THE FIGURE of THREE: OR, A Pattern of good COUNSELL.  
Gathered for the Delight of the well disposed.  
LONDON: Printed for R. B. and are to be sold in S. Laurence lane at the sign of the BIBLE, 1636.   

THE FIGURE OF THREE. OR, A PATTERN OF GOOD COUNSELL.  
THE Knowledge of God is threefold: General, Special, and Singular. General, as the Philosophers: Special, as of the Christians: and Singular, as of them that are blessed.  
The sweetness of this Name JESUS consists in three things: It is honey to the mouth, Melody to the Ear, and joy to the Heart.  
All men are busied about one of these three ●hings: Honesty, Profit, or Pleasure.  
Three abominable sayings of all Epi●ures: there is no pleasure after death; a ●engeance on him that careth for to morrow: neither fear the latter day, nor wish ●●r it.  
Three things do study to unite with Pride: Power, 〈◊〉, Riches.  
All Idols had their original of three things, Superstition, wicked Imagination and Flattery.  
Three things to be considered in the creation of the world: Who made it, by what he made it, wherefore he made it. If we ask who made it? Why, there is no Author more excellent than God. If by what he made it? Why, no Art of more force, than the Word of God. If wherefore he made it? Why, no cause better than this: that good should be created of God, who is good.  
A good life consists 〈◊〉 these things: to eschew evil, to do goodness and to persevere in godliness to the end.  
Three benefits which we have receive● ought to move us daily and hourly t● gius God great thankes: our Creation, ou● Redemption, our Justification.  
Three guides to Poverty: Gluttony Sloth and Whoredom.  
Hope is very good for three causes: I● is a remedy in adversity, wiping tear● from the eyes; for Hope only doth s●●staine th●m whom injurious Fortune do●● most oppress: It nourisheth life, promising better success to morrow: It leaveth not a man at his death, but exalteth his heart unto immortality.  
Three things not any way to be tolerated: a long tongue in a Fool's head, a lose life in a godly Professor, a proud Heart and a beggar's purse.  
Three things be never silent where they be: Money in the purse, Wantonness in the heart, Grief in sickness.  
Three sorts of men are evermore very slothful: they that sit long at Dinner, they that lie long in Bed when they should rise to their labour; and they that come to the Church when the doors are shut up.  
Three things which seldom can be seen: a Broker that never made a lie, a Collier which never was black, and two Hills near together without a valley.  
A man is most grieved at three things especially: To see the Adversities of his Children, to hear of the loss of his goods, and to see the prosperity of his heaviest enemies.  
We should not be careful nor curious in three things: of good order in another man's house, of the divine government of the Almighty, nor in the Counsels of great Estates.  
Three causes why men love one another. One loveth, because he is loved; another, because he is advanced to honour: the third, for that he expects a benefit from the hand of him whom he so loveth.  
Three proud creatures: a Knave sitting in a Chair; a quern riding in a Chariot, a r●mping louse in a scabbed Head.  
Three sorts of men are for the most part extreme babblers: Barbers, Bath-keepers, and Victuallers: and the reason is this, because they deal with Mariners, Soldiers, and many other: calling themselves travellers, and are indeed extreme vagrant fellows, reciting many strange tales; whereby being as it were infected with their very talk, they become in the end great Babblers.  
Three things necessary for the increase of Corn: good Seed, good ground, and God's blessing.  
Three things in the night which do importune us to sleep: Darkness, (for men desirous to sleep, do seek for the darkest places;) Cold, (for in winter, men sleep more sound than in Summer; and those that are cold of complexion, will sleep longer than others that are not:) Moisture, for (according to all Philosophy) moist vapours arise from the Stomach, ascend up into the brain, and provoke sleep.  
Three things are said to be very bitter: Gall, Grief and Death.  
Three things which Women can do all at once: Spin, Weep and Prattle.  
Three things which for the uncertainty of that which may happen, men cannot safely give any counsel to undertake them: that is, a Wife, to travel by Sea, to follow the Wars.  
