Sayings of Wise and Learned Men, Part 4
Some of Dr. Harris's Speeches.
COncerning a good Woman under great Temptations and ſpiritual Deſertion, that could find no Comfort after all means uſed for the obtaining of it, he would often ſay; that the difference was not great, whether Comfort came at Death or an hour after, ſince Comfort would come aſſuredly.
In his laſt Sickneſs being deſired to admit of Company, he ſaid: I am alone in Company: 'Tis all one to me to be left alone, or to have Friends with me. My work is now to arm my ſelf for Death which aſſaults me, and I apply my ſelf (as I am able) for that great encounter.
To all that came about him his frequent Counſel was, that above all things they ſhould get Faith: For (ſaid he) 'Tis your Victory, your Peace, your Life, your Crown, and your chief piece of ſpiritual Armour: Howbeit, get on all the other Pieces, and then go forth in the Lord's might, ſtand to the Fight, and the iſſue ſhall be glorious: Only forget not to call in the help of your General: Do all from him and under him.
Being asked where his Comfort lay? He anſwered; in Chriſt, and in the free Grace of God.
Some telling him that he might have much Comfort in his Labours, &c. He replied; all is nothing without a Saviour, without him my beſt Works would condemn me. Oh! I am aſhamed of them, being mixed with ſo much Sin. Oh! I am an unprofitable Servant; I have not done any thing for God as I ought: Loſs of time ſits heavy upon my Spirit. Work, work apace: Aſſure your ſelf that nothing will more trouble you when you come to dye, than that you have done no more for God, who hath done ſo much for you.
Sometimes he uſed thus to breath out himſelf, I never in all my Life ſaw the worth of a Chriſt nor taſted the ſweetneſs of God's love in that meaſure as now I do.
When he was asked, what ſhould be done for him? his Anſwer was: Do not only pray for me, but praiſe God for his unſpeakable mercy to me; and in particular, that he hath kept off Satan from me in this day of my Weakneſs. Oh! how good is God! Entertain good thoughts of him. However it be with us, we cannot think too well of him, nor too bad of our ſelves.
A reverend Doctor being to pray with him, asked him, what he would have chiefly remembred? He anſwered: I praiſe God, he ſupports me, and keeps off Satan from me: Beg that I may hold out: I am now in a good way home, even quite ſpent. I am now at the Shore: I leave you toſſing on the Sea. Oh! It's a good time to Dye in.
Another time being asked how he did? He anſwered: In no great pain (I praiſe God) only aweary of mine unuſeful Life. If God hath no more Service for me to do here, I could be gladly in Heaven, where I ſhall ſerve him better; free from Sins and Diſtractions. I paſs from one Death to another, yet I fear none. I praiſe God I can Live, and I dare Dye. If God hath more Work for me to do here, I am willing to do it, tho my infirm Body be very weary.
Being asked whether Sickneſs, Pain &c. cauſed him to deſire Death? he anſwered, no: But I now do no good, and I hinder others which might be better imployed, if I were gone. Why ſhould any deſire to Live but to do God ſervice? Now I ceaſe from that, I do not Live.
His uſual ſaying was, that he valued no man for his Gifts, but for Humility under them. Neither ſhould he expect much from any man, were his Parts never ſo great, till he was broken with Afflictions, and Temptations.
His Obſervation was, that the humbleſt Preachers converted moſt Souls, not the choiceſt Schollars whilſt unbroken.
He ſometimes ſaid, that it's better to be an Humble Devil than a proud Angel: Which tho a ſeeming Contradiction, yet hath it much Truth in it.
He often ſaid, that he had rather pour Liquor into his Boots than into his Mouth between Meals.
The Rule, which he gave to his Children was this: When you are Youths chuſe your own Callings, when you are Men chuſe your own Wives, only take me along with you: It may be an Old man may ſee further than you.
He uſed to ſay, that a Preacher hath three Books to ſtudy, Firſt the Bible, Second himſelf: And thirdly the People.
That Preaching to his People was but one part of a Paſtor's duty. He was to live and dye in them, as well as for, and with them.
His counſel to young Preachers was, that they ſhould rather Preach one Sermon ten times over, than to ſpeak any thing new without Preparation.
