THE Choise of Change Containing the Triplicitie of Diuinitie Philosophie and Poetrie short for memorie Profitable for Knowledge and necessarie for Maners Whereby the learned may be confirmed the ignorant instructed and all men generally recreated Newly set foorth by S. R. Gent. and student in the Vniuersitie of Cambridge Tâ—ia sunt omnia AT LONDON Printed by Roger Warde dwelling neere Holborne Conduite An. Dom 〈…〉 TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE SIR HENRY HERBERT Knight of the most noble order of the Garter Lorde of Cardiffe mannor and S. Quintin and Earle of Pembrocke the right worshipfull Sir PHILIP SIDNEI knight with the right worthy Gentleman M. Robert Sidney Esquire S. R. wisheth increase of vertuous qualities in the minde of the giftes of the body and goods of Fortune RIght Honorable and Worshipful If I should follow the custome of â—uch as set forth bookes to the viewe of the world which passe vnder the protection of noble personages besides the dread of offending wise men I should run into one of these three errours either to praise your H. and W. by adulation praise my selfe by ostentation or praise my worke by seeking to bring men into admiration I purpose none of all these The first I leaue least my wordes should empaire your worthines The second I refrain because I find nothing in my self which can deserue praise The third I will avoide for if my labor hath bene so wel imployed as it may please you right H. and W it is able enough to praise it selfe I therefore present these my three bookes of Diuinitie Philosophie and Poetrie comprized together in one volume vnto you three right H. and W. who are linked vnited together in an indissoluble band of amitie fraternitie humbly requesting that you will countenance theÌ„ with fauour patronage them by your authoritie that therby they may eschew the reproches of malitious tongues and bleare the enuious eies of such as prie at other mens faultes in the water which cause things seeme bigger then they be but regard their owne faultes as through small nets which cause things to seeme lesse In so doing you shall giue me cause to reioice in my trauell and occasion by thankfulnes to acknowledge my bounden duetie Thus leauing your Honour and Worships to the direction of the Almightie I cease referring my selfe to your good opinions Your Honor and Worships to commaund S. R. TO THE READER 1 HE that knoweth not that he ought to knowe is a brute beast among men 2 He that knoweth no more then he hath neede of is a man among brute beastes 3 He that knoweth all that may be knowne is a God among men 1 Reade willingly 2 Correct friendly 3 Iudge indifferently THE FIRST HVNDRETH OF THE Triplicitie of Diuinitie 1 Three things doe witnes the worde of God to be true and of great authoritie THe historie of the world comprehended in the holy scripture Many notable and strange reuelations The miracles of the Church which do coÌ„firme the word 2 The preaching of the worde of God is comprehended in three things In doctrine In consolation In precepts 3 The holy Scripture is diuided into three parts Into histories Into precepts Into prophesies Histories consist in those things which are done Precepts in those thinges which are commanded Prophesies in foreshewinge things which either are alreadie come to passe or shall hereafter be fulfilled 4 Thrée good things are set forth in the scripture which the Philosophers neuer attained vnto The true knowledge of god and calling on of his name True comfort in aduersitie The way to liue well and worship God aright 5 Thrée things are most certain in the word of God Promises Prophesies Threatnings 6 There be thrée singuler things proper to the Scripture Hugo Whatsoeuer is taught is trueth without falshood Whatsoeuer is commanded is goodnesse without malice Whatsoeuer is promised is happinesse without miserie 7 The word of God was reuealed for thrée causes To be learned To be beleeued To be practised 8 There are three vnderstandings of yâ— scriptures set down by Hugo in his third booke of the sâ—ule Historicall Misticall The first containing examples fit for the simple The second mysteries fit for the learned By miracles By Figures By words The third manners common for both Morall 9 All Scripture giuen by inspiration as Paule saith 2. Tim. 3. is profitable to thrée To teach To improue and correct To instruct in righteousnes 10 There be thrée kinds of meditations in contemplation Hugo In creatures In scriptures The first ariseth of admiration The second of reading Admiration bringeth Question Question searching out Readinge mynistreth matter to know yâ— truth circuÌ„spectioÌ„ bringeth operatioÌ„ Operation is yâ— end of Meditation The thirde of circumspection In maners 11 Thrée waies God spake vnto our forefathers as Luther is witnes in his exposition vppon the xxxv chap. of Gen. By dreames By manifest visions By the voices of prophâ— 12 The holy scripture is diuided into 3. partes The law The prophets The gospell 13 S. Paule in his thrée epistles to the Romanes Galathians Ephesians teacheth