeling of the Majesty of God, not serving him with exteriour semblances, but sin∣cerely, cordially, constantly, holding all the ma∣xims of state and condition under the rules of con∣science; and disposing themselves rather to hazard all, than to loose God by one sole sin.
II. A good devotion, to clip the wings of the co∣vetousness of riches and greatness: covetousness, which never findeth measure but in extremities, nor other period than a precipice. Take heed of a soul without bridle. without reverence.
III. A good devotion, not to reach at the goods of the Church by any false pretence, represented in the Court of Rome, by any black or covert deceits, sowed together with white threed, nor afterward to charge a man with titles, like an old sepulchre, and hold to himself the patrimonie of Jesus Christ, therewith to fatten dogs and feed hawks, or such other infamous creatures, which live on the sins of others. Finally, these goods are Eagles feathers, which eat and consume others: whilest a soul is lodged there, it remaineth in a bitterness reple∣nished with gall, and in the perplexed intrications of sin.
IV. A good devotion, not to incroach upon the possessions of your neighbour, nor enforce the good Naboth to sell his land for the accommodation and content of your Lordship, but if he will leave it, to give him a good price, a reasonablerate, a full satis∣faction. Woe to you (said Isaiah) who annex house to house, inheritance to inheritance, as far as the land stretcheth. Would you dwell alone in the midst of the earth?
V. A good devotion, in things which one may rightfully exact, to be staid, just, temperate, not co∣vetous, no Harpy, no Tyrant, but to extend the bow∣els of compassion towards the poor, who are our flesh and bloud, to open the eyes, not to invent new impo∣sitions that may draw the marrow from the people, but to take away or lessen the old, that necessity re∣quireth no more. Salvianus complaineth that in his time there were as many Tyrants as Lords and