Concerning himſelf he ſaid, that he never came off with leſs Comfort, and worſe Content to himſelf, than when he was in appearance beſt provided. And he gave this reaſon for it, Not becauſe he had uſed ſuch diligence in preparing (for that was his Duty) but becauſe he was then apteſt to depend upon himſelf, and to neglect his dependance upon God.
Of the antient Fathers his ſaying was, that unleſs it were for their Polemical, and Hiſtorical parts, their Writings were more for Devotion and Affection, than for their judgment and underſtanding.
Concerning the Times wherein he lived, ſome things lay ſadly upon his Spirit. As
1. He complained that the Power of Godlineſs, and Exerciſe of Love, and Self-denial were much abated in theſe latter Days: And he much bewailed the vaſt difference both in Garb, and Practice, between New and Old Profeſſors.
2. That the Indulgence which was ſhewed to tender Conſciences, was much abuſed to Profaneneſs, whilſt men of no Conſcience moſt pleaded that Liberty of chooſing their own Churches and Teachers, when indeed, on the Matter, they abandoned all.
3. That Liberty of prophecying which ſome pretended to, was abuſed to meer Licentiouſneſs and Confuſion, whilſt ſome would have none, and others all Prophets and Preachers.
4. That in the Univerſities few could be called conſtant Students in thoſe times, but the moſt made a ſhort work of it, and Poſted into the Pulpit before they underſtood their Grounds; So that few were able to encounter with the growing Errors of thoſe times.
5. That in the Church, men were in their extreams, ſome preſſing nothing but the Law, others Preaching nothing but the Goſpel and Chriſt.
6. He complained of the want of Catechizing, and inſtructing Youth in the Principles of Religion, the want of which, he ſaw by experience, was a great occaſion of the Peoples giddineſs.
7. But moſt of all he bewailed the readineſs of many to ſide, and to make Diviſions: And himſelf loved not, either to uſe, or to hear uſed dividing Names and Titles.
He obſerved that ſuch as often changed their Principles, and Faith profeſſed, uſually fell from Scepticiſm to Atheiſm.
That ſo much Humility any man had, ſo much Grace and worth he had, and no more.
That nothing was to be accounted good in or to any man, but that which was his proper Fruit and done by vertue of his Calling, from a Principle of God and for God.
That the beſt man hath no ſecurity from any one Sin or fall, or Temptation, any further, or longer than he is held up by God's hand and Chriſt's Mediation.
That God doth oftentimes leave us to own Satan's ſuggeſtions for our own, becauſe we do not own God in his holy Motions and breathings.
That it's juſt with God to deny us the Comfort of our Graces, when we deny him the Glory of them.
In himſelf he obſerved, that what he forgot in the Week-days, would unſeaſonably preſs in on the Lord's Day, ſo that he could (if he durſt) contrive more Worldly buſineſſes upon the Lord's Day, than he could diſpatch all the week after.
That he found no greater Enemy than Diſcouragement; which he called, the Child of Pride and unbelief.
He uſed to ſay, that ſome Duties which were oft in mens Mouths as eaſy, he found very difficult to him. As
1. To deny himſelf in all his Selfs, was a Work to be learning whilſt he lived.
2. To live only by Faith and a bare Promiſe, without a Pawn, is a great work.
3. To give all to Free-Grace, and to Chriſt alone, is a mighty Work.
4. To love where we meet with unlovingneſs and Contempt is no eaſie matter.
5. To do ones proper Work without ſome preſent Pay and Countenance from God and Man, is a hard Task.
6. That it's a far harder work to adopt other mens▪ Comforts, than their Sorrows, and to hold ones ſelf exalted in anothers Exaltation.
7. That to dye in cold Blood, and to be active in it as an act of Obedience, is the work of a Chriſtian indeed.
In his laſt Sickneſs, upon ſundry Occaſions, he thus vented himſelf.
It's a hard thing to think ill of our ſelves, and well of God at the ſame time.
It's a hard thing for a Child of God to forgive himſelf ſome Faults, even when God hath forgiven them.
It's hard to retain holy Thoughts long, and to confine them to another Man's Prayers.
We know but little of Chriſt's Love till all be perfected, and ſpread before us in Heaven.
His advice to his Wife was, that if ſhe married again, ſhe ſhould remember her own Obſervation, which was this; that ſecond Husbands are uſually very Uxorious, and ſecond Wives very prevalent: Therefore (ſaid he) take heed that you do no ill Offices by eſtranging your Husband from his former Children, or Kindred. For you ſhall draw upon him a great Sin and judgment, if you kill natural affections towards them.
