Treatise of True Fortitude, Title page – Dedication
A TREATISE OF TRVE Fortitude. By M. George Gyffard, Preacher of the worde of God, at Maldon in Eſſex.
At London, Printed for Iohn Hardie, and are to be ſold at his ſhop in Paules Church-yard, at the ſigne of the Tygars head. 1594.
To the Right Honourable and his verie good Lord, the Earle of Eſſex. &c.
AMong all the Vertues (right Honourable,) there is no one which is more profitable, and in eueryevery reſpect neceſſary for the ſafety and good of the humane ſocietie, then Fortitude. Her fruites indeed which ſhe bringeth forth are ſuch, as that thoſe Kingdoms and Common wealthes be bleſſed, whoſe Princes and Nobles be valiant. For there trueth, iuſtice and peace ſhall florishe. There shall no good thing be wanting.
The fame of this noble vertue is ſo great, that many of all ſorts and degrees of men are enflamed to ſeeke her, bending their chiefe ſtudy and care, howe they may become right valiant and braue minded men. But the greater parte, for want of good direction, miſſing of the right way, and taking into the wrong, in ſteede of a pure vertue, light vponupon a foule vice, which they embrace and make much of. Great pittie it is, that the mightie courage which is in many men, is not framed aright. They know not how to clime vp on hie vntounto the royall palace of this goodlie vertue, but imagin that they find her, not knowing her properties. I hauehave therefore written heere a few things (ſo farre as my ſmall skill ſerueth,) to giuegive ſome light that way.
True it is, that this Image which in rude maner I hauehave drawne, deſerueth not to be accounted ſo much as the line aments, and skiographie of Fortitude, ſo farre it is aboue my reach to handle the matter as it is worthy. I wish with all my hart, that ſome Apelles woulde take in hande to draw her picture in the iuſt ſummetrie and proportion, and with her liuely colours: that euen the great Princes and Nobles might take pleaſure therein. I comming then ſo farre short of thys, may ſeeme rashe and worthy much blame, that I preſume to offer ſo rude & ſo ſlender a diſcourſe vntounto the hands of your Honour. But I thinke I can remember ſufficient reaſons, to excuſe my boldneſſe heerein. As firſt of all, I am aſſured of this, that the vertue Fortitude, is ſo beutifull of herſelfe, ſo well fauoured and ſo comely, that she neede not be ashamed, no not in her meaneſt attire that can be put vponupon her, to shew herſelfe in the preſence of great Princes. Then ſecondly, it is the cōmon hope & expectation of our whole Land, (at the leaſt, of ſo many as carry faithfull harts to their Prince and Country, and louelove to the truth) that God hath prepared your Honour as a right worthy inſtrument, furnished with an heroicall ſpirite for the defence of our moſt noble Queene and Kingdom. Then when any thing is written (although not ſo exquiſitely) in the defence of Fortitude, againſt thoſe which abuſe her name, and doe but as it were ſteale her cloake to couer a vice, to whom shall the ſame bee offred more rightly for to ſeeke patronage, then to one of the chiefeſt of her noble ſonnes? Thirdlie, I know, that ſuch a poore Treatiſe, comming nakedly forth, will be little regarded among many, and ſo, if there bee any thing in it woorth the knowledge, it shall not profit: And moreouer, ſome matters in it will not bee pleaſant vntounto diuers men, which frame to themſelues a fortitude contrary vntounto that which I ſet foorth. This I doubt not of, but that they carry an affection towards the vertue, and louelove thoſe greatly which excell therein: wherefore I doe perſwade my ſelfe, that for your Honors ſake, euen among thoſe which otherwiſe would tread it vnderunder their feete, it shall finde ſome fauour.
I doe therefore beſeech your Honour, for theſe foreſaide reſpects, to accept of ſo ſimple a thing as this is which I offer. I wish greater, for I wish and pray, that the moſt Mighty, the author & giuer of all good gyfts, will ſo farre increaſe in you that heroicall ſpirit of Fortitude, that your Honor may abounde in all noble and woorthie acts, to the praiſe of the moſt hie God, to the good of his Church, and to your owne eternall Honor.
Your Honors moſt humble to command. George Gyffard.