The Christian Warfare Part 2, Book 2 · Chapter 18
CHAP. XVIII.
Of the miserable effects which accompanie the insufficiencie of worldly things, as discontent in all estates, loathing satietie, and an endlesse desire of changing.
ANd thus hauehave I shewed that these worldly§. Sect. 1. That all men are discontented with their estate, and first those who are of honorable condition. things do not satisfy those which are most possessed of them; from which insufficiencie proceed diuers effects, which bring much trouble and disquietnes to the life of man. The first is, that because no man is satisfied with the things he possesseth, therfore none are contented with their owne state and condition, but seeing only their owne wants, and not other mens, and by a foolish and selfe-deceiuing sophistrie, comparing themselues with others, not in those things wherin they match or exceed them, but setting the beautie of other mens state, against the blemishes of their owne, their commodities against their owne discommodities, and matching their fulnes, with that wherein they are most wanting and defectiue; at last they grow to this conclusion, that no man is so miserable as they; the which in truth is not so, or therefore only so, because they thinke so: whereas if in comparing themselues with others, they would obserue due proportion, fitting their owne benefits, with the benefits of others; their owne defects with their wants, and their discommodities and euils, with those which others sustaine; they would be comforted, either because, all things considered, their owne estate is better then other mens; or else because in their miseries they hauehave all the world to beare them companie. But this discontentednes, the vsuall companion of insatietie, will better appeare, if we descend to some particulars, and take a briefe view of the seuerall states and conditions of men. And first for men of honorable qualitie, because honor it selfe is vaine and doth not satisfie them, they are neuer contented with their owne estate, but finding in themselues an hungring emptines, and pinching want, & not knowing that it is the disease of their mind, but rather imagining that it is some defect in their outward cōdition, they grow into dislike of it, and aspire to some higher preferment, thinking that height and happinesse, aduancement and content will come together. Thus the man of meane qualitie thinketh his basenes an heauie burthen, and aspireth vntounto the reputation of a gentleman, supposing that there is much more contentment in gentilitie then in yeomanrie: but when he hath attained vntounto it, not finding in his new estate, that for which he looked, he resteth not heere, but goeth on in his endlesse iorney of ambition, and affecteth nobilitie; and being enobled he is neuer the neerer vntounto content, because he doth not looke vntounto those whom he hath outgone, but vntounto those who are yet aboue him; and therefore is not so much contented because he excelleth the most, as he is tormented to see any preferred before him; and this maketh him not to stay heere, but now he affecteth Soueraigntie, imagining it a goodly thing to rule, and that there is great contentment in this supreme authoritie, vntounto which all stoope, it selfe stooping to none; but before the crowne be well setled to his head, he finds that it doth not giuegive his head-ach of ambition any ease, but only tormenteth him with the heauie waight, and therefore being not yet satisfied he affects Monarchies; and hauing no higher place vntounto which he may clime on earth, he aspires vntounto diuine honors, vsurping both the titles and worship which is peculiar vntounto God. And thus do ambitious men tire themselues in seeking content where it is not to be found, and torment themselues when they find it not: and hauing placed their happinesse in honor, they aspire vntounto one preferment after another, thinking when they misse of it, that it is only wanting in that degree vntounto which they hauehave attained, and not in honor it selfe.
The like discontent is to be found among those who affect§. Sect. 2. The discontent which accompanieth riches and pleasures. riches; for being altogether vnsatisfied with their present possessions, they grow into dislike of their estate, thinking others more happie, because they are more rich; and therefore hauing outstripped one richer then themselues, they labour to ouertake another, and hauing also outrunne him, they propound vntounto themselues a third; imagining that there is none in worse estate, whilest there is any better, none poorer, whilest there is any richer, and that they hauehave outgone none, so long as they see any go before them; as though other mens abundance were their want, and so much were detracted from their estate, as they see others do exceed them. And thus also those who place all their felicitie in worldly pleasures, are vtterly discontented with their state and condition, when they find that those they hauehave do not satisfie them, or see that others go beyond them in varietie of delights; taking no pleasure, but rather fretting and enuying, when they see their idoll more propitious to others then themselues, though they also hauehave in the same kind a large measure of fauour imparted vntounto them. And thus the glutton abounding with good fare, thinketh that he feedeth but grosly, when he seeth more daintie cates at another mans table: thus the drunkard loatheth his best wines, when he meeteth with better in another mans cellar: thus he who delighteth in musicke contemneth his owne consort, as though there were nothing in it but iarring discord, when he heareth more melodious harmonie. And in a word, thus all sorts of voluptuous men distaste their seuerall delights, when either being glutted with them, they find satietie without satisfying; or see that others hauehave any priuiledge and preeminence more then they, in respect of the qualitie or varietie of their pleasure.