thrée things He sheweth that all men are sinners He teacheth that man is iustified by faith onely without the workes of the law He prescribeth them that are iustified to do good works by Gods law 14 Three thinges make men suspect the Epistle of Iude not to be Canonicall The narration of the strife of Michaell the Archangell with the deuill The narration of the bodie of Moses The prophesie of Enoch 15 There are three sayinges founde in S. Paule his Epistles which are borowed of Heathen Antiquaries Of Meander Euill wordes corrupt good maners 1. Cor. 5. ver 33 Of Aratus Couetousnes is the roote of all euils 1. Tim. 6. ver 10. Of Epimenides Cretians are alwaies lyers euill beasts now bellies Tit. 1. ver 12 16 Three thinges chiefly to bee obserued in the olde and newe Testament Faith that we may beléeue those things to be true which Moses yâ— Prophets Christ and his apostles haue spoken by the inspiration of the holy ghost Hope that with a stedfast beliefe we maye assure our selues that wee shall obtaine those things that are promised Charitie that we neither doe nor say any thing but yâ— which is acceptable to God and profitable to men 17 For three causes the worde of God is to be preached That the hearers may vnderstand because without preaching he cannot heare That he which vnderstandeth may beleue because without hearing he caÌ„not beleue That he which beléeueth may do good because without faith he can not do good 18 For three causes wee ought to bee attentiue in hearing the word of God For the reuerence due to God whose word we come to heare That wee may auoide the dangers of negligence For the profite which is manifold 19 There be thre inuisible vertues of God Power Wisdom Gf yâ— which al things proceed In the whiche all things censist The Father is power The sonne is wisedome Power
With lawes 34 Euill men doe persecute the good three manner of waies By hatred of their hearts By iniuries in deedes God commaundeth that wee resist them which three contrary things With loue of hart wheÌ„ he saith loue your enemies With giuing bene fits when he saith doe good to them that hate you with praying for theÌ„ when he saith pray for theÌ„ which reuile persecute you By reuyling wordes 55 Three things to be knowen and marked coÌ„cerning superstition That it doth spring of true godlinesse and diuers wayes doeth weary mens minds That it doth vaunt of the title of true religion and doeth allure multitudes of people vnto it and doeth gouern them It atributeth a certain vertue vnto things without Gods ordinaÌ„ce or naturall reason 36 Magical blessings or enchantings do differ froÌ„ the blessings of the Patriarchs thrée manner of waies Magicians are not called of God to blesse They abuse good wordes and wrest them to another end then God hath appointed They haue no promise that their endeuour shall take effect 37 The proud mans hart is destitute of thrée good things It is hardened and wanteth godlines It is voyde of Contrition It is dry wanting the dew of spirituall grace 38 Three horrible thinges may be noted in a proude man That he striueth against God That he will make him selfe equall with God By transgressing Gods coÌ„mandements By desiring to be almightie as God is In that he will haue his own coÌ„maÌ„dement obserued though it bee coÌ„trary to gods coÌ„mandement That he exalteth himself That he exalteth himself aboue God 39 Three things being thought vppon shoulde abate the pride of man Our birth which is lamentable because we are borne in sinne Our life which is nothing els but labour and griefe and subiect to many inconueniences Our death which is terrible especially because we shall be consumed with wormes 40 Three partes of repentance Contrition Gonfession In the hart In the mouth Because we be seene with the hart vnto righteousnes Because we confesse with the mouth vnto saluatioÌ„ Rom. 10. ver 10. Because the offence is not forgiuen before restitution be made In workes Satisfaction 41 Pride is an exalting of the minde which doeth raise it selfe aboue our Creation Vocation Humane condition 42 By the shameful falles of three it doth appeare that security hath no place to rest in Neither in heauen In paradise In heaueÌ„ lucifer sinned through securitie In paradise AdaÌ„ sinned through securitie In yâ— world Iudas being one of Christ his disciples sinned thorow securitie Nor in the worlde 43 Thrée things in Christ worthy to be woÌ„dered at The examples of his life His words of wisdome Whereby he edified the enuious Wherby he instructed the ignorant Wherby he did conuert the vnbeléeuers The maruels of his glorie 44 Three benefices which wee haue receiued ought to moue vs dayly and hourely to giue thaÌ„ks vnto God Our creation Our redemption Our iustification 45 Let vs giue thankes to God al the day lonâ—â—â—d especially to acknowledge three benefits Because hee hath sanctified vs beeing vncleane Because we haue receiued those thinges of his maiestie which we had not Bicause he hath giueÌ„ vnto vs those things which we neuer deserued 46 The thankesgiuing of thrée sorts of men ought