His advice to his Children; was,
Firſt, For your Souls: Trifle not in the main Point: Your Souls are immortal: You have to deal with an infinite Majeſty: You go upon Life and Death, therefore here be ſerious: Do all to God in a ſerious manner. When you think of him, ſpeak of him, Pray to him; any way make your addreſſes to his great and glorious. Majeſty, be in good earneſt. For have God and have all. More particularly,
Get your pardon in Chriſt: It is not Impoſſible to get it aſſured to you, if you will learn, 1. To deny your ſelves, 2. To live by Faith, 3. To underſtand the nature of the new Covenant. Settle your judgments in theſe Points, and the thing is feaſible.
Secondly, Having gotten it, be ſtill adding to your Evidences, and enjoy your preſent Aſſurance. Do all to God as to your Father.
Next to this, think how you and I ſhall endure the ſight, the thought one of another at the laſt Day, if you appear in the Old Adam: Much leſs ſhall you ſtand before Chriſt, unleſs you ſhew the Image of Chriſt, in you; And therefore never ceaſe till you be made New Creatures, and ſtudy well what that is.
In the laſt place ſtrive for thoſe Graces moſt which concern your Places and Conditions, and make head againſt thoſe Sins which moſt threaten you: As 1. Hereditary ſins, 2. Sins of the Times, and Places where you live, 3. Of your Conſtitutions and Age, 4. Of your Callings.
In ſhort, do not talk and make a noiſe, to get a Name of forward men, but do the thing. Be conſtant in ſecret Duties, and act Religion in your Callings: For it is not a Name, or Notion. 'Tis a frame of Nature, and habit of living by the divine Rule. What it is you will then know when you have it, in Truth firſt, and in Power next, and not before. Only this for the preſent; 'Tis that which you muſt Live and Dye by, that which you muſt riſe and reign by. Therefore (my Children) Be more than you ſeem: Do more than you talk of in Point of Religion. Satisfie your own Conſciences in what you do; All men you ſhall never ſatisfie; Nay, ſome will not be ſatisfied tho they be convinced.
For your Bodies.
To prevent Hereditary Diſeaſes: 1. Diſclaim Hereditary Sins, 2. keep Heads clean, Feet warm, and Hearts cheerful, 3. Be frequent in ſome bodily Exerciſe, 4. Shun late drinking, or ſtudying, 5. Uſe light Suppers.
For your Callings.
Firſt, Chuſe well, 1. A profitable Calling for the Publick, 2. A full Imployment, 3. A Calling fit for your parts and means. 'Tis better to be a rich Cobler than a poor Merchant.
Secondly, Uſe your Calling well, 1. Make it an help, not a ſnare to your Souls, 2. Be 1. Diligent, 2. Skilful, any honeſt Calling will honour you, if thus you honour it.
For your Company.
Abandon all infectious, flattering, Self-ſerving Companions: When you have once found them falſe, truſt them no more. Sort with ſuch as are able to do, or receive good. Solomon gives you the beſt Counſel for this, in many places. Read the Proverbs, and remember him in theſe, 1. For ſake not an Old Friend, 2. Be friendly and faithfull to your Friends, 3. Never trouble or truſt Friends unleſs there be a neceſſity, 4. Be long in cloſing with Friends, and loth to loſe them upon Experience of them.
For your Marriages.
In Marriages you lay the Foundation of your preſent Wo or Weal: Therefore here be not raſh: Go not alone: Yet remember what St. Paul ſaith, 1 Cor. 7. 2. Nevertheleſs, to avoid Fornication, let every man have his own Wife, &c. Firſt, ſtudy whether you have a Calling to marry yea or no, and adviſe well of that. If none, forbear: If ſo, adviſe with Friends before your Affections be engaged. In your choiſe, aim at, 1. Grace, 2. Good nature, and Education. The beſt Woman is not ever the beſt Wife; 3. Good parts of underſtanding, Huſwifery, &c. As for Portion, be it more or leſs, be upon Certainties, and truſt not Words. And for Parentage, let not the diſtance be too great leſt you deſpiſe or be deſpiſed. However, be ſure that the Perſon likes not your fancy, but your judgment.
For your Children.
