conueniensque a stedfast and a conuenient affection of the mind makinge them commendable in whome it persisteth But of Aristotle it is defined Habitus animi iudicio susceptus in mediocritate positus A custome of the minde enterprised through reason situated in mediocritie In these definitions this worde Constans expoundeth what manner of thinge Habitus is that wee vnderstand him to be procured through vse and exercise That it is saide Ratione susceptus enterprised or receiued through reason that is to wit through election or aduise that signifieth that the operation of vertue is voluntarie That it is called Habitus animi a custom of the minde that doth commonstrate the habitacle of vertue That it is in mediocritate positus placed in a competent degree that is expressed in these wordes of Horace ¶ Vertue is a meane in middes degree Closde in both sides as thou mayst see That we may conceiue all vertues to be made moderated by a certaine measurable rate which should be approued of wise persons and skilfull in many cases and good But when we affirme that the operacion of vertue is voluntary either taken in hande through a frée Iudgement that is to be considered that we being furthered by the secret benefite of God and succoure of the holy Ghoste withoute whom wée are of strength to worke nothing obaying the right sentence of the minde indeuoring with voluntarie will may procure the perfection of vertue through diligence and frequent vse For these be the two principall efficient causes of vertue a minde iudgyng rightly and a will obeiyng him which iudgeth and commaundeth not amisse Whiche yet are very much succoured through learnynge the which may make brightsom the vnderstandynge of those sentences who are within vs by nature and the light geuē of God oftentimes obscured throughe wonderfull darkenesse as the booke of holy Scripture conteining the .x. Commaundementes and through an encouragyng of natiue procliuitie through Discipline or obseruacion of manners and peinfulnesse in gouernynge operacions as the shūning of Idlenesse and of these thinges which minister an occasiō of offending Plato writeth in his booke Meno vertue to be geuen of God not to be ingendred in vs of nature as the Stoikes would neither to consist only by practise as the Peripatetikes reported Certes it is to bee thought that true vertues do not chaunce vnlesse through a celestiall benefite that also there be other some with lesse peines to be mollified of nature notwithstandinge to be ratified by reason and custome Touchynge viciousnesse there is no doubte that it is voluntarie Very aptly then it seemeth to be graunted that humaine operations are without compulsion and that all vertues and vices are voluntary For what is done by coaction that meriteth neither prayse nor disprayse but is esteemed worthy of forgeuenesse Vertue is sundred of others into two partes Iustice Fortitude and of others into un Prudence Iustice Fortitude and Temperaunce Some suppose vertue as the whole to consist of members whiche beynge applied to sundry actions may be of efficacie to constitute diuers fourmes whereas of all one perfect vertue may be absolued neither is there any one of them foure vertues whiche may want the felowship of the residew Aristotle in only prudencie supporteth all vertues to be knitted together Wee approuynge the diuision of olde Philosophers will distribute vertue into them foure braunces whiche euen now wee haue placed of whom the first doth gouerne the intelligence the rest the wil to which may be annected whatsoeuer vertue els where may be traced out And first and formost we will minister talke of Prudencie in whose rehersall also Domestical and Politique affaires shall compendiouslye be remembred which hereafter if we shal thinke good shall be debated more at large Plato of these foure vertues doth name some perfecte who haue fired there restynge places in the minde of whiche suche is the societie emonge them that one being taken away all do fall vnto corruption but some vnperfecte of which certaine others being exempted notwithstandinge maye bee able to remaine Ther is an other particion of Vertues by which they are diuided into politike Purgatory and of the soule clensed and into them as are like Paternes and examples which Macrobius dooth copiously depainte in the eight Chapiter of his former booke of Commentaries on the dreame of Scipio The firste Salomon teacheth in his Prouerbs the others wee reade in Ecclesiastes the third in the Ballets the fourth in god The politique do rule humayn life eke maintayne the outward society of life The Purgatory doo scoure the spots of the soules and do contend vnto victory But the vertues of the soule clensed are collocated in him which the vices now quite troden vnder foote doth constantly perseuer in the loue of vertues which S. Augustine when as he confirmed the other three did not alow They are commonly termed Exemplares paterus and examples which are as it were Ideae as the Greekes do call them or els fourms and figures in the diuine mind sith God is the counterpaine of all good thinges Vertue is defined of Cicero as it is declared somtimes Recta racio a right reason somtimes Natura in se perfecta ad sumum perducta a nature sounde in it selfe and brought vnto the vtmost Otherwhiles Rationis perfectio a perfection of reason which definition Seneca imitatinge doth◠recorde Vertue is none other than an vpright reason vnto which as a rule all the doinges of life are directed And feately euery Originall of vertue proceedeth from perfect reason neither is vertue any other thing then as Cicero minionly descriueth a right affection of the minde from whom as it were from som Fountaine all vndefyled operations which are nominated dewties do proceede of which Cicero hath excellently written And thus I suppose it bee vnderstanded because manie haue affirmed that ther is one onely vertue that perdie there is one office either an action appointed to euery man of vprighte reason which accordinge to the multiplicity of the mater which it handleth inclined to sundrie affayres may procreat these foure vertues which we haue remembred aboue For ther is in very déede onely one perfect affection of the minde the mother of all vertues whose chaungeable appellations bee Prudence Iustice Fortitude Temperaunce of whiche wee will reason in order if first wee shall géeue this in Lesson not onely these whiche are called the giftes of the holy Ghoste but likewise all true vertues as Plato deuoutely supposed in that Dialogue which I haue recited afore to chaunce vnto vs by no meanes vnles by an heauenly benefite vndoubtedly if we embrace the goodnesses of God and labour to attaine to the ende hee beinge oure guide Of Prudencie Cap. xij PRudencie as it weare the Maistresse and iudge of other vertues of which none can be destitute is fitly placed in the first degree as the Capitaine of operacions and the science of liuing which is defined of Cicero the experience of desiring