deseruedly to he reprehended Of hipocrites which is fained Of worldlings which is for custome sake Of such as are newly recouered of a sickenes which is wont to be very short 47 Preaching is vsed for three purposes That God may be feared That God may be known and his wil fulfilled That many may be made inheritors of eternall life 48 Thrée kindes of confession in the holy scriptures Confessioâ— of praise Confession of trueth Confession of a fault 49 Three effectes of confessing the trueth A confirming of the doctrine sent from heauen A strengthening of those which are weake in faith Testimonies of the iudgment to come and eternall life 50 Christ in the fift ot Mathew commaundeth vs not to sweare by 3. thinges By heauen By earth Because it is that throne of God Because it is his footstoole Because man cannot make on white hair or one blacke By our head 51 For 3. causes as Augustine saith it seemes that we shoulde not sweare at all Least we should take a facility in swearing Least our facilitie bring vs to a custome of swearing Least by that custome we fall into that daÌ„ger which is prouided for swearers 52 For 3. causes we may lawfully sweare That God may be worshipped glorified Esa 19. ver 8. 1. King 22 ver 14. That trueth may be maintâ—â—ned That Iunocentes being 〈…〉 nuented by crafte may be deliuered from danger 53 Thrée things to be obserued in othes We must not vse all maner of othes We must not vse them alwaies We must not vse them for light occasions 54 By 3. maner of wayes men forsweare them selues Either when they deceiue or are deceiued When they thinke that to be false whiche is true Or when they think that to be true which is false 55 Thrée things are like othes Vowes Couenantes Promises 56 The 4. commaundement of those ten which were deliuered vnto Moses was appointed to be kept for thrée causes To signifie vnto vs the spirituall rest To maintaine ecclesiastical gouernment That cattel and seruantes might cease froÌ„ their labour 57 Thrée principall holidayes on which the Iewes vsed to goe vp to Ierusalem On Easter day On Whitsonday otherwise caled the feast of Pentecost On the day of the feast of tabernacles which was wont to be obserued the 15 of Sept. 58 We ought to méete togither on those dayes whiche by the church are appointed holidayes for thrée causes That me may heare the word of God That we may pray vnto him That we may confirm our faith with the Sacramentes 59 Thrée things which as Luther affirmeth wil destroy christian religion Forgetfulnesse of benifits which we haue receiued by the Gospell Mans wisdome which â—il bring al things in order and with euill counsaile make common quietnes Securitie which reigneth here and there and in euerie place 60 Three kinde of hearers of the worde of GOD are praise worthie They which listen attentiuely They which lay it vp in their heart They which shew foorth the fruits thereof in their life 61 The knowledge of 3. things very necessary for a christian To knowe God To knowe his will To knowe himselfe 62 Thrée most necessary things for a christian man True repentance Feruent praier Patience 63 The whole life of Christians as Melancthon teacheth ought to bee directed vnto three purposes That God may be glorified That the Church may be beautified That we our selues in the Church seruing God may looke for eternall rewardes 64 Thrée thinges in a Christian whiche must agree together That his light may shine before God and men Faith Doctrine and Life 65 S. Paule vnto Titus chap. 2. saieth that a Christian ought to liue 3. manner of waies Soberly Honestly Discréetly 66
good shoulde be created of God that is good Wherefore hee made it 81 The whole worlde hath bene three times ruled by 3 lawes The lawe of nature The lawe of Moses Sixe thousande yeres the world shall endure theÌ„ be burned saith Elias 2000. before the lawe 2000 vnder the lawe 2000 vnder the Gospell But for yâ— elect sake these last daies shal be shortned The lawe of the Gospell 82 Faith as August saith is of 3 thinges and times Of things past We beleeue that Christ is dead which is past Of things present We beleue that Christ sitteth at the right hand of his Father which is present Of things to come We beléeue that he shall come to iudgement which is to come 83 Beliefe is of three sortes To beléeue that there is a God is of knowledge To beléeue God is to consent to his trueth To beleeue in God is to haue true confidence in his mercie 84 There be 3 kindes of knowledge To learne to knowe onely for knowledge sake To learne to knowe to that ende to bee knowen of others The first curiositie The second vaine glorie The thride perfect charitie To learne to knowe that thou maist be edified 85 Faith and hope differ in three things In obiectes Faith appreheÌ„deth a present benefit Hope looketh for one to come In offices Faith apprehendeth the promise made by Christ which neither hope nor other workes can doe In subiectes Faith is a knowledge in the mind and trust in the will Hope is in the will and in the hart 86 Faith excéede three thinges as Bernard saith The end of mans