Make it your chiefeſt Work to make them, Firſt, Godly, 2. Uſeful. Beſtow moſt of their Portions in their Education: And if Grace make no difference, do you make none in your Affections, Countenance, Portion; Partiality this way, ends in nothing elſe but envy, ſtrangneſs, &c.
For your ſelves among your ſelves.
My deſire hath been to carry an even hand towards you all, and have laboured to reduce you (as near as I could, all Circumſtances conſidered) to an equality; and therefore my laſt requeſt and Charge is, that you will live together in an undivided bond of Love. You are many, and if you joyn together as one man, you need not want any thing, what Counſel, what Comfort, what Money, what Friends may you not help your ſelves unto, if each will contribute his aid? Wherefore (my dear Children) I pray, I beſeech, I command, I adjure you by all the Relations, and dearneſs that hath ever been betwixt us, that you know one another, Viſit (as you may) one another; Comfort, Counſel, Relieve, Succour, Help, admoniſh one another. Whilſt your Mother lives, meet there if it be poſſible, yearly. When ſhe is Dead pitch upon ſome other place; if it may be, let it be your elder Brother's Houſe; and if you cannot meet, yet ſend to, and hear one from another upon all occaſions. And when you have neither Father nor Mother, be ſo many Fathers and Mothers each to other; So you ſhall underſtand the bleſſing mentioned, Pſal. 133. 1. Behold, how Good, and how Pleaſant it is, for Brethren to dwell together in Ʋnity! &c.
For your Eſtates.
Be not troubled that you are below others, it may be, of your Kindred. Get more Wiſdom, Humility, Goodneſs, and you will be above them: Only this do: 1. Study Work more then Wages, 2. Deal with your Hearts to make them leſs, 3. Begin low, 4. Joyn together to help one another, 5. Reſt upon the Promiſes, which are many and precious this way, 6. Sow mercy, and if all other means fail you, that ſhall maintain you. Object not, but truſt in God.
For the Publick.
Bleſs God that you are born Engliſhmen, and Women, and bear your ſelves dutifully, and Conſcionably towards Authority. See God in the Magiſtrate, and hold Order a precious thing. And for the Church neither ſet her above her Husband, Chriſt, nor below her Children. Give her that Honour, Obedience, and Reſpect that is her due. Be neither Authors, nor Fautors of any, either Faction, or Novelty. It is true; This is not a riſing way, but it is a free, fair, and comfortable way for a man to follow his own judgment, without warping to either hand.
A great Man told King Henry the 8th. that Reaſon of State was reaſon of Law. That the King ſhould never ſtick at Law, in caſe of Publick good; and yet that all his Acts for Publick good ſhould come as near as poſſible to the Law. Thomas, Marqueſs of Dorcet, finding King Henry the 8th penſive, told him boldly, That never was that Man merry that had more than one Woman in his Bed, more than one Friend in his Boſom, and more than one Faith in his Heart. State Worthies, p. 156.
He that is Maſter of my Heart (ſaid a Wiſe man) is Maſter of my Life. If my Shirt (ſaid Metellus) knew my mind, I would burn it.
It's pitty he ever learned to ſpeak, that know's not how to be ſilent. I would firſt be ſo Wiſe (ſaid a great Man) as to be mine own Counſellor, and next ſo ſecret as to be mine own Counſel-Keeper.
How dar'ſt thou be ſo Plain? ſaid Heliogabalus to one of his Courtiers: Becauſe I dare Dye, ſaid he. I can but Dye if I am Faithful, and I muſt Dye tho I flatter.
It's an excellent Rule; Ask an inferior Man's advice in private, that he may be free and a Superior's in Publick, that he may be reſpectful.
A Country-man in Spain coming to an Image, the firſt making whereof he could well remember, and not finding from the ſame that reſpectful uſage which he expected: You need not (quoth he) be ſo Proud: for we have known you ever ſince you were a Plumb-Tree.
Edward 3d. King of England having ſent to France to demand the Crown by his Maternal right, the Council there ſent him word, that the Crown of France was not tyed to a Diſtaff: To which he replied, that then he would tye it to his Sword.
He was a wiſe Man that ſaid: Delay hath undone many for the other World: Haſte hath undone more for this. Time well managed ſaves all in both.
It's ſaid of Grandees: That they are the firſt that find their own Griefs, and the laſt that find their faults. Men of great Fortune are ſtangers to themſelves, and while they are in the puzzle of Buſineſs, have no time to attend the Welfare, either of Body, or Soul, and therefore they ſhould with-draw from this World, before they retire into another. For, Illi mors gravis incubat, qui notus nimis omnibus, ignotus moritur ſibi.
