Politique Observation.
MAlice is like a Serpent, which turns the fairest Flowers into the ugliest Poysons, and verifies the truth of that antient saying; Honor is the Mother of Calumnie. There are no actions how just and honourable soever, which it will not attempt to bespatter with some base unworthy mis-representation. No Innocence can be se∣cure from it's Violences; It cannot more aptly be compared, then to those looking glasses which never represent the true Ideas of the face: It maketh molehils appear mountains; It fretteth and vexeth at vertue it self, and will raise its Batteries to de∣molish it, and though it come to be convinced of their Innocencie whom it persecu∣teth, yet it thinketh willfulnesse and obstinacy in its wickednesse, to be more ho∣norable then vertuous repentance. The Phylosophers have given a good Character of it, when they liken it to a black and thick cloud, which hinders and obscures the light and exercises of Reason. Hence it comes to passe, that as all Bodies represent themselves to our sight for others, and quite contrary peradventure to what they are, if look't upon through clouds and in disorders, so the most commendable and worthiest Actions will appear and passe for low and unmanly, if considered through the Perspectives of Malice and hatred, and revera it makes lyes and Impostures passe for Realities and Currant truths. High and generous Souls are unconcerned at the backbitings of Envie, and do not cease to continue vertuous, notwithstanding all her detractions. They know, that not only Malice but Envy too hath alwayes endea∣voured to defame the greatest Personages, and ablest Ministers of State, and that good men cannot believe any of their false Commentaries, without doing an injury to themselves, that this Monster is easilest overcome by scorn; And that the Inte∣grity of their undertaking is their Bulwark, and like the Sun dissipateth and dispelleth all those clouds and storms which would obfuscate and diminish their Splendour, and in fine maketh them Triumph and Glory over the Malice of their Enemies.