ought to deuyse to encrease her goods ought to keepe that with sobernesse whiche is gotten with the toyle of her husband The children ought to reuerence their parentes they ought to loue them as God him selfe hath coÌ„maunded they ought to honour them they ought willingly to execute their coÌ„maundements they ought to be obedient to them in all respectes they ought likewise to obey their schole masters which are the instructours of the minde as it were second parents For they both are charged with one thing to trayne vp youthe vertuously They ought to apply the studies appoynted them they should eschew idlenesse and pleasure before the rest as pernicious plagues they ought to reuerence their elders and magistrates as well spirituall as temporall and the honest persons and discreete But they ought to esteeme those with a certayne principal good will of whom both their vtteraunce and harte are decked with right excellent sciences vnto all humanitie The seruantes ought to be obedient and faithfull to their maysters herkenyng to their precept and alwaies bent to finish their commaundement they ought to haue in reuerence loue their maisters as their parentes they ought to be thriftie appayde with a moderate liuing and requisite apparel thei ought willyngly to enlarge the riches of their maysters they ought to steale nothyng priuily They ought paciently to suffer their mayster if he shal be more curious than needeth if he shal be more easie to please they may not neglecte him Whether it be leiful for Christians to haue bondemen and whether any may be bondmen by nature which thing Aristotle alloweth I leaue to be discussed of others Of Politike gouernance Cap. xiiij EVen as a Family consisteth of particuler men so doth a City of many Families of which presently we will debate In a common weale wel to be gouerned Prudencie is cheefely tried withoute which no societie of man can be ruled Politike gouernaunce or els a weale Publike is defined of Plutarchus in his booke De tribus Reipub. generibus a state and order of a Citie to be obserued in ruling of matters This Ciuill wisdom prescribeth the actions of Citizens eke is altogether occupied in defendinge the societie of man as in the matter which it hath taken in hand to be reasoned vpon and hath that scope propounded vnto her selfe that the weale publik may be discretly handled and that prouision may be made for the sauegard of the inhabitantes Aristotle gaue this difference betwixt a Family and a common wealth that in the common wealthe there shoulde be an equalitie of prerogatiue by which the highest shoulde be valued with the lowe But in the houshold the Maister should haue the Empire of a King ouer his children and Seruauntes as his Subiectes amonge whom the like equality can not be Of common weales sixe fourmes are recited three good which the prince the Nobilitie and the commens do minister iustfully and conueniently for for the general profite of the whole Citie and so many wicked which the Tiraunte and the bande of a fewe and the â—eane people do gouern as their owne â—st impelleth them haling all thinges â—o their proper behoofe There appeaâ—eth no Citie of any nation which may â—ot be referred to some of these That Common weale whiche consisteth of them three whiche are esteemed good Cicero in his bookes De Repub supposeth to be best by reason it is more excelent more profitable and of lenger perpetuitie than the rest Amonge the Romanes after the kynges expelled out of their Realmes euen vnto Iulius and Augustus Respub Democratica the fourme of the coÌ„mon wealth where the people had authoritie without any other state seemeth to haue ben so tempred with a certaine moderation of the kyngdome of Aristocratia whiche is a state of a Weale publike where many rule that are moste worthie in vertue and prowesse that a certaine Princely maiestie did excell in the Consuls Aristocraria in the senators Democratia in the Tribunes of the common sorte but the cheefest power was in the possession of the people Now a princely Monarchy ratified by the aduice of prudente Peeres and Sauced with vnremoouable decrées appeareth worthelie to be aduaunced before al others for coÌ„modity and quietnesse especialy sithens not by election but throughe a certaine Heauenlie prouidence Realmes are transported to the Children of Kinges Princes generated through the Lawe of bloud beinge the successours of their Parents or vnto the next of aliaunce Because perdy a Citie consisteth of the multitude of Cittizens leadinge their liues vprightly let vs manifest what ones they ought to be He is to be named a good Citizen of his countrie who being trimmed with ciuill vertues and espicially with Iustice and Fortitude whom Prudence and Temperaunce do moderate may be able to perfourme very well not only Domestical and familier offices but also Publike both at home and in warre There is neede of common Schoolemaisters bothe honest and lerned to declare vertues through whose trauel Children gaily instituted from their youth may depart exquisite in honesty and Godlinesse and through the knowledge of most excellent matters become profitable members to their countrie If so be the riches of the Parentes may not beare that their Children by leasure may be enriched with liberall studies the next remedie is that they be learned som kinde of occupacion whereby they may get their liuing Ydlenesse and pleasure verely are diligently to be shunned of all men Alwaies studie and an honeste and commodious exercise bothe of the minde and body is to be required By al meanes possible it is to be laboured of all good citizens but principally of the Parents and instructours that by reason children and youthstate can easilie imitate any thinge they may lighten them in the purity of life and may be a paterne of vertu to their younger Let euery occasion of trespassyng as much as habilitie will geue leaue be taken away Let the enticementes of concupiscence and wantonnesse be remoued Let obedience be exhibited to the magistrate if he be good As to the father of the country vnto whom authoritie is geuen from aboue But if he be ill let him pacienly be suffered and without sedicion modestly and meekely be admonished of his duty Let the Lawes be obserued Let Religion cheefely be reuerenced Let peace and concord be kept among the Citizens Let euery cause of discord be eschewed Let euery manne haue a respect to his owne businesse Neither let any man giue him selfe to beare Office in the common weale vnlesse he be called Let rest alwaies be soughte for Let pencions be paide Let the countrey be most deare to euery man for whom a good Citezen shall not feare to die if neede shall require For the cheefest loue next vnto God is due to the Countrey and to the Magistrate the next to the Parentes and kinsfulke the third to the Citizens linked or vnited together through the commonnesse of Lawe Let Foriners or Straungers peruse their
businesse nor let them be ouer inqisitiue in other mens affaires Let them behaue them elues modestly It is the charge of a magistrate to gouerne the weale publike wittily to vse them moderately and warily ouer whom he beareth rule whiche he cannot absolue vnlesse he be of an honest minde and good iudgement as a wyse and prudent man to mainteyne the lawes that they may be obserued to the whiche also he himselfe shall obey To behaue himself decently accordyng to the dignitie of state which he hath put on courteously modestly iustly not filthely not couetously not proudely not waiwardly not cruelly to geue vpright sentence to al men to minister no rigorousnesse or parcialitie to extende clemencie sharpenesse and equitie in castigations and punishments lesse he shuld chastice some more sharply others more softly which are accused of one matter except any thyng interrupt that may inforce him so to worke agaynst his will After one fashion to care for all the Citezens both riche and poore noble and base to thinke himself to be the father of the common wealth to purney thinges behoueable for the Citie as Corne if by chaunce scarcitie and dearth of grayne should be feared as other thynges of whiche there shal be néede in the extremities of the common wealth And then next to haue an especiall regarde of the poore when as necessitie greatly oppresseth chiefly a coÌ„mon penury what one is the pouertie of corne It shall be his parte to intertayne straungers and alians and pilgrimes freendly and fauorably lesse the citie should be il spoken of among foren Nations To conclude it lieth in him to referre all his cogitations to the sauegard of the common wealth to attende vpon her profits and vtilities especially to cherish euery where the dignitie and reputation thereof And because â—ne cannot sustaine all the dueties it is expedient that diuers magistrates vndertake diuers offices of which al notwithstanding there ought to be the like studie to tender the profits of the citezens and more earnestly to seeke for the commoditie and safegard of them than their owne If so fortune serue that battell is to be waged whereas nothynge more pernicious than it can â—e inspired of God into the common â—ealth Let that of Terence be borne â—way Consilio omnia prius experiri â—uain armis saprentem decet It becommeth a