The Country-mans NEW COMMON-WEALTH.  
Being an exact Epitome of many witty sentences, pithy sayings, quaint observations, both Divine and moral.  
Partly collected and gathered out of the best approved Authors, both modern and domestic.  
Intended for private use, but thought fit to be published for the good of all.  
LONDON, Printed for Richard Harper, and are to be sold at his shop at the Bible and harp in Smithfield, 1647.   

To the Reader.  
THat Commonwealth doth always firmly stand,  
When as Religion walketh hand in hand  
With virtue, and have both their due regard,  
While merit doth obtain a faire reward.  
Needs must this New Commonwealth then flourish,  
Which doth reprove black 'vice, and virtue cherish,  
And doth contain more treasure in these lines,  
Then lieth hidden in the Indian Mines:  
Whose glittering gold is mixed with much oar,  
But this same happy Commonwealth hath store  
Of golden sentences, which are sweetly framed,  
By which rich knowledge may be easily gained  
Whose value doth exceed gold which is hide  
In the earths bowtls, as a thing forbid.  
But in this Commonwealth you here shall find  
wisdom, whose beauty doth adorn the mind;  
And since that contraries lively do declare  
Each others nature, when wee them compare  
Together, as black doth set forth the white,  
And darkness doth give lustre to the light,  
So virtue by her contrary doth appear  
More beauteous, and doth shine more bright and clear:  
Wherefore wee think that wee have matched right  
Each virtue with her neighbouring opposite,  
That you their beauty may both see and love,  
And hating 'vice, faire virtue may approve:  
These Sentences in these few lines enrold,  
You may for silver buy, which are worth gold.   


Of God.  
SImonides the more he studied to know what God was, the harder it did seem to him.  
God is called a Well because he hath all good things in himself, and that he doth communicate to his servants without any hindrance to himself.  
As much do wee owe to God for dangers from which he hath delivered us, as for the Dignities whereunto he hath raised us.  
God useth us not as our offences deserve, but as his mercy willeth.  
If God help he is merciful, if not, wee must not think him unjust.  
God though he be Omnipotent, could never make a Creature like himself.  
God is high, if thou lift up thyself to him, he flieth from thee; but if thou humble thyself to him, he cometh down to thee.  
Now seeing I have spoken of the mercies of God, I hope I shall not digress much from the matter if I speak something of his Judgements.  
So detestable( in the sight of God) is the sin of sacrilege, that he punished it in those that spoyled the vain Temples of the Heathen.  
Episus King of Arcadia for breaking up of Neptunes Temple was strooken blind.  
Mardorus spoiling of Circes Temple, was strooken and with all his Souldiers.  
Alexanders Souldiers seeking to spoil the Temple of the same Goddes were flaine with lightning.  
Scipios Souldiers that robbed the Temple at Tolossa dyed all miserable.  
And I make no doubt but misery will be the end of those miscreants of our time, which( most sacriligeously) have spoiled the Temples of the true God. But wee must wait Gods leisure, he will bring all things to good end when he sees time; I might have spoken more on so divine a Subject,( but as it is the saying of a wise man) divinity cannot be defined, and I do not love to exercise myself in things that be too high for me: wherefore I proceed to the next.   

Of Heaven.  
HEaven is the seat of God, and the Earth is his footstool.  
As Hell is the place of all horror, so Heaven is the haven of all happiness.  
Heaven is the Church of the Elect, the soul of the just, and the field of the faithful.  
It is hard to obtain Heaven, but easy to keep from thence, for the way to Heaven is nearer then the way to Hell.   

Of Angells.  
EVery ones Angel that hath governed him in this life, shall at the last day bring forth him whom he hath governed to Judgement. Origen.  
Angels have charge to conduct men; wisdom to instruct men, and grace to preserve men.  
Angels were the first Creatures that ever God made.  
Every true Minister is the Angel of God. Augustine.  
There are nine orders of Angels, Angels, Archangels, virtues, powers, Principalities, Dominations, Thrones, Cherubins, and Scraphins. Thales.   