Neither are only these worldly things, honors, riches, and§. Sect. 3. That all men in all ages and in all estates, are full of discontent. pleasures, accompanied with discontent, but all other things in the world bring the same dislike to eueryevery condition and estate: and to begin with the beginning of our life; we see that the child is wearie of his childhood, because he feareth the rod, and by seuerer discipline is restrained from his desired delights; wishing that he were come to such an age as might exempt from these feares, and procure his liberty. Being come to youth he runneth himselfe out of breath, vnderunder the conduct of his vnbridled passions, till at last panting for wearines, he desireth that he were come to ripe age, when as he might rest from these vaine courses, and settle himselfe in some profitable calling, vntounto which when hee hath attained he is not content, but thinking old age honourable, desireth that he might hauehave a share in that reuerence and respect which is due vntounto it, in the meane time neuer thinking of the manifold infirmities, griefes and discontentments which it bringeth with it. Of which when hee tasteth, they are so burthensome vntounto him, that hauing now no other age to change withall, he desireth to be vnburthened of them euen by death it selfe. The like discontent is to be obserued in all other states and conditions: hee that leadeth a single life is wearie of his solitarinesse, and thinketh there is no comfort equall to that sweet society of man and wife; being maried, he waxeth wearie of his yoke, either because hee hath made an ill and vnequall choice, or because hee is impatient of the cares and troubles incident to this estate, and now wisheth againe that he were at liberty. He that hath no children taketh no pleasure in his possessions, because hee wanteth an heire to succeede him, and little playfellowes to beare him companie: he that hath children is not contented, either becauseGen. 15. 2. they are vnrulie, or ouer burthensome, imagining that if he had lesse companie, he should hauehave better store, and liue in greater plentie; and yet if he bee taken at his word hee is ready to repent, and to thinke that there is no greater losse, then when by hauing his companie lessened, he saueth of his former charges. The seruant thinketh his life a bondage, and wisheth meanes of liberty that hee might liue at his owne command; and when he is come to be a master, he is discontented much more, in gouerning and prouiding for his familie. The people dislike their subiection, and grieuously complaine of their heauie burthens, tributes, taxes, customes and imposts; supposing that all worldly contentment resteth in soueraignty; the prince is no lesse wearie of his toile in ruling, of his troubles, dangers, and continuall care, hauing not onelyonly himselfe and priuate familie to looke to, but the whole people and common-wealth which shrowdeth it selfe vnderunder the wings of his prouidence. He that leadeth a priuate life, though he liketh of his ease, yet he is discontented, because hee wanteth respect, & is not crouched vntounto by suters, hauing no authority either to helpe or hurt them: they who are aduanced to publike place commend retirednesse, complaining that they are so wholly taken vp with other mens businesses, that they are constrained to neglect their owne; and whilest they labour for forraine intelligence, become ignorant of that which is done in their owne familie. The poore labouring-man is not contented with his condition, seeing after he hath toiled all the day, & commeth wearie home, he there findeth but course fare and hard lodging; enuying the rich man his easie life, full tables, and downe-bedding. The rich also, though shame keepeth him from complaining, disliketh of his estate, wishing that he had lesse wealth so he had better health, and more labour so he had more strength; and could find in his heart to change fare with the poore man, so he might also change stomackes; and to lie as hard, if also he could sleepe so soundly, and take such quiet rest. The countrie man seeing the plentie and brauerie of citizens, groweth in dislike with his home-spun suit, and houshold▪ prouision, and wisheth rather that he lacked his farme, then that by staying him at home, he should bee thus debarred of citie preferments. The citizens thinke themselues ill seated by reason of bad aires, and dangerous sicknesses that raigne among them, and like better of the countrie mans life, as being more healthie then theirs; and of his estate, as being more certaine, and in lesse danger of ruine and alteration. And finally, in the citie the artificer is wearie of his great paines and small gettings, and wisheth that he could change estats with the merchants, who hauehave more pleasure and greater abundance. The merchant running many dangerous courses, by reason of boysterous tempests, spoyling pirats, and barbarous nations, thinketh them happie that sit quietly, though but poorely, by their owne fire; and if by any casualty their state bee impouerished, they wish that they had beene brought vp to some handie trade, and preferre a mechanicall art aboue a great stocke, and skill in merchandise, seeing that may bee lost, and so this grow vnprofitable; whereas the other neuer faileth, but as a lease for life, bringeth in continuall maintenance. In a word, there is no manNobi… alienum, nostrum plus alijs placet. that is contented with his estate, but thinketh eueryevery mans better then his owne, not because it is so, but because hee is neerer acquainted with the miseries of his owne condition, and so is better able to declame against them, then with those that are incident vntounto men; euen as contrariwise they extoll in their iudgements any benefits inioyed by others farre aboue their owne, and are ready to admire with rauishing wonder that in anothers possession, which they would thinke scarce worth the owning, if it were in their owne custodie.
