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Of scaling-Ladders.
TO mount up the Works, whether they storme with, or without a breach, is on the assay∣lants part, an atchieve∣ment for men of no mean resolutions: For when it comes to that pinch the annoyances of great and small shot grow hot and thick, the pike, and
the bill, and the sword are not idle, eve∣ry stone is mov'd by the defendants that may retard the worke, or put it back. The ladder hath not more rounds, then the whole worke hath steppes of danger from the first unto the last. Yet this slow matureing of their hopes, bought at such a vast expense of blood, and cost, men are content with patience to expect. Lord, what a ticeing bayt is golden hope! how unwillingly are men brought to lay it downe? how small a glimpse of it gives them full high content? how easily they beleive, that all things tend that way which they would have them? how apt are they to boast the little they have done, whilst they utterly forget the much that is behinde? No wings are swifter then the wings of hope, which measure the greatest distances, and o∣vercome the sorest heights, and seize the richest preyes even in an instant. Diffi∣cultie is a trifle, & danger is a toy before her: she knowes no limits, but desire; & whatever that fancies, or fastens on, she reckons it her own. But such hastie teemers many times bring forth blind
whelpes. Golden dreaimes doe not fill wakeing purses. The anchor of hope doth not alwaies find firme ground to fasten on; nor doth it alwaies take, though the ground serve. Both pietie, and pru∣dence must attend it if hope make us not ashamed: for successe it selfe cannot take off the disparagement of that designe, which was ill layd. Not what may come to passe, but in probability what will, is the wise mans rule: and then he reck∣ons too, that the gaine must countervaile the hazard, and that he will not pay more for the purchase then it is worth: above all, that he will not cast his soule into the scale, nor his conscience into the bar∣gaine, nor venture himselfe, nor his men into those dangers, wherein they cannot hope for God's assistance. These things first weigh'd, though he give his hope the wing, yet he lets her flie but at command. This makes him speed so well, whilst other wanton gamsters, after their large promises unto them∣selves, and their vaine braggs to others, carry nothing home with them out of the feild, but shame, and discontent.