wyse man first to assault all thinges with aduise than with dent of sworde If the daunger cannot be with holden which is threatned all men wee must geue the onset prudently and we must repell it valiauntly yet no battel is to be enterprised but that whiche is iust to execute the which wel an earâ—…est preparacion is to be taken in hand stoute Champions are to be sought for and skilful of Marcial feates nor strong men only but also witty and Politike Souldiars must be sought out speedely and a choise is to be gathered of them Argent is to be Coyned which truly is termed Nemus belli the sinew of warfare The Souldiars are to be kept in office vnto whom that he may appeare to â—ear the maistry wage is to be attributed at due time And chary heede is to be had that they spoyle not them whom they are hyred to protect which is sufficiently and more than inough experimented by the olde complaynt bothe of countrie men and Citizens what a cruell and lothsome a thynge it is to the miserable comminaltie It is not meete that a Magistrate be altogether rude and vnskilful of chiualry And although at these daies there is a far contrary facion of waging Battel than in auncient times by reason of the new inuencion of Hellish fire yet the booke of Marcial policy shal auaile very greatly as of Flanius vegetius Iulius Frontinus Aliâ—nus and such like throughe perusing of which a greate knowledge of warfare shal be procured the which is to be confirmed by the experience of olde and sturdy Souldiars which haue been present at sundry Skirmishes and of stout and Prudente Capitaines which haue learned warlike prowesse through long practise who would doubte it to becom moste absolute Neither doth this science appeare lesse conducible to the Citie than Sage wisdome or whatsoeuer crafte there is commodious for life For wheras ther be three sortes of men in the common wealthe as officers which should rule wel and iustly as Capitaines Souldioures which should faithfully and valiauntly defend as artificers bothe of comlie and vndecente disciplines which should aide the necessary and profitable trades Yet vnto al them ought there to be a like indeuoure to maintaine the weale Publike with amiable agreement And thus muche in Politike Prudence to be considered Of Vices contrary to vvisdom Cap. xv IGnoraunce is a vice coÌ„trary to wisdom who likewise after a contrary sort may be defined An vnskilfulnesse to discerne good and euill thinges or els to out finde the truth or to determine what is to be doone or what is to be left of This is a common plague to all vices as prudencie to vertues because no vertue can want the aduise of wisdom and euery vniust and sluggish and vntemperate person the same ought to be called vnwise The companions of imprudence be the errour of the mynde and temeritie repugnant to perfect iudgement and the foolysh person attributeth much vnto Fortune whom he reuerenceth as a Goddesse where as he vseth not reason and counsell and yelding his good will to affections doeth commonly admit those thynges of which afterwardes he repenteth or els coÌ„trarywise through cowardlynesse and negligence neither regardeth his children nor wife and kepeth no instruction in his householde and no kinde of authoritie If suche a Magistrate shal be in the weale publike the wicked will suppose that a licence is ministred vnto them to treade amisse if there be suche a Capitayne the Souldiours will become dastardes yea and they whom he reteyned valiaunt what manner of felowes Scipio Amilianus founde before the destruction of Numantia whom he reduced to theyr antique manlinesse Marciall discipline restored and ouerslipped no occasion of any worthy feate to be practised Wilinesse verely is a vice whiche with a certaine cloke of vertu deludeth the vncircumspect which sith it purposeth not to trauell for the truthe it can not be called wisdom but a suttell and a Foxlike counterfaiter of Prudencie who yet somewhiles is compted a vertue if it be wrested vnto a commodious ende But the partes and operations of Prudence beyng perceiued it shall not be a perplexed businesse to vndermine the contrarie Notwithstandynge wee must be very wary that vices do not deceiue vs whiche appeare to counterfet vertue Doubtlesse vertue her selfe is a mediocritie welnie betwixt two extremes but of whiche th one is a manifest dice and is apertly perceiued as when ignorance is set against wisdom wrong against Iustice cowardnesse agaynst Fortitude Intemperance agaynst Temperaunce Couetousnesse against Liberalitie But the other because he is a vice cousin germain to Vertue is not so
easely espied as when craftinesse or subtiltie is gaiged agaynst wisedome cruelty against Iustice lewdhardinesse agaynst manlinesse an outragiousnesse in despising of pleasures agaynst temperance Prodigalitie against liberalitie Obstinacy agaynst perseuerance For as Ouide saies And mischiefes are of kinne to good for vnder that deceiptfull weede Vertue oftetimes hath borne the checke for vices rootes who bringe the seede Of Iustice Cap. xvi CIcero calleth Iustice Dominam ommum reginam virtutum The Lady and Princesse of al vertues and defines it a perfection of the minde whiche the common vtilitie beyng maintened yeldeth to euery one his statelinesse and he calleth it an affection of the minde whiche geueth to eche one his due and defendeth the societie of humain felowship bountifully and egally Moreouer it is discribed of the same author An euenesse geuynge euery one his right accordyng to the dignitie and desert of euery person Aristotle calleth it an affection of the minde wherby men are fit to worke iustfully and by whiche both they will and do such thinges as be rightful after the same sorte we may manifest iniustice by which men exercise wronge and are voluntarily inforced to vnlawfull matters The Lawiers terme it a constant and a perpetuall will ministryng to euery man his right For Iustice is conuersant in distribution of equitie as in the mattier that the equalitie whiche the law doth procreate may be preserued There be vices repugnant to euery one to this iniustice to the other iniurie To Fortitude and Temperance more Nothing is more expedient than this vertu to mainteyne the societie of humaine kinde nothing more agreable to nature who hath fashioned vs vnto al humanity and natural beneuolence If so be wee are borne for this felowship as mini-only Cicero confirmeth in his first bake De legibus we must confesse that we in like case are ingendred for Iustice with out whiche that societie and felowship cannot consiste and that the same is naturally engraffed in vs as a Torche caried before one to work rightful matters to eschew the contrarie through the opinion of vndeceiuable reason geuen by the consent and benefit of God whiche if it be ratified with the vse of operation then at length a custome a perfection of vertue shal be procured wherof Nature hath geuen as it were litle sparkes Touchyng that which is called in question concerning the mediocritie of Iustice she is verely as Aristotle deemeth a meane but she is placed betwixt both extremities after another sorte than the residue of the vertues Morall who is referred vnto right and euennesse in preseruacion of which she is conuersante euen as iniustice and iniurie the disquieter of egall dealing and rightfulnesse is busied in vnequalitie Of the partes of Iustice Cap. xvij THE partes of Iustice be two the one common and vniuersall which is occupied in preseruacion of the right of humane societie and it considereth a common good and learneth vs to reuerence right and equity the other priuate which is verified in restoring to euery man what is duetiful And this is double One which reteineth equality in fourmes of choppinge and chaunging together and in affaires which vsually is called Commutatiua Another which is occupied in distribution of honoures accordinge to ech mans worthines which they tearme Distributiuam The charge of common Iustice is to maintaine law and equitie whervpon he is called a iust manne who sheweth him selfe obedient to all customs Law is defined of Cicero a reason engraffed of nature