reason The vse of nature The bondes of experience 87 Thée thinges without all doubt are to be hoped for of God Pardon Grace Pardon of our sinnes Grace in regeneration Glorie after resurrection Glorie 88 Three things in which our whole hope consisteth In the loue of adoption In the truth of Christ his promises In the power of his redemption 89 The hope of the wicked may bee compared to three things To dust scatered in the winde To smoke flying in the ayre To a guest departing the same day that he cam 90 Charitie is of three sorts Towards God Towardes our selues Towards our neihbous 91 Our neighbour though he be euill must be loued for 3. causes For Gods sake For his own sake If thou louest God thou wilt loue his sonne also If thou louest thy brother when he is in health thou wilt loue him also being diseased Thou shalt loue him that thou mayest gaine his loue which seeketh hurt to thee For thine own sake â—2 Golde and charitie are compared together three manner of waies As golde doeth excell all mettals so charitie doth excell all vertues As golde is rare and deare so likewise is charitie As gold is more faire and durable then other mettals so farre charitie endureth 93 The humble maâ— efcheweth three vices Singularitie whereby a man will bee accounted more holy Arragancie whereby a man doth set foorth himselfe aboue others PresumptioÌ„ whereby a man doth account him selfe fit for greater matters then in deede he is fit for 94 Patience doeth suffer any paine for three things God and Godlinesse Faith and religion Vertues and lawes 95 By three maner of meanes the vertue of patience is exercised Of God we suffer punishments Of the deuil temptations Wherein we must take heere That we do not murmure against god for our afflictioÌ„s That the temptations of the deuil cause vs not to consent to sinne That the mischife of our neighbor prouoke vs not to requite euill Of our Neighbors persecutions losse reproch 96 These 3. thinges are a great praise in the iust To holde his peace when his seruant reuileth him If he forbeare him that is sicke when hee offereth iniurie If he make no answere to a poore maÌ„ charging him with vntruth 97 Patience is a great vertue for 3. things If thou hurtest not him of whoÌ„ thou wast first borne If thy selfe being hurt thou doest forgiue him If thou fearest him whom thou couldest haue hurt 98 Three examples of patience in the scripture Of Iob Iames 5. you haue heard of the patience of Iob and sene his end Of Christ the only paterne of patience 1. Cor. 1. 1 Pet. 2. Of Lazarus which bare patiently infamie diseases and contempt Luk. 16. 99 A good life consisteth in these three things To eschew euil To do good To perseuer in goodnes to the end 100 Perseuerance hath affinitie with these three It is the sister of patience The daughter of constancie In aduersitie In labour I prosperitie The friend of peace THE SECOND HVNDRETH OF THE â—riplicitie of Diuinitie 1 Three things are comprehended in the knowledge of God TO know who God is namely the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost To beleeue in him To direct and gouerne our life accordinge to his will 2 Abraham receiued 3. Aungels into his house and they talked familiarly with thrée persons of the same house With Abraham the master of the house With Sara his wife With their maide Hagar 3 Three things which the deuil will not graunt That Christ is the sonne of God Hee cannot abide that Christ shoulde be man Hee will not confesse that Christe hath done those thinges which in trueth hee hath done 4 Three things chiefly to be remembred Gods benefites that wee maye render thanks Our sinnes that we may be sorie for them Our death that we may be carefull to liue well 5 Poore men are more easily coÌ„uerted vnto God then rich men for 3. causes Because pride is annexed with riches and as Gregorie noteth Pride of minde is a hinderance vnto truth Because the hart of a rich man is full of the cares of this world which choke the worde of God Because rich meÌ„ haue temporal comfortes and therefore do little regarde spirituall consolation 6 Our olde aduersarie the deuill is bound with three things When our minde being tempted doeth not consent to euill and take delight therein When we can so rule our minde that wee hate not our neighbour when he speaketh reprochfull words against vs. When we can so gouerne our minde that wee murmure not against God when he punisheth vs for our desertes 7 Three weapons where with we may repulse the deuil The worde of God Faith in Christ Iesus Feruent praier 8 Saint Ierome saith that wee ought only to boast of one thing which is that we knowe God aright not of those 3. things which worldlings do glorie in Wisedome Strength Richesse 9 To loue God with all our heart with all our soule with all our might consisteth in 3. thinges Not to be led away with slattery Not to be seduced with deceites Not to be ouercome with iniuries 10 We must praise God with three instruments Our mouth Our hart For it is the instrument wherewith he will be glorified Singing and giuing thankes in hart vnto God Let your light so shine before men that they may sée your good works