Cato Major would ſay, That wiſe Men learn more of Fools than Fools do of wiſe Men. King Charles the 1ſt. would ſay, That it was Wiſdom in Fools to jeſt with wiſe Men; but madneſs for wiſe Men to jeſt with Fools. And another added: There is no man that talks but I may gain by him: and none that holds his Tongue but I may loſe by him.
If a Man wrong me once (ſaith the Italian) God forgive him: If he wrong me the ſecond time, God forgive me. And Coſmus, Duke of Florence, ſaid: You ſhall read, that we are commanded to forgive our Enemies, but you never read that we are commanded to forgive our Friends.
A fat Man in Rome riding always upon a very lean Horſe, being asked the Reaſon thereof, anſwered, That he fed himſelf, but he truſted others to feed his Horſe: And a Judg of our own being asked, what was the beſt way to thrive ſaid, Never do any thing by another, tha… you can do by your ſelf.
One of our Judges ſaid, that he durſt not entertain a Gift, which (ſaid he▪ Conquers both the Fooliſh, and the Wiſe▪ which in Publick places it is a Vice to accept, and not a Virtue to offer; it being a Snare rather than a Favour.
Manners make a Man, ſaith the Courtier. Money makes a Man, ſaith the Citizen. Learning makes a Man, ſaith the Schollar: Conduct makes a Man, ſaith the Soldier: But ſincerity in Religion makes a Man, ſaith the Divine.
The Lord Chief Juſtice Mountague uſed to ſay, Meum eſt jus dicere, potius quam jus dare. It's my Duty rather to interpret than to give Laws.
Of Stephen Gardiner, B B. of Wincheſter, it is recorded, that he never did what he aimed at, never aimed at what he intended, never intended what he ſaid, and never ſaid what he thought; whereby he carried it ſo, that others ſhould do his Buſineſs, when they oppoſed it, and he ſhould undermine their's when he ſeemed to promote it. A man he was that was to be traced like the Fox, and read, like Hebrew backward. If you would know what he did, you muſt obſerve what he did not.
Stephen Gardiner, B B. of Wincheſter, in Queen Maries days, concerning the Princeſs Elizabeth, ſaid: That it was in vain to Lop the Branches ſo long as the Root remained. And concerning thoſe that fled for Religion beyond Sea, he ſaid, That he would watch their Supplies, ſo that they ſhould Eat their Nails firſt, and then fee'd upon their Fingers ends.
After the defeat of the Devonſhire Rebels in King Henry 8th's time, one Sr. William Kingſton, who was Proveſt Marſhal, went to Bodmin in Cornwwall, where one Bowyer, the Major, had been enforced to aſſiſt them. To him Sr. William ſent word that he would come and Dine with him; for whoſe Entertainment the Major made great Proviſion. A little before Dinner the Proveſt took the Major aſide and told him, that an Execution muſt that day be done in the Town, and therefore he muſt ſet up two Gallows. The Major did ſo. After Dinner Sr. William thanks him for his Entertainment, and then deſires him to bring him to the Gallows, where, when they were come, Sr. William asked him, whether they were ſtrong enough? I, il'e warrant thee, ſaid the Major: Then (ſaid Sr. William) get you up upon them. I hope (ſaid the Major) you do not think as you ſpeak. Nay Sr, (ſaith he) you muſt Dye; for you have been a buſie Rebel; and ſo without more adoe, hanged him.
A Miller alſo that had been very buſie in that Rebellion, fled, and left another to take his Name upon him. Sr. William calls for the Miller; The Servant tells him, that he was the Man: Then (ſaith he) you muſt be hanged: Oh Sr. (ſaith he) I am not the Miller but his Servant. If you are not the Miller (ſaid Sr. William) you are a lying Knave: If you are the Miller you are a Traytor, and how ever you muſt Dye. And ſo he did.
Sr. Nicholas Bacon, who was Lord Keeper in Queen Elizabeths Days, the Queen coming one day to his Houſe, asked him, why his Houſe was ſo little? He anſwered: Madam, my Houſe is not too little for me, but you have made me too big for my Houſe. He never affected nor attained to a great Eſtate. Mediocra firma, was his Principle, and his Practice. He uſed to ſay, That he would never forgive that Man, that loſeth his Friend to be rid of his jeſt.