whiche commaundeth those thinges which are to be taken in hand and forbiddeth the contrary And in like sorte a right reason and deriued from the mighte of the Gods charging such matters as are honest disanulling the contrary Hether all decrées may be referred statutes manners ordinaunces expedient for the sauegarde of the weale publike in obseruing of which Iustice is tried in violating of which iniustice Equitie coupleth her selfe to the law who folowinge the righte sentence of reason doth gouerne the lawe written and as the worthiest interpretoure of al lawes doth wittily asswage rigorous sharpenesse according to the place oportunity and dispositions of men That member of priuate Iustice which is Tituled Distributiua perteaneth cheefly vnto magistrates who not only is occupied in grauntinge Offices and rewardes but also in appointinge punishments that with an equal lawe the citizens may be ruled both the vertuous beneficed and the naughty corrected This perdie is the charge of a Magistrate but the intelligence of this vertue is necessarie for all men that euery man may vnderstande his place whiche he should keepe in the common wealth and the dutie whiche he should execute and should attribute and leaue vnto euery one bothe place and dutie and should knowe him selfe nor should glory ouer much in his proper conceite This vertue by reason especially it studieth to succour equality is compared to Geometricall proporcion in which a like consideration is had of greater and lesser numbers But that parcel which they terme Commutatiuam is occupied in bargaininges of men and teacheth to yéelde vnto euery man his owne that ware for ware the value for the chaffer be geeuen perfecte equality beinge kepte and this hath a care rather to render home debte than to distribute promocion to the worthier Wherfore in like case it is clogged with Arithmeticall proporcion because in this the numbers in the other an indifferency of reason is respected This is conuersaunt in contractes which the Lawyers do display the other in Dignities and penalties which are appointed of Magistrates And hetherto of al kinde of Iustice and her partes But because vnto these other sixe members are subuected defined of Cicero in his bookes De Inuentione Religion Pietie Reuerence Trouth Reuenging Thank to whiche shal be adioyned liberalitie magnificence frendship and vices disagréeable to euery one of these also we must expresse our opinion These vertues by reason they consist through the equality of reason they seeme to be adiected vnto distributing Iustice like as euerye varitye of bargaines to the exchaunging Of the six partes of Iustice constituted of Cicero and their vices and of som other vvhich be vvelnie of the same nature Cap. xviij CIcero in his second booke De Inuentione hath rehearsed thrée partes of Iustice the law natural vsual and the law leiful And the law natural he defineth which opinion may not bring to vs but a certaine instruction naturall wherof he nūbreth six members which euen now I haue declared Religion is one a rightfulnesse towardes God either a piety wherby we adore him so called as Lactantius writeth in his fourth booke A religando of sure binding by reason for this cause we are engendred that we may exhibite iust and dutifull seruyces vnto God begetting vs that we shuld him onely acknowledge that him we should folow We are linked and fastned vnto God with this bonde of godlinesse Plutarchus doth interpreate Religion Scientiam rerum Dominarum a science of diuine matters wee
ouer muche industrious labour is worthely dispraysed so is negligence and the contempte of Science whiche is apperteyninge to blockish and dull persons who appeare more like vnto bruite creatures then to men The third braunche of Modestie is Merinesse or Pleasantnesse and delectablenesse and also Humanitie and courtesie of talke whiche who that shall vse prudently he shal be pleasant to all men and for that also the better accepted Merinesse is which ascribeth a certaine meane to sportes and pastimes and vseth these same in time and place with them vnto whom they are thankefull to stur vp honest mirth and to wipe away the anguishes of the minde with a certayne delight This also is a meane betwixt two vices as Aristotle beareth witnesse in his second booke Ad Nicomachum vnhonest skoffing and carterlike vnsauournesse He that keepeth a meane of pleasantnesse applied to sporte is reckened mery and ciuill He that passeth degree is compted a rayler what maner of felowes are the Parasites and stage Players and other light and foolish men But he which altogether abhorreth Maygames is iudged beastly and vplandishe But wée must diligently take heede lesse through our bourdyng wee offende any man that there be not immoderate coÌ„ceites not filthy not foolish The work of Apothegmes collected of Erasmus shall minister many mery toyes And as concernyng that pleasantnesse of life whiche is remnant who that shewes himself delectable in suche sorte as reason requireth he is called easie gentell courtise and Facilitie is reckened Mediocritie He whiche passeth the meane if he be ledde with no occasion is to be compted ouer easie and pliant but if for his owne profit he is to be esteemed a flatterer But he whiche altogether dissenteth and departeth from meane and reason and sheweth himselfe sadde in all respects he is to be thought testif and churlish and worthie of al mennes hatred with that vncourteise sadnesse and rude grauitie and vnthankefull to wise men A certayne sadde sagenesse in countenance séemeth to be ingraffed in certayne what one is geuen to that Crito of Terence which if it be naturall surely it can neither be called properly good nor euill It shal be reckened good if it agree to right reason But there is a certaine secte of menne which cloke foolishnesse in their face and countenaunce and also in their iesture ietting and communication Whose affectate grauity ratified by lewd custom is wonte to appeare very foolishe vnto witty men and more rightlie informed vnto humanity The last member of sober moode doth teache that the paumpering and apparelling of the carcase is to be moderated and seemelinesse to be kepte in it as in other matters lesse either ouer curious care and riotte or els carterlye and vnnaturall slouenry and vncleanlinesse be reproued For this vertue which consisteth of adourning agreeable for the commodity of the body necessity of nature is a meane betwixt superfluity and filth Let the apparell than be moderate cleane fit for the body and conueniente for vse not for foolishnesse and rediculous ostentacion what one the barbarous and outlandish is wont to be let it be applied to the persons accordyng to their dignitie and riches and to kinde to age to place to time and to honest custome One beâ—eemeth noble and riche men another the base and poore one men another women one olde fathers another the galant youthe Of Intemperance and her two partes Cap. xxxvij INtemperancie is a redinesse conseting to desiers againste reason which Cicero in his fourth boke TusculanaruÌ„ questionum doth define a swaruing from al vnderstanding and from righte reason so bended from the â—rescript of reason that by no meanes the appetites sensual neither can be ruled nor yet repressed The parts of this vice are two One which verily addicteth her selfe vnto pleasures the other which doth nothing at all Throughe her men do rush hedlong after the vsage of beasts into al delices the Empire of Reason throwen away Through this by the rudenesse of minde some as it were with a certaine abashmente are made dull vnto all pastaunces and also do reiect and contempne honest and necessary delighte without occasion But these I iudge a man may séeke and find a fewe which through a certayne Brutishnesse would so abhorre all pastime wherewith Nature is cheefely delited that they may be intreated with no delectation The better sort by a greate deale are wont to go astray in the other parte and to géeue to muche scope vnto pleasure which temperaunce doth bridel by the Squire of reason who being collocated betweene those two vices dothe alwaies laye