Of virtue.  
HE that desireth to be called virtuous, it is first requisite that he be good.  
virtue is health, 'vice is sickness. Petra.  
virtue is a Stranger upon Earth, but a Citizen in Heaven.  
virtue goes not by birth, nor discretion by yeeres, for there are old fools, and young Counsellors. Guevarra.  
The first step to virtue, is to love virtue in another man.  
Pithagoras compareth virtue to the Letter( y) which is small at the foot, but wide at the head, hard to obtain, but pleasant to enjoy.  
virtue in general, is a Castle impregnable, a River that needs no rowing, a Sea that moveth not, a Treasure endless, an Army invincible, a Burden supportable, an ever turning spy, a sign deceitlesse, a plain way faillesse, a true guide without guile, a balm that cureth all diseases, an eternal honour that never death. Aurelius.   

Of Truth.  
THere is nothing so secretly hide, but time and truth will make manifest.  
Truth is the law of Arts,  
Truth may be often blamed, but never shamed.  
In shortest sayings, is most truth.  
Truth is a good cause, and needs no Oratory.  
four good Mothers, have four bad Daughters, Truth hath hatred, Prosperity hath pride, security hath peril, and familiarity hath contempt.   

Of Conscience.  
THere is no surer condemnation, then that of a mans own conscience.  
A guilty conscience is a worm that biteth and never ceaseth.  
Wicked men think it sufficient to lose a good conscience on the holidays, and work by their wits all the week.  
A grieved conscience is the sickness of the soul.  
The conscience is a book, wherein all our offences are written. Origen.   

Of Peace.  
HE justly deserveth the scourge of war, that wilfully refuseth the conditions of peace.  
Concord in a Commonwealth is like harmony in music.  
As much as in you lieth( saith St. paul) live peaceably with all men.  
Be at peace with men, but at war with vices. Demosthenes.  
Seeing for the obtaining of this peace which wee now so much want, it is needful that wee make use of prayer, that shall be my next subject.   

Of Prayer.  
THe just mans prayer appeaseth the wrath of God.  
Prayer is not to be attempted with force but with meekness of spirit. Augustin.  
The prayer of the afflicted augmenteth the clouds.  
The Romans upon certain high daye● prayed for increase of wealth, which Scipi●… ( being Censor) changed, saying, it was sufficient to pray to have it preserved, such as it was.  
Let prayers ascend, that grace may descend.  
He that knoweth how to pray well, knoweth how to live well; pray unto God at the beginning of all thy works that thou mayst bring them to a happy end. Socrates.  
Heaven shall cease to be, when it shall cease to run, and men shall cease to prosper, when they cease to pray.   

Of blessedness.  
THat man cannot be truly blessed in whom is no virtue.  
blessedness is an outward quietness.  
A blessed man cannot err.  
If thou knowest all that ought to be known, thou art truly blessed.  
True blessedness consisteth in a godly life and a happy death.  
Whether I shall err in joining love to blessedness or no, I doubt, but i'le venture.   

Of Love.  
Love is an unreasonable desire, which cometh swiftly, and departeth slowly.  
A friend loveth always, a Lover but for a time.  
The loving of beauty, is the forgetting of reason. Socrates.  
Cupid must not be resisted with courage, but entertained with courtesy.  
Love is a worm that commonly lives in the eye, and dyes in the heart.  
To be free from love is strange, but to think scorn to be beloved is monstrous.  
He that feeds upon fancy, may be troubled with the discession,  
Love gotten by witchcraft is as unpleasant, as fish taken with medicines is unwholesome.  
A man hath choice to begin love, but not to end it.  
To have a faire Mistris in love, and want gold to maintain her, to have store of people to sight, and no penny to pay them, will make your Mistris wild, and your Souldiers lame.  
He that makes his mistress a goldfinch, may perhaps find her a wagtaile.  
He that hath sore eyes must not look at the candle, nor he that would leave his love fall to remembering his Lady: so the one maketh his eyes to smart, the other causeth his heart to bleed.  
The passionate Lover if he sail, love is his Pilot, if he walk, love is his Companion, if he sleep, love is his pillow.  
Sophocles being demanded what harm he would wish his enemy; answered that he might love where he was not fancied.  
There are divers properties in love, self love is the roote of mischief, lascivious love, the roote of remorse, wanton love, the cowards warfare, pure love never saw the face of fear.  
As love is divine with loyalty; so is it a hell with jealousy.  
The most contrary to love of all the passions of the heart is hate; but because it is so soon turned thereinto, it shall be the next.   