William Cecil, Lord Burleigh, never would ſue, nor ever was ſued by Man. Prudens qui patiens, was his ſaying.
Queen Elizabeth coming once to viſit him, being ſick of the Gout at Burleigh- Houſe in the Strand, and ſhe being much heightned with her Head attire then in faſhion, the Lord's ſervant, who conducted her through the Door, ſaid: May your Highneſs be pleaſed to ſtoop? The Queen anſwered: For your Maſters ſake I will ſtoop, but not for the King of Spains.
Some of this wiſe Lord's Sayings were theſe.
The World is a Shop of Inſtruments, whereof the Wiſe man is Maſter; and a Kingdom but a Frame of Engines, whereunto he is the Wheel.
"Smoothneſs declineth Envy and Danger: Humility advanceth to Honour, Moderation preſerves us in it: Men come down by Domineering: Haſte undoeth that which a juſt delay ripeneth.
"It was his excellent Motto,Nolo Minor me timeat deſpiciatve Major.
My Inferiours ſhall not fear; my Superiors ſhall not deſpiſe me.
"Humility ſhuns Honour, and is the way to it. The pureſt Gold is moſt Ductile. It's commonly a good Blade that bends well. The Reed that bends, and is whole, is better than the ſtrong Oak, that, not bending, breaks.
"There is no ſuch prevalent Workman as Sedulity, and Diligence. A man would wonder at the mighty things which have been done by degrees, and gentle Augmentations. Patience, Diligence, and Moderation are the common ſteps to Excellency. It's for Omnipotence to do mighty things in a Moment. But by degrees to grow to greatneſs, is the courſe he hath left for man."
We make our ſelves more injuries than are offered us; and the apprehenſion of wrong doth more harm than the ſmarteſt part of the wrong it ſelf. It's the Wiſe man's Glory, and the Statesmans Prudence, to paſs by offences. A Fool ſtruck Cato in the Bath; and when he was ſorry for it, Cato had forgot it. For (ſaith Seneca) Melius putavit non agnoſcere, quam ignoſcere. Light injuries are made none by not regarding, which, with a purſuing revenge, grow both to height, and burden, and live to miſchief us, when they might die to ſecure us.
The upper Region is moſt compoſed. The Wiſeſt men rage the leaſt, knowing that Obſervation, and Reſentment do but provoke, and encourage the Malice, which neglect and ſilence deads, and diſſipates.
Diſcontent is the greateſt Weakneſs of a generous Soul, which is always ſo intent upon it's unhappineſs, that it forgets it's Remedies.
Faction can be as little ſpared in a Monarchy, as an Eye, or an Ear, as through which the Prince hath a cleerer apprehenſion of his own, and other's affairs, than he can have when his Followers are all agreed. But when Factions are carried too high, and too Violent, it's a ſign of Weakneſs in Princes, and tends much to the Prejudice of their Authority, and Buſineſs. Queen Elizabeth had a happy time of it. if it were but for this; That her Favourers Diviſions were her ſupport: For thereby ſhe attained the knowledge of all things that happened: So as no Suit, or Deſign paſſed the Royal aſſent, before ſhe underſtood as much of Reaſon, as Enemies, or Friends could bring for, or againſt it.
The Lord Willoughby (in Queen Elizabeths days) having taken a Spaniſh Genet, deſigned for a Preſent to that King, and being offered, either a Thouſand pound, or a Hundred pound a year in exchange for it, He nobly anſwered: If it had been a Commander, he would freely have releaſed him: but being only a Horſe, he ſaw no reaſon why he could not keep a good Horſe, as well as the King of Spain himſelf.
It's a right noble Spirit, not to be ſo ſtupid as not to reſent, nor ſo unworthy as to retain a ſenſe of Injuries. To have the Courage to obſerve an affront, is to be even with an Adverſary: To have the Patience to forgive it, is to be above him.
Sr. Henry Wotton, as he was travelling to Rome, asked his Hoſt at Siena (a Man well verſed in men and Buſineſs) what Rules he would give him for his Port, Conduct, and Carriage? There is one ſhort remembrance (ſaid he) will carry you ſafe through the World; nothing but this, Keep your thoughts cloſe, and your Countenance looſe.