claime to that precious peculier Mediocritie of Vertue Of the coniunction of Vertues amonge them selues the difference and excellencie Cap. xxxviij ALl Vertues which nowe are absolute and brought vnto the perfection of reason are so connected together amonge them selues with a certayne mutuall copulation as the members of our bodie they do so agrée in amible concord as musical Harmonie This is that manifold order of Ringes whiche Plato writeth to be drawen vnto of the Lodestone For you shal not cal him perfectly and truly a prudent man which same is not both iust and valiaunt and temperate neither iust who wanteth the rest nor valiaunte nor Temperate who is not â—urnished with the felowship of the residue although he be conuersaunt more commonly in one Vertue than in another But the vnperfecte vertues are not so yoked together that they may make as it weare a consente and agreement Wee haue heard that Socrates was Temperate and Modest yet that bourding whiche is sayde to haue béene peculiar vnto him when as he woulde reprehende the vnskilfulnesse of others so greedely can not escape the checke of arrogancie But truly that great pacience and Temperaunce of Iob published in holy Scriptures was most perfet of all others But not so many examples are alledged of this absolute Vertue yet many maye be disclosed of the vnperfect Som vertues excell others in excellencie and operation as Prudencie whose Harboroughe is placed in the minde and is occupied in the out findinge of trouthe she is preferred before Temperaunce whiche moderateth delices and appoynteth a meane vnto all thinges vnto whom a place is assigned in the desiringe facultye of the soule Iustice passeth Fortitude because she preserueth the equality of humayne society and hath no certaine habitation but is indifferently spred abrode vnto all partes of the Soule this ought to be busied in despising of perils and oughte to bee situated in the Vertue of the angrie Soule what soeuer verily be subiect vnto these cheefe Vertues as they are lower in order so be they in statelinesse by reason that some of them are vnder others neither forthwith should bee referred vnto the greateste good whiche those principall Fountaynes do nexte consider but euery one to their proper beginninges and shoulde haue regard of vs rather then of felicity sith not they of their owne power but by those foure Capitalles may be straightned vnto God him selfe who is the end of all good thinges To this wished marke and eternal felicitie we attaine by the operation of Vertue verily as in the beginning it is expressed yet the which God him selfe may make prosperous vnto vs through his Clemencie to whom be due all praise honoure and glory for euer and euer Amen FINIS 〈◊〉 1. â—…d VVâ—… Philâ—…phy iâ—… be mâ—…tated chrisâ—… men â—… The â—…raynâ—… for mâ—… God 〈◊〉 throâ—… him 〈◊〉 lastinâ—… True veâ—… is the bâ—…fite of 〈◊〉 This booke translated by Iohn Charlton late felow of Exetre Colledge in Oxford now Schole maister of Wyrksop in the countie of Nottingham Mors vltima Linea rerum The Table OF the ende and partes of Morall Science Cap. i. Of the end of man and the Soueraigne good Cap. ii Of Affections Cap. iii Of loue Cap. iiii Of desire and hope Cap. v. Of Gladnesse Cap. vi Of hatred and anger and like affectioÌ„s Cap. vii Of Sadnesse Cap. viii Of Feare Cap. ix Of Boldnesse Cap. x. Of Vertue and her diuision and Originall Cap. xi Of Prudencie Cap. xii Of Domesticall gouernaunce Cap. xiii Of Politike gouernaunce Cap. xiiii O Vices contrary to vvisdom Cap xv Of Iustice Cap xvi Of the partes of Iustice Cap xvii Of the six partes of Iustice constituted of Cicero and theyr Vices and of some other vvhich be vvelnie of the same nature cap xviii Of Godlinesse cap. xix Of Reuerence Cap. xx Of Trouth cap. xxi Of Reuengement Cap. xxii Of Thanke cap. xxiii Of compassion Cap. xxiiii Of Liberality and vices contrary to this Auarice and Prodigalitie cap. xxv Of Magnificence Cap. xxvi Of Frendship cap. xxvii Of Iniustice Cap. xxviii Of Fortitude cap. xxix Of Confidence and Magnanimitie Cap. xxx Of pacience and perseuerance cap xxxi Of the Vices betvveene vvhiche Fortitude is placed cap. xxxii Of Temperaunce cap. xxxiii Of Continence and abstinence cap. xxxiiii Of Clemencie Cap. xxxv Of Modestie Cap. xxxvi Of Intemperaunce and her tvvo partes cap. xxxvii Of the coniunction of Vertues amonge â—hem selues the difference and excelâ—encie Cap. xxxviii FINIS ¶ These are to be solde at the Southwest doore of Poules Churche
terme it Virtutem a Vertue by which a iuste and a trewe worship is geuen to god The which as of all vertues so likewise we shal wel cal it the ground and doubtles the Parente and Mother of Iustice Nothinge is more necessary than this vertue to preserue the common wealth and to lead the life egally and without couine amonge the Citizens sithe no strength may rather bannish men from all vnthriftinesse than if they shal perceaue that theare is affliction prepared of God for the transgressoures and a path made open vnto Heauen and vnto â—ternal felicity for suche as leade their â—ues godly and iustly There hath been â—et neuer any Nation so Barbarous which hath not fauoured som Religion although it were false and forbidden from working of iniury through the feare of som God wheras an Othe was accompted a most streight band to wring their faith together What is it expediente that Christians do to whome â—aithfulnesse is geuen the grounde of al â—eligion of Iesus Christ our Lorde and â—auiour and the holy Apostles and his â—uccessours so ratified that neither by any humayne force nor yet infernall rage it may be ouerthrowen I say what is it meete for them to doo vnto whom leading their liues with vertue God himselfe hath proposed a sure hope of blisful and sempiternal life through the confidence of whose promise what true godly man for sanctified religion will stagger to lese his breathe if neede shall require How easely might all iniurie be put to flight if that precept of God our sauiour maister were deeply grauen in all mens mindes Quod tibi fieri nolis alteri nefeceris What thou wilt not to be committed agaynst thy selfe thou shalt not do to another Which sentence wise felowes also dissenting from our religion haue so merueiled at that they esteemed nothynge more diuine that nothing coulde be deliuered more auayleable to maynteyne the fellowship of men Contrarious to Religion is supersticion a scrupulositie of holinesse which honoureth the Heauenly power not as it ought either a vaine and a foolish honour of God than which vice impietie towardes God and the contempte of reuerente dreade is surely a more detestable mischiefe by which all faith is turned vpside downe by which periury by which Sacrilegies are established Of Godlynesse Cap. xix IN the seconde place Pietie is rehersed of Cicero which although it be defined some whiles of him a Iustice towardes the Goddes that it should be the same whiche Religion is yet most commonly it is taken for Iustice towardes our progenitours or els for a thankefull good wil towardes our Parentes But in his bookes of Rhetorike Pietie is more absolutely defiâ—ed through which duetie and an earnest reuerence is geuen vnto Aliaunce and to them which are well willinge to theyr countrey And in like sort in another place Pietie is which geueth in charge to obserue duetie towardes our countrie our parents and others our kynsefolke This laste vertue is well coupled to Religion because the cheifest worship is to be geuen to God the next to the Parentes and next of kinne and especially to the countrey whiche one Cicero saieth comprehendeth all charitie Impiety is a contrary vice to Godlinesse towards such to whom beneuolence and loue is due Against this so detestable a wickednesse when as yet the title of murder was vnknowen it was not necessary to establish a lawe but afterwards when they began who violatyng the law of nature and more brutish than brute beasts did murther despoyle them of whom they had receiued life a most rigorous law was ratified of which declaration is made in the digestes vnder the title Ad L. Pompeiam de patricidus