Of Hate.  
envy is feigned by the Poets to dwell in a dark Cave, being pale and lean, looking a squint, abounding with gaule, her teeth black, never rejoicing but in others harms.  
The envious man is fed with dainty meat, so he continually feeds upon his one heart.  
fools are known by their babblings, Cocks by their combs, Lions by their claws, and an envious man by his manner of vices: Envy is the most ancient, Pride the greatest, and gluttony the foulest.  
I allow not of envy( saith Euripides) but for doing of good I would be envied.   

Of Women.  
WOmen were admirable Angels, if by the pride of heart they would not be drawn with Angels to become Devills.  
There is no Creatures in the World, that more desireth honour, and worse keepeth it, then a woman.  
Women for a little good, look for great praises; but for much evil, no chastisement.  
A fierce beast and a perilous enemy, to a Commonwealth, is a wicked woman, for she is of much power to do evil. Euripides.  
The Eagle when he soareth highest hovers for a prey, the Salamander is most warm, when he is farthest from the fire, and women are most heart hollow, when they are most lip holy.  
Women in mischief are wiser then men.  
He that hath been troubled with a crabbed mistress, may the better endure a cursed wife, and he that hath been troubled with a cursed wife, need not care what company he lives in.  
The depth of a womans heart hath a string that reacheth to the tongues end.  
Sophocles being asked when he brought in the persons of women, why he made them always good, whereas Euripides made them always bad, answered, I quoth he represent them as they should be, Euripides such as they be.  
Women if they are beautiful, are to be won with praises, if coy with prayers, if proud with gifts, if covetous with promises.  
Women in their loves, oft resemble Apothecaries in their arts, which choose the weeds for their shops, and leave the fairest slowers in the Garden.  
A faire woman having foul conditions, is like a painted Sepulchre full of rotten bones.  
Trust not a woman when she weepeth, for it is her nature to weep when she wanteth her will. Socrates.  
A faire, beautiful and chast woman, is the perfect workmanship of God, the true glory of Angels, the rare miracle of the Earth, the sole wonder of the World. Hermes.  
The fittest ornament to set forth a woman is beauty, of which next.   

Of Beauty.  
BEauty is such a fading good, that it can scarce be possessed before it be vanished.  
Beauty is a thing that benefits more another then it doth those who have it in possession.  
Beauty without honesty, is compared to poison preserved in a box of gold.  
choose not thy wife by her beauty, but by her virtues; for her good deeds will remain when age hath taken away her beauty.   

Of Dissimulation.  
HE that dwells near a Cripple, will soon learn to halt, and he that is conversant with a Dissembler, will soon learn to diffemble. Diogenes.  
Dissembled holinesse, is double iniquity.  
The flattering enemy is like the melody of sirens, which sing not to strirre up mitth, but to 'allure to mishap.  
It is better to speak the truth in few words, then to keep silence with deep dissimulation. Plato.  
A counterfeit disease, is often taken away with a false syrup.  
It is better to have an open foe, then a dissembling friend. Pithagoras.   

Of Folly.  
LAte wit and unfruitful wisdom, are next neighbours to folly.  
To be wanton without wit, is peevishnes, to be witty without wantonness, is preciseness.  
He that asks a question without a doubt, must have answer without reason.  
A faire person that is a fool, is like a faire house with an evil Host harbred therein. Diogenes.  
A thing done a fool knoweth, but a wise man forseeth things to come.   

Of Flatterers.  
FLatterers are compared to swallows, which in Summer creep into every house, but at Winter leave nothing behind them but dirt.  
As no Ulter will sleep where there is no prey; so no flatterer will lurk where there is no gain.  
It is better to fall amongst Ravens then amongst flatterers, for the Ravens will not eat a man till he be dead; but flatterers will devour them alive. Plutarch.  
Like as a chameleon hath all colours save white; so hath a flatterer all points save honesty.   

Of Wit.  
THe ornaments of wit are more faire then badges of Nobility.  
One mans will, is another mans wit.  
Wine is such a whetstone for wit, that if it be oft set thereon, where it found an edge, it will scarce leave a back.  
There are three things which argue a good wit, invention, conceiving, and answering.  
Wit without learning is like a three without fruit.  
Many by wit purchase wealth, but none by wealth purchase wit.  
Non sapit, qui sibi non sapit. ever.   