Hope doth comfort three sorts of men (of whom all others are past hope:) him whom the Physicians have given over; him that is bound and cast into a deep dungeon; and him that hath suffered shipwreck, being tossed with waves, yet hope persuades to cast his arms abroad.  
Three things chief to be remembered: Gods been fits, whereby we are ever to give thankes; our sins, that we may be sorry for them; and our death, that we may be careful to live well.  
Three things manifest GOD'S Judgements: Corporal punishment, the sting of an evil Conscience, the torments of Hell-fire.  
There be three things that the body is most addicted unto, and as it were coveteth: Good cheer, Sleep, and Merry or pleasant talk and company.  
Also there be three outward properties of the Persons in the Trinity: the Father sends, and is not sent: the Son is sent to be made a sacrifice: and the Holy Ghost is sent to sanctify our minds.  
There be also in our Saviour Jesus Christ three things worthily to be wondered at: the examples of his life, whereby he edified the envions: his words of wisdom, whereby he instructed the ignorant: and the marvels of his glory, whereby he did convert the unbelievers.  
Gold (as the Learned write thereof) hath three outrageous properties: for first it is the Sna●e for our souls; the hook of Death, and the Bait of sin.  
It is great gain and also wonderful pleasure for these three sorts of men to tell lies: Poets, Painters, and Astronomers.  
All men should suffer these three evils with patience: necessary evils, such as can neither be altered, amended, or hindered: Accidental evils, which have happened unto us by our own evil courses: and such evils as we have justly deserved.  
As after men behold a Rainbow, they are put in mind of three special things: of the anger of God, when he destroyed the world with water, whereof the 〈◊〉 colour is a witness: of the mercy of God, who will never us● that punishment again: o● the latter judgement and burning of the world with fire, and that doth the red 〈◊〉 fiery colour thereof represent.  
Three things make most men very sorrowful: that he must needs die▪ that he knows not the time or day when; and tha● after death, he knows not where he shall be.  
Three things there be that are said to undo a man: to defer and prolong hi● business; to meddle with other men's matters; to reject the good Counsel of hi● friend.  
Three things there be very necessary for a sort of men called Fencers: a quick eye, a strong Arm, and a stout Heart.  
All those which are angry make but small account of three special things which should be highly esteemed: Old age, which ought to be reverenced: Affinity in kindred, and benefits past.  
Humility is a virtue which doth chief comprehend three things: First, it acknowledgeth her own uncleanness and infirmity, and doth fear God: She doth not desire matters above her vocation, but keepeth herself within her bounds: She doth not despise others which are Gods instruments, but acknowledgeth God's gift in them, knowing all labour is vain, unless God prosper it.  
In three things consisteth the whole course of man's life: to be borne weeping, to live laughing, to die sorrowful and sighing.  
Three things make a man willing to brook a servile life: Gain, Love, and Covetousness.  
Three things do most of all hasten Death: Sorrow, Solitariness, and Desperation.  
There be also three kinds of guests which are the first at a banquet: Flies, dogs and Flatterers.  
Three small Beasts are said to be most full of wisdom: the Bee, the E●met, the Spider.  
Three things there be, that ma●● a man beguile: Essex miles, Kentish styles, and Norfolk wiles.  
Three things are required, that are as necessary to a man and his wife: Love inwardly in the heart; Concord outwardly in dwelling together peaceably; both an outward and inward agreement to do good works.  
There are three sorts of Ignorance: Some is good, when we are ignorant of evil: some is evil, when we are ignorant of good: some is indifferent, which is neither good nor evil.  
There be three things that are very proper to Beauty: First, it is frail, and soon fadeth; many vices of the mind are cov●red with the veil of Beauty: it bringeth commodity to few, but unto many destruction.  
Three things there are that make a Commonwealth happy: that is, a wise Prince, a wise Magistrate, and la●● upright Judge.  
Three commodities there are that follow Beauty: it winneth the praise▪ i● obtaineth favour, it getteth profit.  
Three things there are necessary in a Flatterer: an impudent face, a steadfast colour, a changing voice.  
Three things are always very good cheap: Earth, Words and Lies.  