Of Reuerence Cap. xx REuerence is by which we honoure and worship theÌ„ who excel vs in age either in wisdome either in dignity or in any estimacioÌ„ For that God him selfe geueth in commaundment by the law of nature that with due obeysaunce and honoure we should reuerence our parentes and the Magistrates whom he woulde to rule ouer vs This vertue of obedience is so necessary that withoute it neither a house neither a Citie nor any fellowship can remaine How pernicious the vice repugnaunte to obedience is the gréeuous ruine of the first parentes of al mankind which hath tormented euery mothers Sonne hath geuen a lesson to vs This enormitye springeth of Pride and arrogancye and of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 through which any maÌ„ by ouerweening in him selfe to well and fauouringe his person maketh him self another cousin to God almighty Nothinge verely is more odious than pride both to God and men For at all seasons as the Latin Tragical writer recordeth Sequitur superbos vltor a tergo Deus God that taketh vengeaunce foloweth the lofty behinde their backes The fal of wicked Angels whiche cannot be repaired and than the which none hath bin more greuous at any time doth witnes the same Of Trouth Cap. xxi TRouth is saieth Cicero throughe whiche those thinges are sayde to be vnchaunged whiche are or haue been or els are aboute to come Either a right perfection of the minde wherby any man both telleth the truthe either in affyrmyng or els in deniyng and also pretendeth no subteltie whereof he may be called a true speaker It is a necessarie vertue to make bargaynes in whom faith ought to beare rule which is defined a constancie and a soothe of sayinges and doynges neither is truth any other thinge in contractes and accomptes than faith whiche if it be diligently obserued the proper office of duetie shal be fulfilled which is to yelde vnto euery man his owne A lie is a vice contrarie to veritie in like maner the malicious inuencions of Sophismes and all deceipte and dissimulacion and counterfaityng and also arrogancie A forged deuise is mischeuous and pernicious vnto the coÌ„mon wealth for it wresteth a man from God which is true and the welspryng of al verity and purchaseth him freendship with the Deuill and bringeth euerlastyng death to the soule and violateth humaine societie with a false Merchaundise and incenseth hatreds and discordes through a leasyng tongue That bostinge especially foolish of some that are too glorious in their owne estate is irkesome to the learned Certes an alteration to be abandoned Clokyng also is vnseemely for an honest man who speaketh no otherwise then he thinketh he doth not commend him in presence whom he disprayseth in absence he counterfaiteth and worketh wilily not with male ingine but wittily if neede shoulde enforce Of Reuengement Cap. xxij REuengement is saith Cicero by whiche violence and iniurie and whatsoeuer at any time is like to discommodite may be repelled by defending or auengyng And it is defined a taking of punishment by which we put of from vs a dispight either by shunning hit or by repaying the like But this latter definition for this cause appeareth to vs littel commodious because it conteineth priuate reuengement likewise alowed of him in his first booke of Deuties
whiche wee know to be reproued not only of Christians but also of prophane Philosophers and ignoraÌ„t of our Religion who imitatynge the rule of nature did iudge it better to suffer than to commit iniurie because that may be done iustly and this cannot be accomplished without iniustice as Aristotle also learneth in his .v. booke of Ethikes That likewise may be attributed to pacience doubtlesse an excellent vertue this perdie to the contrarie vice Neither truly ought any man to thinke that any other talke is ministred than that he may repel force by force if it may not be eschewed and that for to defend not to damage or els to reuenge for a minde to discommodite breaketh iustice the leiful reuengement is committed of God vnto the Magistrates which be the ministers of lawes but withholden from priuate persons vnto whom no title of punishinge is attributed Of Thanke Cap. xxiij THanke whiche vsually is called gratitudo kindenesse is saieth Cicero in whiche the memorie of the frendshippes and frendly tournes of another man and a good will to repay another is comprehended The same man telleth Thanke is which ought to vse obseruaunce in the remembrance and recompence of duties and honours and frendships It is more compendiously descriued A faithful memory of a thankfull minde Or els a desier mindefull to doo one good turne and pleasure for another and perhaps it is defined more fitly by reason this vertue is conuersant in receauynge rather than in geuynge For to geue is a pointe of liberalitie To receyue with a good will and to be willinge to repay is the propertie of thanke It is his parte to forget the benefit bestowed nor to wayte for a recompence And to this man it belongeth to remember hit and wher oportunitie geueth occasion with an ouerplus also if he may and he ought to thinke the reward wel to be placed and to be willyng to render the same redily and yet to retayne a perpetual reporte of the pleasure exhibited On bothe the partes héede is to be taken that the thing which either is geuen or restored be profitable and commodious for him to whom it is geuen or restored and iust fully gotten lesse we should be liberal and grateful on another maÌ„s purse The vice repugnant to kindenesse is commonly termed ingratitude which may be defined a forgetfulnesse of a good turne receyued and either an vnwillyng thanke or none or els whiche is worst of all a displeasure requited whiche is the cheefest iniustice than whiche nothyng can be more hateful to all men Of Compassion Cap. xxiiij COmpassion a moste acceptable vertue to God is thought good aptely to be annected vnto these For as we do owe Loue truth and faith to al men godlinesse to few reuengement to such as do wrong kindenesse to them as deserue wel so are we bounde to shewe mercie vnto them which suffer afflictions I cal not compassion verily in this place Agritudinem a heauinesse or els as Seneca a vice of the mindes ouer muche fauouringe wretchednesse but a vertue through which the mind is pricked with the miseries and calamities of another man to succour the oppressed Compassion is defined of Cicero a greef through anothers aduersity Of Seneca in his bookes De Clemencia a smart of the minde or els a sorowfulnesse conâ—eyued by other mens harmes whiche â—e déemeth to chance to the vndeseruing â—ut he indeuoreth to prooue that this is â—vice in these wordes Then the wise â—an shal not haue compassion but shall â—de but shall profite borne for a comâ—on helpe and a publike vtility wherâ—f he shal reache a porcion vnto euerye â—ne Yet we as it is declared do vnâ—erstande compassion a vertue vnto which Christe encourageth vs after the example of his heauenly father and his â—wne in the .6 of Luke which can be reâ—owned sufficiently with no praises at any season and truely is highly commended to vs in holy Scriptures For what earthly wight can at the least conceyue in minde much lesse depaint in oracion the infinite mercy of God the father and Christe our Sauiour This vertue exalteth a manne to blessednes Christ calleth the merciful Beatos blessed because they shal receyue mercy in the .5.9 .12 of Mathew of whom Cap. 25. six duties of mercy breefely are propounded Of liberality and vices contrary to this Auarice and Prodigality Cap. xxv CIcero in his first booke of offices maketh liberality the other braunch of Iustice the which same he termeth both bountifulnes also benignity the which seemeth not vnhandesomly in this place to bée annected to the former parts of Iustice For althoughe this vertue is placed in geuing not as they in restoring what is due whiche same seemeth to be proper vnto Iustice yet because it spreadeth abrode her selfe vnto others as Iustice doth eke considereth the vtility of men it shal be leiful to situate it amonge the members of Iustice Liberality may be defined a beneficiall