Of Knowledge.  
KNowledge is of such a quality, that the more a man knoweth, the more he desireth to know.  
To know and not to be able to perform, is a double mishap.  
Alexander the great made so much of knowledge, that he was wont to say, that he was more bound to Aristotle for his learning, then to his Father for his life.  
In War Iron is better then Gold, and in a mans life, knowledge is better then riches.  
The best knowledge, is for a man to know himself. Socrates.  
Experience is the mistress of age.  
Socrates gave thanks to God for three things, first, that he was a man, and not a woman, secondly, that he was a graecian, and not a Barbarian, thirdly, that he was a Philosopher, and not unlearned.  
He that knoweth not what he ought to know, is a brute beast amongst men, he that knoweth no more then he needs to know, is a man amongst brute beasts; but he that knoweth all that is to be known, is a God amongst men. Pithagoras.   

Of Eloquence.  
BRevity is a great praise of eloquence. Cicero.  
It is a special virtue to speak little and well.  
Unprofitable eloquence is like Siprestrees that are great and tall, but bear no fruit.  
There are two times when a man should use eloquence: the first, when the matter is necessary: the second, when he speaketh that which he knoweth.   

Of Patience.  
PAtience is a voluntary enduring of hard things, for the desire of virtue. Socrates.  
It is more safety to forget an injury, then to revenge it. Aurelius.  
Patience is the best solace against love and fortune, the sweetest medicine for misery is patience, and the only salue for want, is content.   

Of Temperance.  
TEmperance calleth a man back from gross effects, and carnal appetites, letting him not exceed in foolish rejoicing nor ungodly sorrow. Solon.  
A young man untemperate and full of carnal affections, quickly turneth the body into age and feebleness. Anaxagoras.  
Men must eat to live, and not live to eat.  
Temperance is rich in most losses, confident in all perils, prudent in all faults, and happy in itself.  
Trim not thy house with tables and pictures, but paint and guild it with temperance.  
The parts of temperance, are modesty, shamefacenesse, abstinence, continency, honesty, moderation, sparingness, and sobriety. Plato.   

Of Kings.  
THe Majesty of a King is like the lightning from the East, and his threats like the noise of thunder. Solomon.  
It is necessary for Princes to bestoute, and also rich, that by their stoutness they may get their own, and by their riches repress their enemies.  
It is better for a King to defend his own country by justice, then conquer anothers by tyranny.  
Children born of Kings, are composed of a precious mass, to be separated from the common sort. Plato.  
Kings as they are men before God, so are they Gods before men. Lactan.  
So great is the person and dignity of a Prince that using his authority as he ought, that being here on the Earth, representeth the Majesty of God in Heaven. Ambros.  
He that defendeth his country with the sword, deserveth honour; but he that maintaineth it in peace, meriteth more honour. Plato.   

Of courtesy.  
PRoud looks lose hearts, but courteous words win them.  
courtesy bewaileth her dead enemies, and therisheth her living friends.  
As a peg straineth the lute strings; so courtesy straineth the heart strings.  
Hereafter follow some few precepts.  
Let not the eye go beyond the ear, nor the tongue beyond the feet. Plato.  
choose rather to live solitary, then in the company of evil women.  
Be not secure, lest want of care procure thy calamity; nor too careful, lest pensive thoughts oppress thee.  
speak no more to a stranger in private, then thou wouldest have known in public.  
Behold thyself in a glass, and if thou seem beautiful do such works as becometh thy beauty, but if foul, then perform with good manners the beauty that thy face wanteth. Socrates.  
keep secret thy mishap lest thy enemy rejoice.  
Strive not in words with thy Parents, though thou tell the truth.  
Boast not of thy good deeds, lest thy evil also be laid to thy charge.   

Of Sentences.  
WHere sundry flies bite, the gaule is great, and where every hand fleeseth, the sheep goeth naked. Demosthenes.  
Eagles always fly alone, and they are but sheep that always flock together.  
He that bites of every weed to seek out the nature, may light on poison, and he that will be sifting of every cloud may be smitten with a thunder boult.  
Where the knot is loose the string slippeth, and where the water is shallow no vessel will ride.  
He that makes himself a sheep, may be bitten of every wolf.  
Where the demand is a jest, the fittest answer is a scoff.  
Who will resist love, must either have no wit, or else put out his eyes.  
Where Doggs fall a snarling, Serpents a hissing, and Women a weeping, the first means to bite, the second to sting, and the third to deceive.  
Love is to a yielding heart a King, but to a resisting, a Tyrant.  
It is folly to refuse the help of strangers, when wee may have it, and stand in need thereof.   