There are three things especially that being in a house, maids wish out of the house: an angry Mistress, Smoke, and a broken or molten dish.  
There are likewise three sorts of people worthy to be beloved: A loving Wife, a faithful friend, and a trusty servant.  
There was a Ploughman that gave these three Lessons unto his Son: To be in Lent holy, in Harvest painful, and at Christmas merry.  
Three things there are that do make Patience to suffer any thing: God and Godliness, Faith and Religion, Virtue and Law●●.  
There be three notable Ornaments belonging to the house of 〈◊〉 Minister: an open gate, a godly Household or Family, and a good Library.  
Truth is stronger than three strong things: strong Wine, a Woman, or a mighty King.  
The country life is mistress of three things: Frugality, Diligence, and Justice.  
Three things are most necessary to the maintenance of our bodies. Sufficiency of meat to appease the rage of hunger; clothing to cover the body, and expel away cold: Sleep, which doth refresh the wearied limbs with labour.  
Three Mothers there are that bring forth three evil Daughters: Truth the Mother, Hatred the Daughter: Riches the Mother, Envy the Daughter: Familiarity the Mother, and Contempt the Daughter.  
Three sorts of people worthy to be hated: A malicious Woman, a faithless Friend, and a proud Beggar.  
There be three things that can by no means be hidden: A Whore in a chamber, a Spindle in a Sack, Straw in the Shoes.  
An Epitaph always to be remembered of all mankind, when he doth behold the picture of Death in any place: O man thou beholdest what I am; thou knowest I have been as thou art: then think with thyself what thou shalt be.  
Three things make a man weary of 〈◊〉 house, and oftentimes of his life: Smoke, Rain, and a cursed and dogged wife.  
Three things require to be attendant in a Chirurgeon: a Hawks eye, a Lion's heart, and a Lady's hand.  
The invention of three things are exceeding wonderful: the Printing of Books, the invention of Guns and Gunpowder, and the making of glasses.  
Three properties that belong to Epicures: they neither fear nor reverence God, and esteem all godliness a mockery: they offer sacrifice unto their guts, other God they know not: neither grief nor fear can compel them to be careful for the time to come, but for the present.  
A Traveller hath these three points of wisdom: To choose a fair way and a good horse, a warm chamber for to lodge in, and an honest man for his Host.  
Three principal desires amongst friends: to have and enjoy wealth, to possess honour: not to suffer necessity.  
Three things worthy of consideration in a Witness: the nature, the condition, the life. The nature, that a witness be a man, and not a woman; for women be diverse and inconstant in their reports: that he be free, and not a bondslave, for he will conceal a truth for fear of his master's displeasure: that he be innocent, not infamous; for justice will not accompany wicked men.  
Three things are good and necessary for every man: To understand well, to speak better, to do best of all.  
There be three sorts of people that will never be good: Old men without government, Young men without reverence, Maids without modesty.  
Three never failing weapons, wherewith a man may expel the devil: the Word of God, Faith in Christ jesus, fervent prayer.  
Three things chief to be remembered Gods benefits that we may render thankes: our sins, that we may be sorry for them; our death, that we may be careful to live well.  
Three things are called excellent Governors; God governeth the world, the mind governeth the soul, wisdom doth rule and govern the felicity of this life.  
Three things not to be trusted in: the Heels of a wild Horse, the teeth of a mad Dog, the Vows of a strumpet.  
Three things which are said to whet the eyesight: to view Fountains of water, to look upon green things, to behold a man's face in a lookingglass.  
Three things, though they be very good, yet they please not every body: Rain, though it do much good to the earth: Upright government: the labours of Learned men.  
There be three causes that make men to speak loud: First, when they are fare off unto whom they would speak, when they talk to one that is deaf, when they are enraged with anger.  
Three things which our Ancestors have ever abhorred: a reconciled Enemy, meat twice sodden, and a woman with a Beard.  
Women desire three things principally: to be gorgeously apparelled, to be esteemed, and to go where they list.  
God made three places for three several purposes: Heaven for the good, Hell for the wicked, Earth for both.  