Now this commeth to passe, partly because wee are much§. Sect. 4. Of the causes why worldlings are so full of discontent. more sensible in feeling our owne miseries, and partly because by experience we find the insufficiencie and vanity of those worldly things which our selues enioy, and are apt to thinke others benefits of a better quality; whereas in truth whatsoeuer is in the world is vaine and sufficeth not; and eueryevery condition hath good and euill, miseries and benefits, in such iust proportion tempered the one with the other, that if a man knew all, hee could hardly tell which to chuse: and in that this man is contented with his estate, and another is not; the true cause of this difference is not in the outward condition, but in the hart and mind. For al estates bring with them causes enow of discontentment, but one beareth them with wisedome and patience, and in thus bearing lesseneth them; whereas another by impatiencie aggrauateth his burthen, which in it selfe is not so heauie, and by strugling and striuing to shake it off, findeth no ease, but galleth his mind with griefe and sorrow. And as we see those who are of a strong constitution contentedly endure all weathers, wheras he who is weake and vnsound complaineth in winter of cold, and in the summer of heate: so those whose minds are healthie, constant, and strong in patience, are prepared for all estates and conditions; whereas hee who is infirme through impatiencie, and subiect to the ague fits of passion, with equall discontent afflicteth himselfe with the cold winter of aduersitie▪ and the hotte summer of a prosperous estate, and both these come to passe, not because the one feeleth no waight, but because he hath strength to beare it; or that the other hath an heauier burthen, but because by reason of his weakenesse, a light loade is sufficient to presse him downe. As therfore the foot fashioneth the shooe, and not the shooePlutarch. de tranquil. anim. the foot; for a crooked foote, maketh the shooe also crooked; but contrariwise, a straight shooe will not make straight a clubbed and crooked foot: so the state is fashioned by the mind, and not the mind by the state; for if it be quiet and contented, then all outward things bring contentment to it; whereas if it be impatient, wayward and peeuish, eueryevery feather seemeth an heauie burthen, all kind of occurrents vex and displease; and that which would bee anothers paradiseOptat ephippia bos piger, optat arare caballus Horat. and delight, is vntounto them an hell and grieuous torment. And hereof it is that men are discontented and complaine, not for the same causes only, but also for those which are diuers, yea quite contrarie one to another: as for example, one complaineth of his poore and base estate, which maketh him neglected and contemned of al; another that his honors & authority are too burthensome, & that he is sued vntounto by too many: one is vexed because he hath too many children; another because he hath none at all: this man crieth out of his multitude of businesse, and his neighbour is as much troubled, because he is not troubled; and liuing at too much ease, wanteth imployment. One is tormented with iealousie, because hauing a beautifull wife she loued of al; another with sa…iety and lothing, because she is deformed, and affected by no body. And this commeth to passe partly because these worldly things are vaine, and cannot satisfie those that hauehave them; and partly by reason of the weakenesse and infirmity of mens minds, who bring no more contectment to their estate, then it bringeth to them; but make all things they enioy, which in themselues are vaine and scarce worth the keeping, to become vntounto them troublesome burthens, which bring cumber in carying, and ease when they are shaken off. For as the weake and sickly stomacke is made more sicke, and surfetteth with a small quantitie of wholesome food, turning the best meate into noysome humours, whereas that which is strong and healthie is wel refreshed, with a great meale of the coursest fare, and conuerteth it to profitable nourishment: so a weake and froward mind is surcharged euen with the delicates of a prosperous estate; whereas an heart which is indued with constancie and patience, is contented, and can well digest the meanest condition, and groweth daily in better liking, whilest it is fed with the bread of affliction, and water of sorrow.