glorifie your father which is in heauen Math. 5 ver 16. and chap. 7. ver 21. Rom. 2. ver 23. Our workes 11 The feare of God worketh 3. things It correcteth our minds It driueth away sinnes It preserueth innocencie 12 God is to be feared for 3. causes Because the house of him that feareth not God shal soone be ouerthrowne Eccles 27. Because he that feareth not God shall dwell in places where shal be no regard of knowledge Because that God is able to cast both bodie and soule into hell fire Math. 10. Luk. 12. 13 Thrée causes which mooue vs to feare God Al calamities which happen vnto maÌ„kind death diseases destructions of cities and nations hunger wars c. Also dreadfull punishments which afflict the wicked shewing that god is angry with sinners All the erhortations of the prophetes vnto repentaunce The lawe of God and the horrible curses which are added vnto the law The death of the sonne of God 14 About the time that the worlde shall haue end men shall be euil inclined 3. maner of waies They shall be louers of themselues following pleasure and riotousnes They shall be gréedie and couetous They shal be high minded and proud 15 Thrée sorts of people are called to religion One sort God calleth by holy inspirations Another sort is chosen of men by good counsels as Hippolito was conuerted to the Faith by the instructions of Saint Laurence The third sort is constrained to enter into religion by some necessitie or misaduenture happened vnto them 16 Humilitie is a vertue which doth chiefly comprehende three things Humilitie acknowledgeth our own vncleanes and infirmitie and doth feare God She doth not desire matters aboue her vocation but keeping her selfe within her bounds she resteth hoping in Gods help She doth not despise others that are Gods instruments but acknowledgeth Gods gifts in them knowing that all labour is in vaine vnlesse he prosper it 17 He that is humble and lowly as he ought doth reape triple commoditie He hath God dwelling with him The humble man is honored of men they alwaies giue him a good report He alone hath the fruit therof because humilitie is the mother of shamefastnes that way of patience which leadeth to wisedome the keeper of feare and faith 18 The tokens of true humilitie consiste in 3. things In behauiour In words He that is humble in mind body doth shew that same by loking stedfastly vpon the ground and in not laughing without great cause He speaketh few words and soft holdeth his peace vntill he be asked He doth nothing but that which is agreable with good maners that without pride In déedes 19 Patience doth comprehende and signifie three things A stedfastnesse of the mind suffring any affliction or contumelious reproches without murmuring or repining A reuenge giuing a deadly wound heaping coles of fire vpoÌ„ our enimies heads A close martering not without rewards 20 When wee suffer anye crosse or affliction we must be patient for 3. causes That wee maye followe the example of Christ Because God hath so commaunded That we may gather the fruites of patience 21 Christ commaundeth in the 5. chap. of Math. â—hat we should not resist eull and by 3. precepts doth exhort vs vnto patience He commaÌ„deth that whosoeuer shal strike thee on the right cheeke to turne to him the other also He commandeth if any man wil sue thée at the law and take away thy coate to let him haue thy cloke also He commandeth that whosoeuer wil compell thee to goe a mile to go with him twaine 22 We must suffer 3. kindes of euill patiently Necessarie euils such as can neither be altred nor amended nor hindered Accidental euils which haue not happened vnto vs by our own euill counsell Such euils as we haue deserued 23 The reward of patience 1. Iames. 1. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation for when he is tryed he shall receiue the crowne of life which the Lord hath promised to them that loue him Prou. 19. A mans knowledge is perceiued by his patience 1. Pet. 2. If when yee doe well yee suffer wrong and take it patiently this is acceptable to God 24 Thrée things direct vs in the right path and suffer vs not to goe astray Loue which banisheth all wearines causeth all labour trauell to seeme easie Hope of promise or reward Faith which is grounded vpon promises and beleeueth in God 25 Vnlesse the spirite of God do establish and seale our mindes that they may continue stedfast in faith we shal be ouercome by one of these three things Either by sathan who is furnished with a thousand artes sleightes and deceites to entrap vs Or by our owne frowardnes inconstancie which is easily seduced by euil examples Or by persecution affliction which cause vs despaire throwe our selues headlong into hell 26 Three chiefe rewards of per seuerance A crowne of life Apoc. 3. A plentifull reward in heauen Life euerlasting Math. 24. He that endâ—reth to the end shal be saued 27 Three things wherwith we may comfort our selues being in tribulaiion That the sonne of God is our aduocate our mediator and maketh intercession