Belief is of three sorts: to believe that there is a God, is of knowledge: to believe God is to consent to his truth: to believe in God, is to have true confidence in his mercy.  
Whosoever will retain a Lawyer, and lawfully seek his own right, must be furnished with these three pockets: In the first pocket he must have his Declaration and Certificate, wherewith he may show his Right: in the second pocket he must have store of Red-ruddockes: in the third pocket he must have patience, although the Law proceed against him.  
Three things will not prove well without beating: a Walnut-tree, an Ass, and a Woman.  
Three trades of life that may travel without Passports: Pedlars, Tinkers, and Minstrels.  
Three things bite sore: an old Dog, an hungry Fly, and an unconscionable Usurer.  
The Holy Ghost doth govern three things in every godly person: the mind, the heart, and the will: it doth enlighten the mind with the light of the holy Word, it doth kindle the heart, that it may conceive what it is that best pleaseth God: It doth move the will, to be willing to do whatsoever God willeth in his Word.  
The Holy Ghost doth confirm three things in us: Faith, Hope and Love.  
The proud Heart is destitute of three good things: It is hardened, and wanteth Godliness: it is void of Contrition, it is dry, wanting the dew of spiritual grace.  
A guilty Conscience wo●●eth in man three miracles: It maketh the heaven and the earth, though never so spacious, to be narrower than a mouse hole: It causeth even the strongest heart to be afraid at the wagging of every leaf: It stirreth up itself like a thousand witnesses.  
A man must keep his mind from these three things: Anger, because it fretteth; Hatred, because it consumeth; Glory, because it puffeth up with pride.  
The Judge must have respect into three things; the law, the guilty, and the people.  
A gentle mind is of three sorts; mild to suffer, ready to forgive, willing to help.  
A Wise man repenteth these three things; That he hath gone by Sea when he might have gone by land, that he hath revealed his secrets; that he hath let one day pass, wherein he hath not done some good and virtuous thing.  
Three sorts of women to be forsaken; an old woman wanton, a Maid full of Sleep, and a wife full of words.  
Three things to be pitied: a house full of motherless children, an honest man wrongfully accused, an old man left comfortless.  
Three kind of people be much spited at, but daily prosper: that is, the informing Lawyer, the usuring Broker, and the merciless Sergeant.  
Three kind of people fill Cities and Towns full of Vanity: that is the Poet, the Player, and the Pander.  
Three kind of people be seldom without company: that is the Usurer, without riotous gentlemen, the fair woman without wanton customers, and the liberal man without shameless beggars.  
Three pleasures may be well banished out of cities: that is, common bowling allies, public stage-plays, and begging music.  
There be three kind of people that be counted mad, (viz.) a rich Widow that marrieth an unthrifty Courtier, an old man, to please his child, makes himself a beggar, and he that gives trust to a drunken woman.  
There be three Plagues none worse: that is, to marry a fool, to hire a slut, and to serve a knave.  
Aristotle affirmeth, that a man can never yield thanks enough unto three: our God, our parents, and our masters.  
Three virtues worthy commendations in a woman: Sobriety, silence, and chastity.  
We salute three sorts of people where we meet them: our betters of necessity, our equals of our own will, our inferiors of our mere virtue.  
Gluttony doth hurt many three manner of ways: It maketh the body deformed: it breedeth infirmities, it causeth them to be insatiable like brute beasts.  
Three kinds of people are jealous: such as be evil of condition themselves, such as have fair wives, old men that marry young girls.  
There are three trades which are chief maintained in most places: that is, Bakers, Brewers, and Butchers.  
Three kind of things can never be suppressed: that is, the pride of women, the folly of young Heirs, and the Jealousy of old wives.  
Labour is good for three things: It occupieth the mind, and drives away fantasies: it helpeth the body in digestion, i● increaseth the substance.  
It is not good to brag of three things: that thou hast good wine, a fair wife, and plenty of money.  
A man may do three things without teaching: laugh, weep, and sleep.  
Men may lawfully fight in defence of these three: the Law, the Prince, and the Country.   
FJNJS.