A second effect of the vanitie and insufficiencie of worldly§. Sect. 5. That worldly things in stead of satisfying bring with them loathing satie…y. things is, that in stead of satisfying they bring with thē loathing satietie; for howsoeuer whilest men are in pursuit of these vanities, they thinke them of such excellency, that they would account it a great part of their happines, if they might enioy them; yet hauing obtained their desire, they are straight glutted with their companie, and now look vponupon that with loathing contempt, which before they had it, they beheld with rauishing delight: and this commeth to passe, either because they after see things more desireable, and worthy their louelove, in the possession of other men; or because they hauehave these things in excessiue measure, which maketh that which is most sweet to become loathsome; or because their appetite which was sharpned with want, labour in seeking, and difficultie in obtaining, is dulled and taken away by their assiduitie, and easie inioying, without any competitour to sharpen their louelove: or finally, because whilest they were in the pursuite of these vanities, they were deceiued with a false conceit of their worth & excellencie; which opinion is afterwards confuted by their own experience, which manifesteth their worthlesse basenes, and insufficiencie to satisfie and bring contentment. In which respect these worldly vanities are fitly compared to the apples of Sodome, which allure the eye, and sharpen the appetite, but if any touch, or set his teeth in them, they fill his mouth with dust, or vanish into smoake; and those which dote vponupon them are like vntounto those who hauing sicke and weake stomackes, do long for many things when they heare them but named, and when they are procured with cost, and prepared with labour, they begin to loath them, as soone as they see them, and to waxe sicke as though they had surfetted, before they hauehave scarce tasted of them: or like vntounto fond louers whose affection being sharpened with competition, and difficulty of obtaining, do make idols of their mistresses, and admire them as though they were free from all fault and blemish, and full of diuine excellencies: but after inioying them for their wiues, thinke them scarce good enough to be their vnderunder fellowes, there being now in their conceit many more excellent, and free from imperfections. And thus the ambitious man groweth out of liking with his obtained honor, which before he had it, he was rauished with delight, when he did but thinke of it with some weake and vncertaine hope of inioying it, either because he seeth another (which selfe-louelove maketh him beleeue is of lesse desert) better preferred, or because growing ordinarie and common by possession, it becomes stale and triuiall; or finally, because being vaine, it doth not satisfie and giuegive contentment, but rather sharpeneth the appetite, and inflameth the desire to aspire to an higher place; and a greater honor being but entertained by desire, and nourished with the least hope, maketh the lesser to be contemned as base and worthlesse. Thus also the couetous man loathethDiues quod suum est quasi vile fastidi…; quod alienum est, quasi pretiosissimum concupiscit. Ambros. lib. de Nabuth. cap. 2. his owne possessions as good cheape and of small value, and desireth another mans, as being most pretious and worthie esteeme; and those things which he highly prised before he had them, being come into his owne keeping are thought scarce worth the hauing: thus he taketh little ioy in his goodly house and rich furniture, when his eyes hauehave been a little glutted with their sight, though whilest they were in purchasing, he thought to find in them a great part of his happines: thus his pleasant gardens and orchards bring no more delight then the wilde woods, though with great labour and cost he purposely trimmed them, that they might be vntounto him his paradise and place of ioy: and thus he pulleth downe his old barnes, when he thinketh of building bigger, and in his large lordships thinketh himselfe straitned, as though he were in a prison, when he beholdeth others greater territories. Finally, thus the voluptuous man is straight glutted with the fruition of those pleasures, which before he much desired, the glutton loathing those meats which erewhile he longed after, and being cloyed with those drinkes, which when he was at another mans table, seemed most delicious. Thus he who delights in vaine shewes, sports and pastimes, taketh a monthes paines in preparation, and spares for no cost to make them most delightfull; and though both these set an edge on his appetite, yet he is often wearie of it before it be done, though it be but of some few houres continuance, and not finding that ioy and contentment which he expected, wisheth that it were past. By which the great vanitie of worldly things, and miserie of worldly men plainly appeareth; for what can be more vaine then they, whose expectation was better then their fruition, and whose worth ceaseth when they are inioyed? what can be