for vs. Luk. 2. Ioh. 17. That he will not suffer vs to be tempted aboue our power 1. Cor. 10. ver 13. That he heareth our praiers and will helpe vs in time of need 28 Three properties that belong to Epicures They neither feare nor reuerence God and estéeme all godlinesse as a mokery They offer sacrifice vnto their guttes other God they knowe not Neither griefe nor feare can compell them to be carefull for the time present or to come 29 Three kinds of doubting repugnant to faith To doubt of God To doubt of his prouidence To doubt of the certaintie of that doctrine which the Prophets and Apostles deliuered 30 All idols had their originall oâ— three things Of superstition Of wicked imitation Of flattery 31 Three efficient causes of Idolatrie The deuill fretting with hellish heat and haggish hate and prouoking mans miserable nature to deuise idoles thereby to haue God in derision The blindnesse of mens mindes and boldnesse to reiect the worde which hath bene deliuered by the Prophets and Apostles and deuising strange opinions and worshipping of God after their own pleasure A perswasion of wisdom and a good intent which not content with the word of God onely doeth imagine it can inuent more excellent kindes of worship 32 Three causes why Idolatry should be abolished Because it is sinne against the first commaundement not to abolish images Iudges 2. Because not being abolished they trouble the church of God 3 King 18 Elias saith I haue not troubled Israell c. The are to be abolished for feare of punishment because God is angry with idolaters and will punish them Deuteron 4 Hos 2. and 7. 33 We must fight with three sorts of weapons against heretikes With prayers With learning To conuert them To conuince them To condemne them
Christian Wisedome to knowe what belongeth to God that we may desire heauenly things Vnderstanding for the world that we may learne to despise it Foreknowledge of our death that while we liue we may liue to God 99 For 3 causes it was necessary that Christ should rise again the third day That the prophesie might be fulfilled Hos 6. verse 2. That his bodie should not corrupt Psal 16. verse 14. That the omnipotencie of his Diutnitie might be linked with his humanitie 100 Thre argumentes and testimonies agaynst the Anabaptistes to prooue that Christ was borne of the flesh of the Virgine Marie Of the promises made vnto Abraham and our fore fathers Gen. 22. verse 18. item 26. verse 3. And in thy séede shall all the nations of the earth bee blessedâ— All such promises shoulde be false if Christ had not come out of the wombe of the Virgine Marie It is necssarythat Christ should take flesh of the virgin Marie seeing in many places of the scripture he calleth himselfe the sonne of man It is manifest in the first chapter of the epistle of S. Paule to the Romans verse 3. the wordes be these Who was borne of the seede of Dauid according to the fleshe THE FIRST HVNDRETH OF THE Triplicitie of Philosophie 1 The whole course of mans life consisteth in these three TO be borne wéeping To liue laughing To die fighing 2 Hee is worthyly called a wise man Which remembreth things past Which marketh the course of thinges present Which foreséeth things to come 3 Three thinges obtaine great frendship Faire spéech in presence Good report in absence Faithfulnes in frendship 4 Thrée sortes of men differ in wishing The ambitious The base minded Wisheth so much that for it hee is hated Craueeh so little that euery maÌ„ ouercroweth him Desireth a meane with loue The vertuous 5 Thrée sorts of men accounted happie in this world He that oweth nothing A man single and not maried He that hath new buried his riâ—h parents 6 Three sortes of men wofull to be scene A rich man fallen into pouertie A vertuous man dispraised A wise man scorned of the ignorant 7 Three thinges which euery man doth in respecte of his enimies He feares He hates Whom he feares Whom he hates he bewares Whom he bewares he seekes his destruction He bewars 8 Plutarch doth require these 3 things in a young man Temperance in his minde Silence in his tongue Bashfulnes in his countenance 9 The art of gouernment was Found out Defended By experience By science By prudence Conserued 10 Pride is noted in a man by 3. things To shew a certaine statelines in going To disdaine his companions and equals To separate himselfe from the companie of others with a vaine kind of selfeloue 11 Three causes why a man may be earnest in giuing good counsell because It is an easie thing Of little cost And the best gift a man can giue vnto his friend 12 Thrée desires amongst freÌ„ds To enioy health To possesse honour Not to suffer necessitie 13 Three soueraigne plaisters for a heart which is greeued Temperance Time Forgetfulnes 14 Three things good for euery man To vnderstand well To speake better To doe best of all 15 Alphonsus king of Aragon vsed to thanke God most hartily especially for 3. causes For that he made him a man not a brute beast For that he was a christian For that he was Prince and ruler ouer so many countries 16 Plato at the point of