Similitudes.  
AS golden pillars do shine upon the sockets of silver, so doth a faire face with a vermous mind.  
As the strong bitterness of the Allow three taketh away the sweetness of the sweetest hony; so evil works corrupt and take away the praise of good deeds.  
As the savour of stinking carrion is noisome to them that smell it, so the speech of fools is tedious to them that hear it. Solon.  
As men eat divers morsels, which if they should eat whole, would choke them; so by divers dayes wee suffer troubles, which if they should come together, would make an end of us in one day.  
As it were folly to forsake the clear fountain, and to drink puddle water, so it were foolishness to forsake the Gospel of Christ, and go after the bleating of Jeroboams calves in Dan and in bethel.  
As wine( in Platoes opinion) is the daughter of variety; so love( in Iamblicus censure) is the fruit of idleness.  
As a vessel is known by the sound, whether it be whole or broken; so men are known by their speech, whether they are wise or foolish. Demosthenes.  
As he is unfortunate that is poor and deformed; so they are not to be accounted happy that are only rich and beautiful.   

Proverbs.  
A Little stream seemeth to drive a light Mill.  
A small score will serve to pay a short reckoning.  
A lean fee, is fit for a lazy clerk.  
It is evil halting before a Cripple.  
Too much familiarity, breeds contempt.  
After death the physician.  
Much coin, much care.  
In little meddling, lieth much rest.  
Wake not a sleeping lion.   

Of wisdom.  
THe first point of wisdom is to know that which is false, the second to discern that which is true. Lactan.  
wisdom is the food of the soul.  
All is but lip wisdom, that wanteth experience.  
wisdom teacheth us as well to do well, as to speak well.  
wisdom is a three that springeth in the heart, and beareth fruit in the tongue.  
It is a point of great wisdom to know whereto the time best serveth.  
wisdom garnisheth wealth, and shadoweth poverty. Socrates.   

Hope.  
HE that will lose a favour for a hope, hath some wit, but small store of wisdom Bias.  
To be clean without hope, is a hap incident to the unhappy man.  
Hope grounded on God, never faileth, but on the world, never thriveth.  
A godly and virtuous man ought always to hope well, and to fear nothing.  
He that thinketh to thrive by hope, may happen to beg in misery. Bion.  
A cowardly lover without hope, shall never gain faire love with good fortune.   

Of Charity.  
CHarity is the scope of all Gods commandements. Chrysostome.  
Charity increaseth faith, begetteth hope, and maketh us at one with God.  
A charitable man, is the true lover of God. Severus.  
To love with all the soul, is to love wisely, to love with all the heart, is to prefer the love of God before all things; to love with all the strength, is manfully to suffer for the truth. Augustine.  
The measure in loving God, is to love him without measure.  
All charity is love, but not all love charity.  
A poor man being in charity is rich; but a rich man without charity is poor.  
Charity is the way of God to man, and the way of man to God.  
He always hath to give, that is full of charity. Bernard.  
The greatest argument of good love, is to love what God loveth.   

Humility.  
HE that gathereth virtues without humility, casteth dust against the wind. Gregory.  
The chief point of mans humility, is to subject his will to the will of God. Demosthenes.  
Happy is that man whose ruling is great, and his spirit humble.  
The spirit of God delighteth to dwell in the heart of the humble man. Erasmus.  
The best armor of the mind, is humility.  
There are three degrees of humility: the first; of repentance; the second, of desire of righteousness; and the third, of works of mercy.  
To the humble minded man, God revealeth the knowledge of his truth.  
Charity with humility purchaseth eternity.  
As lowliness of heart, maketh a man hie●… y in the favour of God; so meekness of words maketh him sink deeply into the hearts of men.  
Charity with humility, purchaseth eternity.   

Pride.  
HE that bruseth the Olive-tree with hard iron, fetcheth out no oil, but water, and he that pricketh a proud heart with persuasions, purchaseth only hate and envy.  
Men that have their estates low, and their thoughts high, live always a pensive and discontented life.  
It is better to live in low content, then in high infamy.  
Aspiring pride is like a vapour, that ascendeth high, but vanisheth away in a smoke. Plato.  
He that knoweth himself best, esteemeth himself least.  
Lewis the eleventh King of France, was wont to say, when pride was in the saddle, mischief and shane were on the crupper.  
Pompey could abide no equal, and Caesar could suffer no superior.   