more void of excellencie, then that which is only precious when it is absent, and loseth all it value when it commeth to vse, experience spoiling it of all that worth which a false opinion had inriched it with. And consequently, what can be more miserable thenPraecipitat quisque vitam suā, & suturorum desiderio laborat praesentium taedio. Senec. de breuit. vitae. cap. 7. a worldly man, who spendeth his whole life in the desire and pursuit of things future, and in loathing things present, and who setteth his heart vponupon such vanities which are more esteemable in their want, then in their inioying, and being obtained with great care, paines and labour, when they should be the reward of all, become contemptible trifles, if not troublesome burthens: in which respect it were much better for him to spend his whole life in seeking, then to obtaine that which he could find in his heart to cast away againe, but that he would not seeme to hauehave lost all his labour; much better were he to be still suing, then euer to inioy, because in the pursuit he is delighted, and as it were fatted with his owne opinion, whereas fruition maketh him more leane and comfortlesse then he was before, because experience teacheth him that he hath spent all his sweate in hunting after a feather, and tired himselfe in seeking a vanitie, which being obtained bringeth no pleasure or contentment; and in stead of satisfying causeth loathing satietie.
Thirdly and lastly, from this insufficiencie of worldly§. Sect. 6. From the insufficiencie of things to satisfie and bring contentment, proceedeth an endlesse desire & affectation of change: for though these earthly vanities satisfie not, yet they bring with them cloying satietie, the which being accompanied with loathsome contempt, enforceth the mind which naturally affecteth happines, and full contentment (though it bee ignorant of the meanes whereby it may be attained) to fixe the desires vponupon new obiects, to see if it can find that in them, which was wanting in the other, wherein finding as little contentment as before, they leaue also them and affect new; till hauing run ouer all which they thinke worth the desiring, and hauing tried all things which the world calleth excellent (if at least they can with all their care and labour attaine vntounto them) at length (like those who affect new fashions and strange attires) when they hauehave tired their inuention, and know not what more to desire, they are faine to take vp the old againe which before they loathed, and after their glutted appetite is a little sharpned with absence and discontinuance, they place vponupon it afresh their soone wearied delight, till their renued loathing moueth them vntounto a new change. And thus worldly men (like the horse in the mill) tire themselues in trauelling this endlesse circle, ending where they began, and being at the night of death as far from the iorney end of their desires, as when they began their daies trauaile: and not hauing fixed their hearts, and grounded their hopes vponupon that neuer failing foundation, God all-sufficient and the eternall ioyes of his kingdome, they hauehave nothing solid and substantiall to rest vponupon, but like a feather in the aire they are tossed to and fro with eueryevery winde, seeking rest but finding none. And hauing long tired themselues in vaine, after manifold trials and new conclusions, finding no contentment, at last they resolue to place all their delight in often change; and that which they cannot find in the substance or sufficiencie of worldly things, they looke for in continuall varietie, so thatNihil est iucundum nisi quod reficit varietas. now there is nothing pleasing vntounto them which varietie and change refresheth not: like vntounto those lying in bed, and not sleeping or taking rest, who being wearied with waking, do spend the whole night in tumbling and tossing from one side to another, seeking for ease in their often change, which they cannot find by quiet lying on either side. And as those who are sicke of a burning feuer when they cannot satisfie their vnsatiable thirst, doe often change their drinke, one while longing after that which is tart and sharpe, and another while after that which is coole and small; now affecting that which not long since in their health well pleased them in their neighbours house, as though it would now also bring the same delight; and anon not finding their thirst quenched by change of drinkes, desire wine or water. But all in vaine; for hauing tried all, they complaine that they are al so bitter, that they doe not quench their thirst: whereas in truth it is the bitternesse of their mouth distasted with choler, the cause of their disease, and not the fault of their drink, and not because it is vnfit to quench their thirst, but because their burning heate still renuing and augmenting it, maketh it vnquenchable: So wee being diseased with the burning heate of concupiscence, thirst after worldly vanities, thinking by them to hauehave our heate abated; and after wee hauehave made triall of many, and yet find our thirst nothing quenched, we long after endlesse variety, neuer calling to mind that it proceedeth from our inward disease, and not from the want of outward things. A notable example whereof weeEccles. 