death yeelded thanks vnto nature for 3. causes That he was borne a man and not a beast For that he was a Grecian borne and not a Barbarian That it was his chance to liue in the time of Socrates 17 Aristotle that philosopher approching vnto death his scholers requested him to vnter some sententious saying vnto them in stéed of a last wil test ament who sighing saide I came huÌ„bled into this world Here I haue liued carefully I depart troubled being vnskilfull and ignorant 18 As dogs be like wolues so three sorts of meÌ„ are like friendes Parasites Flatterers Fawne for the belly Cosen for the coyn e. Dissemble in religion Hypocrittes 19 The couetous maÌ„ doeth alwaies â—ffende three persons God His neighbour From God he withholdeth his right He denieth things necessary vnto his neighbour Vnthankful to God Wicked to his neghbour Cruell to him selfe He keepeth that which is 〈◊〉 needefull from himselfe Him selfe 20 Euill counsellors teach a yong and vnskilful prince 3. things which after ward hurt him and his subiects much To prefer Profite before honestie Gaine before vertue Tyrannie before modestie 21 A good counseller shoulde be furnished with these 3. Experience of many thinges True loue towardes him vnto whome he ministreth counsell Libertie to speake freely 22 Three things ought to bee considered in a witnesse The nature The condition That a witnes be a maÌ„ and not a womaÌ„ for women are diuers in constant in their reporte That he be frée not a boÌ„dslaue for he wil conceale a trueth for feare of his masters displesure That he be innocent not infamous for iustice will not accompany a wicked man The life 23 We ought to beare 3 sortes of affection towards him that is conuicted of a crime Loue. Hatred CoÌ„sidering his nature we ought to loue him because he is a man Considering his fault which he hath coÌ„mitted we should hate him Considering that paine which he must suffer for his fault we ought to pitie him Pitie 24 No man ought to praise himself nor desire to be praised for 3. causes For if he respect the time he hath passed he shall finde that he hath done many thinges for which he ought to be sory If he consider of the time to come he shal perceiue many imminent dangers whereof he should be afraid If he regard yâ— preseÌ„t time he shal find many defects much want in himselfe which minister occasion of bashfulnesse 25 Vpon 3 occasions men vse to excuse themselues for not doing thinges which they were enioyned to doe Either when they are weary would rest Or when that which is appointed doeth seeme to be hard and difficult Or when it seemeth to be vnfruitefull and vnprofitable 26 For three causes wee ought to vse fewe words Because of manye wordes proceede many faults Because it is a signe of Foolishnesse to vse many words Socrates the Philosopher holding his peace amongst coÌ„pany being asked why he did so answered Because I haue bene sory sometimes for speaking but neuer for holding my peace Solon the Philosopher being sileÌ„t when other men talked one demanded of him whether he held his peace for want of wordes to speake or for that he was a foole He answered No foole â—an hold his peace Xenocrates the Philosopher sayd vnto one yâ— was a great babler If you hard your selfe with my eares you would hold your peace Because many words are the causes of discontentment displeasing 27 Those which are angry make
smalle account of 3 thinges which should be highly esteemed Olde age which ought to be reuerenced Affinitie of kinred Benefits which are past 28 Those iudges can not iudge vprightlye which either Suffer themselues to be corrupted with giftes Are moued with â—uthoritie Will requtie frendship or reuenge enmitie 29 Our minde must be preserued from three things Anger Hatred Fretteth Consumeth Puffeth vs vp with pride Glorie 30 A guiltie conscience worketh 3. miracles It maketh the heauen earth though they were x. times greater then they be to be narrower then a mouse hole It causeth strong men to be so fearefull that they are aâ—tonished at the shaking of a leafe It stirreth vp the little dog which though it hath slept al his life time yet at his death it barkes is in the stead of a thousand witnesses 31 Three thinges make a man very sorrowfull That he must die That he knowes not when That after death he knowes not where 〈…〉 shall be 32 Three powers of the soule assigned vnto three partes of the bodie Reason to the head Anger other perturbations to the heart Lust and concupiscence to the liuer 33 Three instrumentes of mens actions Sence Vnderstanding Appetite 34 The countrey life is maistresse of three things Frugalitie Diligence Iustice 35 The whole life of man passeth away with doing three vnnecessary things A great part with doing euill A greater doing nothing The greatest with doing things to smallâ— purpose 36 Al men are busied about one of these 3 things Honestie Profite Pleasure 37 The Sunne hath 3. titles atttributed vnto it It is called The eye of the worlde The pleasure of the day The beautie of heauen 38 The Astronomers testifie that there commeth profite from