Seneca ſaid: That the good things of Proſperity are to be wiſhed, and the good things of Adverſity to be admired. Proſperity (ſaid my Lord Bacon) is the bleſſing of the Old Teſtament, and Adverſity of the New.
We are conſecrated by Dangers to Services; and we know not what we can do, until we have ſeen all we can fear.
The common People (ſaith one) are like Rivers, which ſeldom grow ſo impetuous as to tranſcend the bounds of Obedience, but upon the Over-flowing of a general Oppreſſion.
Good Husbandry may as well ſtand with great Honour, as Breadth may may conſiſt with Height.
Of Edward, Earl of Darby, it is recorded, That when he was buried, no Trades-man could demand the Payment of a Groat that he owed him: Nor a Neighbour the reſtitution of a Penny he had wronged him.
Sr. William Fitz-Williams (a brave Soldier) uſed to ſay: That he durſt never adventure upon War with Men till he had made his Peace with God: That a good Conſcience breeds great Reſolutions, and the innocent Soul is impregnable.
Six things are recorded of him.
1. That he never made the Aged, the Young or the Weak, the Objects of his Rage, that could not be ſo of his Fears.
2. That he never baſely killed in cold Blood them that had nobly eſcaped his Sword in Hot.
3. That he never led the Soldiers without pay, or quartered in the Country without Money.
4. That tho he was ſecond to none that acted in the War (ſuch was his Valour) yet he was the firſt that ſpake for Peace (ſuch his ſweet Diſpoſition)
5. That he would never ſuffer a Clergy-Man ſhould be abuſed; A Church to be violated, or the Dead to be un-buried.
6. That he would never force an Enemy unto neceſſity; always ſaying: Let us diſarm them of their beſt Weapons, Deſpair. Not fight an Enemy before he had Skirmiſhed him; Nor undertake a Deſign before he Conſulted his God, his Council, his Friends, his Map, and his Hiſtory.
Sr. Walter Mildmay coming to the duplicate page duplicate page Court after he had founded his Colledge [Emanuel in Cambridg] Queen Elizabeth ſaid to him: Sr. Walter, I hear that you have erected a Puritan Foundation. No Madam (ſaid he) far be it from me to Countenance any thing contrary to your Eſtabliſhed Laws: But I have ſet an Acron, which, when it comes to be an Oak, God alone knows what will be the Fruit of it.
The middle Region of the Air is cooleſt, as moſt diſtant from the direct Beams that warm the Higheſt, and the reflexed, that heat the loweſt. The mean man that is as much below the Favour of the Court as above the Buſineſs of the Country, is the moſt happy, and Compoſed man: This being the utmoſt of a knowing Man's wiſh in England: That he were as much out of the reach of Contempt, as to be above a Conſtable; and as much out of the Compaſs of trouble, as to be below a Juſtice.
There is a Glory in the obſcurity of worthy Men, who, as the Sun (which they equal as well in common Influence as Luſtre) are moſt looked on when Eclipſed.
Cloths for neceſſity, warm Cloths for Health, cleanly for Decency, laſting for Strength, was the Maxim, and Practice of Judg Manwood; inſomuch as Queen Elizabeth called him her Good-man Judg.
Tullies Offices (a Book which Boys read, and men underſtand) was ſo eſteemed by the Lord Burleigh, that to his dying Day, he always carried it about him, either in his Boſom, or in his Pocket, as a complete Piece that, like Ariſtotle's Rhetorick, would make both a Schollar, and an honeſt Man. Cicero's magnificent Orations againſt Anthony, Cataline, and Verres, Caeſar's great Commentaries, which he wrote with the ſame Spirit that he fought. Flowing Livy: Grave, Judicious, and Stately Tacitus: Eloquent, but faithful Curtius: Brief, and rich Saluſt: Prudent, and brave Xenophon, whoſe Perſon was Themiſtocles's Companion, as his Book was Scipio Affricanus his Pattern in all his Wars: Ancient, and ſweet Herodotus: Sententious, and obſerving Thucidides: Various, and uſeful Polybius: Siculus: Halicarnaſſus: Trogus: Oroſius: Juſtine, made up Sr. Henry Killigrew's retinue in all his Travels, in Queen Elizabeths Reign; where he ſat on the Stage of human Life, obſerving the great Circumſtances of Places, Perſons, Times, Manners, Occaſions, &c. and was made wife by their Example, who had trod the Path of Error and Danger before him.