2. 1. 2. &c. hauehave in Salomon, who labouring to find contentment in worldly things, and not finding it in any one of them, giueth his heart liberty to runne ouer all, making triall of one thing after another, till in the end he was tired with all. He sought for it in mirth, and findeth in stead of it madnesse; in pleasure, and discouereth nothing but vanity: Then he shifteth from one thing to another, and looketh for it, in great workes and stately buildings; where missing of it, hee goeth to seeke it in fruitfull vineyards, in delightfull gardens and orchards, in fountaines, springs, and pleasant groues; where not finding it, he proceedeth in the pursuit, and looketh for it in the multitude of siluer, gold, and princely treasures, then in delightfull musicke, then in many seruants and great attendance; vntounto which we may adde that which shame made him conceale, his multitude of wiues and concubines: but hauing tried all these and many other, withholding nothing from his eyes▪ which they desired, nor withdrawing his hart from any ioy; he findeth in all this variety, as the reward of all his labour, nothing else but vanitie and vexation of spirit.
But this will better appeare, if wee doe but a little consider§. Sect. 7. The former point cleered by some speciall instances. of the speciall instances. For thus the ambitious man affecting honour, and not being satisfied with that which hee hath attained vntounto, is presently glutted with it, labouring after hew variety, one while seeking vaine glory, another while preferments; now the fauour of his prince, and soone after the applause of the common people. Or if hee settle his affection vponupon any one of these, hee seeketh to refresh his glutted mind with variety in the degree, climing one step after another, till hee commeth to the highest; where being seated, hee is now further off from contentment then at the beginning, because he cannot change for the better, nor delight his vnsatisfied mind with wonted variety. Thus also the couetous man being vnsatisfied with his riches affecteth change, shifting his wearied appetite from one thing to another, till all become tedious and troublesome. For finding no contentment in his old manors he desireth new lordships, being not pleased with one house, hee buildeth another; and not contented with that, hee erecteth a third much more stately; and being master of many, hee findeth contentment in none, which is the cause of his oft shifting from one to another with great cost and labour; but all in vaine is his remouing, seeing hee still carieth his disease about him; and therefore is no more eased, then hee who being sicke of an ague, doth often change his bed. And as being wearie of his house he affecteth often change; so also is he no better pleased with his houshold stuffe, furniture, plate and apparell; and therefore being glutted with often sight of the same thing, herein also he makes variety the last refuge of his delight. And the like may be said of their gold, siluer and treasures; of which though they be neuer wearie in themselues, as being the idols vponupon which they hauehave fixed their hearts, yet are they discontented with their share and portion, and therefore still affect greater quantities, till they hauehave more then they can tell how to vse. But aboue all, the voluptuous man finding no contentment in his delights, affecteth varietyEx v…luptuarijs … quae rarissimè contingunt imprimis dele…tant. Epictet. in m…morab. dict. of pleasures, being most affected with that which he most seldome doth enioy, and glutted with those which are in ordinarie vse. Hee may not twice together feed on the same dish without loathing satiety, and therefore tireth both sea and land, himselfe and all that belong vntounto him, in seeking out variety of meats; and nature not affording change inough to continue his mutable delight, he refresheth his cloyed appetite by the helpe of art, compounding many things together, because being single they cannot please, and adding as great variety of sau…s as meates, to giuegive contentment to his curious pallet. Foole that he is to spend all this cost and labour in attaining vntounto that delight, which hunger alone without their helpe would much more plentifully bring vntounto him. And thus also they find no delight in their sweetest musicke,Cantibus nouis, non notis delectamur. if still they should heare the same songs, and not hauehave continuall change of harmonie; nor in beholding the same shewes and sights, though at the first neuer so pleasing and delightfull; nor in their games, sports and pastimes, but often change from one to another, sometime affecting chamber delights, and somtime more manly sports in the open fields; and neuer delighting long in any, because all are vaine, but affecting continuall variety, because the best of them not satisfying, within a while bringeth satiety and loathing.