good will to gratify or els a liberal desire to merite wel of som person This is conuersaunte as Cicero telleth in the vse of Money the which to bestowe honestly and as it oughte with a frée and godly minde is proper to liberality For firste of all a franke consent of the geuer is required lesse throughe an opinion of profite the mind be restreigned from doing good Therfore we muste geue by reason we knowe it to be acceptable vnto God waiting for no rewarde We muste deale wittely when the cause and time shall postulate to him on whom the gift is worthely bestowed which wil not abuse the same vnto destruction either his owne or els of others and we must geue part of our proper goods not of another mans For liberality oughte to discommodity no man but profit them as are worthye of a benefite And we must geue according to the worthinesse of eche one and deserte and rather to a needy creature than a rich Carle not as much as perchaunce thou wouldest but so muche as thou maist least liberalitie turne into the vice of outragious spendinge and thou afterwardes beginne to want and be troblesom to thy friends and lose pleasure who is the companion of vertue and contrarywise reteyne sorow the leaguefellow of viciousnes And albeit riche men can with lesse trauaile perfourm the duty of liberality yet the lesse hability may also become liberall whose bountious good wil ought more to be considered than the benefite it selfe Cicero in his second booke of duties doth ratify two sortes of liberality One through which any man succoureth him who néedeth with Argente The other by which he aideth with trauel or counsel There be two vices vnlike to liberality couetousnes and niggardship and prodigality and riotousnes of which she is the defecte of liberality but this the excesse bexwixt which vices liberalitie is situated Auarice is defined a superfluus gredinesse of money which being coldded together carefully for their auaile the vnsaciable persons do pleasure neither â—hemselues
terrour and feared with any creaking and dreadeth those thinges which are valiantly to be enterprised for vertue A dastarde an effeminate person and one not able to abide honest toyle who whiles he is ouer carefull for his life he shunneth not shame and disworshippe which especially is to be auoided Of either vice otherwise it is debated in the explicacion of affectioÌ„s thaÌ„ in this place in which not the affection but a vicious property contrarious to manlinesse is to be vnderstanded Of Temperaunce Cap. xxxiii TEmperaunce is a vertue which subdueth plesures vnto the dominioÌ„ of reason The same is defined of Cicero a firme and a temperate rule of reason ouer luste and other euil braides of the minde It is also termed a moderation of desires obedient to reason and in another place the gouernesse of all commocions it is conuersaunt in refusing of pleasures as the same Aucthor agreeth with Plato and Aristotle In Gréeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whiche our countryman calleth both Temperaunce and Modestie and also Frugalitie For it is occupied in refraynynge delices and desiers as in the matter whereof it intreateth And because some pleasures are naturall and common to all liuynge creatures others consisting in opinion and they bothe either of the minde or of the body of which some are good whiche are referred vnto a good ende others vicious whiche are directed to an ill this vertu is familiar with good and honest men it absteyneth froÌ„ the contrarie verely it bridleth al concupiscencies with the iudgement of reason whiche Seneca confirmeth in these wordes Temperance ruleth pleasures some it hateth and driueth away with others it dispenseth trayneth to an holsom fashion By whiche wordes it is to be vnderstanded that this is a vertue very well acquainted with Prudencie Sith than Temperaunce is busied in measurynge of appetites her first charge is to contemplate what the necessitie of nature may postulate for to passe the life commodiously that she may satisfie her who is contented with few thynges whereby the superfluous vse of thinges naturall may be eschewed and may be reteined within the bounde of Nature The other is that when as now she â—ath vnquisshed the delightes of the bodie she conquere also the passions of the minde strugling agaynst reason that she keepe vnder arrogancie that she know her selfe that she stifely repine sensualitie and indeuour by little and little to brynge it in seruitude to Reason Thrée partes are annected of Cicero vnto Temperance Continence Clemencie and Modestie Of whiche the first doth gouerne Lust through the rule of Counsell The other remitteth Hatred The thirde preserueth honest shamefastnesse and demurenesse without whiche nothinge can be accompted â—ight Of Continence and Abstinence Cap. xxxiiij BEtwixt Continence and abstinence that appeareth properly to bee the difference that Continence doeth guide affections and kepeth a meane in al order of liuing and trimming and especially as Cicero beareth witnesse in ouerslippinge of pleasures vnto whom Incontinence is repugnant Abstinence represseth the handes from other mens goods vnto whom Rauenie is apposite This is in an innocent man the in a teÌ„perate Continence is defined of him a vertue by which the greedinesse is ruled through the gouerment of counsell It is coÌ„trary to desire to pleasure to lust For the charge hereof is to moderate all appetites lust riotte drunkennesse gluttuous deuouringe of meates and to cause all sences and delices obedient to reason This vertu not only maketh men commendable rulers of desires but also vncorrupted and iocant and also neate to conclude verye excellentâ— matters But contrarywise of intemperancie growe many kindes of diseases the paunche burdened with ouermuch meate and drinke doth both pester the minde and darken the reason But yet that scope euermore oughte to bee proposed vnto all men that they restraine them selues therfore because they ought to know by so doing to please God whom they must serue not by reason it aduauntageth the healthe For if any man dothe auoyde incontinencie only for health or els for vtilities sake be meriteth not guardon vnto contineÌ„ce may be referred al those vertues whatsoeuer appellatioÌ„ they may haue which do moderate pleasures apparel liuing meate drinke which make chaste modest and sober personnes which bridle those abhominable destructions superfluity vnleyfull appetite greedynesse drunckennesse and suche like throughe which voluptuous Lecherous effeminate gourmanders drunken men and worse than beasts are made Through Continence we come vnto the praise of Temperaunce She is perdie rather an vnperfecte vertue than an absolute as liketh Aristotle yet very necessary for the duty of Temperaunce a vertue fully accomplished Celius Calcaguinus hath intituled in his inquisicions that Aristotle doth declare in his Ethikes and Plutarchus in his Commentarie of Morall Vertu what difference there is betwixt the continent man and vncontynent Temperate and vntemperate For the Continent person contendeth with affections and vanquisheth them the vncontinent perdie doth repine but beyng ouercommed doth lament Contrarywise the temperate hath no struglyng but vseth appeased affections as the calme Sea whiche is tossed with no wynde But the vntemperate without resistynge graunteth vnto perturbacions take professeth himselfe willingly consenting to all delices The contrary vice vnto Continence is incontinence spreadyng abrode her braunches egally She may be defined An immoderate desier of pleasures which is not gouerned with the Empyre of Reason either it is a superfluous vse and repugnant to reason of lust gluttony drunknesse and other vnseemely pleasures Nothynge is more filthy and vile than this vice which maketh a man a bounde seruante and despoyleth him of al libertie whom it deliuereth in bondage to moste wanton rulers as to Desiers Lustes Fleshfondynges Wrathe auarice and suche other stewardes of reproche deformitie as elegantly it is disputed of Cicero in his first Paradox Of Clemencie Cap. xxxv EVen as Continence is tried in the restreigninge and moderating of desiers so is Clemencie in the bridlyng of anâ—er For there are two partes of the Soule as before it is declared the desiâ—ing and the angry out of which all afâ—ections do proceede Clemencie is defiâ—ed of Cicero through which the minds â—naduisedly enforced to hate one are â—epressed with gentlenesse Seneca alledging sundry definitions of the same Vertue sayeth Clemencie is a temperance of the mind in power to reuenge either a gentlenesse of the superiour towardes the inferiour in ordering of punishementes either a bendinge of the minde vnto fauourablenesse in exaction of punishment For it is called the same pleasantnesse or méekenesse and Clemencie by which the braide of anger is repelled with reason and a modesty is shewed in reuenginge and chastising But wisdom doth so rule her that neyther all should be pardoned nor any maÌ„ corrected For both of them rather doth answere vnto cruelty than Clemencie yet notwithstaÌ„ding it is better to offend in the more fréendly poynte than in the contrary vnlesse perhappes they who beare office in the common wealth shal suppose an