the Sunne 3. maner of wayes By influence By motion By light 39 The world is likened to the sca for 3 causes Bec ause Swelleth Burnes With pride With couetousnesse With lust and riot Fometh 40 We ought to rule our â—ong in speaking 3. maner of wayes To speake but little of the nobler sort To speake well of all men To speake nothing in commendation of our selues 41 Hée that will liue in quiet must frame himself to 3. things To Heare Sée And say nothing 42 Democritus the Philosopher is thought to haue thrust out his owne eies for 3. occasions Because his sighte did hinder his inwarde meditations Because he coulde not looke on women without lusting after them Because he could not patiently abide to beholde the florishing estate of wicked men 43 The Philosopher Aristotle beleeued but 3 thinges That which he touched with his hand That which he sawe with his eies That which he could co mprehend in argument 44 Hope is good for 3 causes It is aremedy in aduersitie wiping teares froÌ„ the eies for hope only doth sustaine theÌ„ whome iniurous fortune doeth oppresse It nourisheth the life promising better successe to morrowe It leaueth not a man athis death but exalteth his harte to immortalltie 45 Hope doeth comfort 3. sortes of men of whome others are past hope Him whome the Phisitions haue giuen ouer Him that is bound cast into a deepe dongeon Him that hath suffred shipwracke being tossed with waues hope perswades to cast his armes abroade 46 Hope is misliked of some men Plato and Pindarus call it a dreame of him that waketh Cato saith that it maketh great things small and small things nothing Another saith that it is a griefe and an vnprofitable burden which wanteth euent 47 Thrée things to be noted coÌ„cerning the affection of loue To loue them which hate vs is a deuine vertue To loue them that loue vs again is a common thing amonst men But to hate them that loue vs is worse theÌ„ brute beastlynesse 48 Three things requisite in al good works Knowledge how to do them Power able to do them Will to be readie to do them 49 Three guides to pouertie Gluttonie Sloth Whoredome 50 Three things worthy praise are attributed vnto perseueraÌ„ce Cicero saith it is a stedfast and continuall vpholder of that which is grounded vpoÌ„ reason It doth search out the truth and follow it alwaies It cannot be altered to departe from the truth neither by fauour allurements nor giftes 51 Thrée most daÌ„gerous things will not alter the mind of a iust man being resolute in his purpose from the state of stedfastnes Horace Not the rage of citizens commanding that which is euil Not the puffed and swolne countenance of a terrible tyrant Nor Iupiters thunderboltes the gates of hel no though the world should be turned topsi-turuie 52 Three abhominable sayings of the Epicures There is no pleasure after death A vengeance on him that careth for to morow Neither feare thou the latter day nor wish for it 53 Three causes why men loue â—â—e another One loueth because he is loued An other because hee is aduanced to honour The third because he looketh for some benefit at his hands whom he loueth 54 Prid doth studie to conioine 3. things her with selfe Power Nobilitie Riches 55 Thre things which Phytagoras chiefly wished for himselfe Beautie Riches Health 56 S. Ierome writing to Ruffinus saith That a friend Is long sought for Scarcely to be found And hard to be kept 57 Phauorinus writing of ambitious persons saith that Some be scoffers Which ambitiously attempts high matters Which haue obtained things too good for their degrees Which are deceiued by hope Some full of hate Some be miserable 88 Three things which cause a man keepe his frends If he giue much If he aske litle If he take nothing 59 Thrée things which we ought to take in good woorth of our friend A gift His good will His counsell 60 The minde which is couetous of money knoweth Neither howe to abstaine from that which is forbidden Nor how to reioice in that which is graunted Neither howe to frame it selfe vnto goodnes 61 Cicero saith that he is wont to be called a thriftie fellow Which neither for feare doeth forsake his fortresse which is the part of a coward Neither for couetousnesse doeth not restore that which was closely committed vnto him which is a point of iniustice Neither rashly hath misbehaued himselfe which is starke foolishnes 92 You may marke thrée things in slaunderers They are vaine in hart They haue lyes in their mouth Their throtes are open sepulchers breathing out filthy abhominable spéeches which seeme to infect the aire euen like the stench of dead bodies 63 Such as are hearers of slanderers as Philostratus witnesseth are Louers of many wordes Followers of lightnes and crudelitie Enuious hearers of iust matters 64 Trueth is likened vnto these 3. thinges The light The smell For the light is pleasaÌ„t vnto him that hath a cleare sight but offensiue to one that is pore blinde The smell which is comfortable to man will either driue away or kill a serpent Bread is sauory to a sound taste but vnsauorie to him that hath a sore mouth The Taste 65 Hatred