example néedeful to be practised on some whom Cicero wisheth to be like vnto the lawes who are trained to punish not through anger but equitie It is the parte of Clemencie to searche out the causes of fauouring Certes no priuate person oughte to feare to bende him selfe to the more Courtious parte nether ought to deuise at any time how to requite the Iniury inferred to him but ought to beare vnder foote the incensinges of choler ought to vnderstande this to be the excellentest victory of all others and chéefely conuenient for a Christian man Cruelty and fiersnesse or els stoutnesse of the minde in reuenging and punishing is repugnaunte to Clemencie whose companion is Brutishnesse that is to wit a besticall hostility Than which two vices nothing is more diuerse froÌ„ the nature of man vnto whome appertaineth Humanitie and Clemencie and compassion ioyned hereto with an amiable bonde whiche maketh menne gentle and courteous than whiche no vertue may be more acceptable to God whose mercye is vnmeasurable vnestimable Softnesse seemeth to be of kinne to Clemencie but it is a vice whiche is belonginge to an â—iotte not to a man fauourable Of Modestye Cap. xxxvi MOdestia Modestie so called because it keepeth a certaine meane and moderation Cicero defineth it in his second boke De Inuencione throughe whiche honest shame doth gette a worthie and a stable authority and in his firste booke of Offices of all thinges whiche are done and which are saide an order and a meane and a knowledge of an oportunity of fit seasones to accomplish a thing The Stoykes a Science of settinge those thinges whiche shal be done or sayde in their proper places The first definition commendeth vnto vs Honest shamefastnesse whiche Cicero termeth a certaine natural Timiditie and a bashfulnesse whiche is a certayne reuerende â—eare towardes men whose propertie â—s to offende no man as it belongeth to Iustice to violate no man whiche is â—efined of him in Particions Oratorye the warde of al vertues eschewing disworship and chiefely séeking for praise And Aristotle calleth it a feare of reproche infamie And these definitions verely seeme not to declare one certain vertue shamefastnesse but a certaine generall vnited together with all vertues whiche by another appellacion is called Decorum Comlynesse Shame is rehersed of vs among the affections where wee couet a sodayne commocion to be vnderstanded through which any man is troubled vnwares but in this place an affection limited to vertue coÌ„firmed by vse which through the feare of reproche and infamy calleth vs backe from vices if we acknowledge it not as Vertue her selfe yet verily yoked with Vertue Diogenes named the rednesse ingendred of this affection Virtutis colorem the coloure of Vertue declaringe that kinde of shame to proceede from a good disposicion which yet in this place wee will to be moderate that it bee a mediocrity which is proper to vertues betwixt ouermuch shame and timiditie a counterfayter of bashfulnesse and impudencie Of shame a shamefaste or a bashful man is called by the title of vertue vnto whom is contrarious an impudent and an vnshamefast person This feare of dishoneste matters is commendable and in the younger sorte it signifieth a towardnesse of Vertue besides the especiall ornamente of women But Impudency is a detestable Vice by whiche the comelinesse and all the honesty of life is neglected and an entraunce vnto vices is opened because they are not feared The other definitions of Cicero which euen now wee haue putte do sufficiently declare what Modestie is that there be an order and meane conningly to be obserued of those thinges which are don and saide wherby euery matter may bee excecuted in his proper place and time decently For the duty hereof is so to asswage the troublesom moodes that a certaine harmony of all doynges be obserued That nothyng which is foolish scarce séemely either be doone or sayde that nothing be coÌ„mitted couetously through Enuie Loue Lust Arrogancie Ambicion and other vnlawfull appetites Vnder Modestie be placed Lowlinesse of minde a desier to learne pleasantnesse either delectablenesse or ciuilitie of talke and furniture of body Lowlinesse of minde which they call Humilitie is the very notable vertue of Christian men by whiche any man doth so presse downe the malipertnesse of courage that by how much the higher he is by so muche the more lowly he shuld behaue himselfe Christe himself would that we learne this vertue of him who called himself meeke and of an humble and lowe spirit that wee likewise accordyng to his example shoulde extenuate our goods if there be any whereas wée can obtaine no good thyng whiche is not geuen vs by the will and gift of God that there shoulde be no occasion to any man of braggyng of himself sith euery perfect gift commeth by inspiration from God the Father who lighteneth the mindes of men through Iesus Christe our Sauiour through whome men haue receiued perfect wisdom authorised by the benefite of the holy ghost Therefore this vertue teacheth that especially which in times past was said to fall downe from Heauen Nosce te ipsuÌ„ know thy self that no man perdy shuld attribute ouermuch to himself sithens he hath nothyng whiche he hath not receiued This also is the charge of a prudent person whereby you shall vnderstande Modestie and Temperance at al seasons to be very straightly ioyned to Prudencie wherof also she is tearmed of the Greekes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it were the Fortresse of wisdome The contrary vice is arrogancie throughe which any man blinded with the loue of him selfe faineth many notable thinges to bee in him which are not in him and greater than may be in him either an insolent and vayne bostinge and wantynge the iudgement of the minde This vice of foolish persons by ouerwéening in them selues to well is hatefull both to God and men The other parte of Modestie is coupled to the former with greate affinitie the desier of learnyng by which any man acknowledgyng his ignorance is holden with the loue of Science to the procuring of whiche he frameth his minde He doeth easely learne many thinges who is studious of wisdom and vnderstandeth that he is ignorant in many matters what fellowes were the Philosophers whose whole life hath béen nothing els than a certaine perpetuall studie of knowledge and wisdom Contrarie vnto these be suche who mought attayne to greate learning vnlesse they did suppose themselues alreadie to haue stored their Pouches the whiche chiefly repugneth this vertue whiche proceedeth from Modestie and confessyon of proper ignorance This vertue is situated betwixt two vices Curiositie and carelesnesse either negligence of learnynge and knowledge Curiositie is a superfluous paine or an immoderate greedines to know things either pernicious or vayne and littel auayleable contrarie to the laudable and natiue and vehement desier and indeuour to learne ingendred in al men naturally For the serche inquisicion of truthe is proper to man And as