Ingratitude.  
INgratitude challengeth revenge by custom, and is a sin hateful before God and man.  
impudence, is companion of the monster ingratitude.  
It is a shameless and unthankful part, always to crave, and never to give. Marcus.  
Ingratitude loseth all things in himself, by forgetting his duty to his friend.  
Two heads upon one body is a monstrous sight; but one unthankful heart in a bosom, is more odious to behold. bias.  
Nothing sooner waxeth old, then a good turn or benefit.  
An unthankful person, is compared to a vessel boared full of holes. Lactan.  
Plato called Aristotle a Mule for his ingratitude.  
The laws of Athens, Persia, and Macedonia, condemned unthankful persons to death.   

Of fear.  
NO man can be just, except he fear and reverence God.  
He that feareth God truly, serveth him faithfully, loveth him entirely, prayeth unto him devoutly, and distributeth to the poor liberally.  
It is the property of a servant to fear for hatred, but a son feareth for love. Ambros.  
It is mere folly to fear that which wee cannot shun.  
To demand how many, and not where the enemies are, is a sign of cowardly fear.  
It is better to fear thy choice, then to rue thy chance.  
The law of fears was melted in the mould of love, by Christ. Augustine.  
It is requisite for all men to love God, and to live in his fear, but such as worship him lest any harm should happen to them, are like those that hate Tyrants in their hearts, but endeavour to please them, because they would quietly possess what they enjoy.   

Of Chastity.  
CHastity is of sinal force to resist, where wealth and dignity are armed to assault.  
Chastity is the seal of grace, the staff of devotion, the mark of the just, the crown of virginity, the glory of life, and a comfort in martyrdom.  
Chastity goeth cheap, where gold is not thought deere.  
idleness is an enemy to chastity.  
The first step to chastity, is first to know the fault, and next to avoid it.  
Though the body be never so faire, yet without chastity, it cannot be beautiful.  
Beauty without chastity, is like a mandrake apple, faire in show, but poisonous in taste  
Amongst all the conflicts of a christian man, none is more hard then of a chast mind, for the sight is continual, and the victory rare. Cyprian.    

Hereafter follow divers sayings,( without distinction) drawn out of variety of Divine, historical, poetical, politic, moral, and human Writers.  
THE Oracle of Apollo at Delphos, being demanded, why Jupiter should be the chief God? Sith Mars was the best soldier: answered, Mars is valiant, but Jupiter is wise: concluding, that policy is of more force then valour.  
Wise men prefer and admire the unjustest peace, before the justest war.  
custom( though never so ancient) without truth, is but an old error.  
If thou art backbited, rejoice, if guiltless; if guilty, amend.  
Riches and honour are broken pillars, but innocence is an unmoving columbe.  
It is better for a man to be made a Judge amongst his enemies, then amongst his friends: for of his enemies he should make one his friend, but of his friends, one his enemy.  
Women by nature are more pitiful then men, but being once moved to anger, they become more envious then a Serpent, more malicious then a Tyrant, and more deceitful then the devil. Socrates.  
Be always doing of somewhat, that the devil find thee not idle. Hierom.  
Socrates inviting certain of his friends to a Banquet, was by some of them reproved for his slender provision, whereto he answered, if they be virtuous here is enough, if not, here is too much.  
idleness maketh of men, women; of women, beasts; of beasts, monsters. Homer.  
To strain farther then the sleeve will reach, maketh the arm bare, and to skip beyond ones skill, is to leap, but not know where to light.  
Bias holding was with Ipocrates King of Athens, falling into the lashe of his enemies, his Souldiers fearfully asking him what they should do? He answered, make report to the living that I dyed valiantly fighting, and I will say to the dead, that you escaped cowardly flying.  
He that hath but one eye must sear to lose it, and he that hath but one virtue must die ere he ruin it.  
It is better to be banished ones country with wise men, then to live there still amongst fools.  
A silent dead is better then an unprofitable word.  
He that praises a man openly will not stick to flatter him secretly. Diogenes.  
In doing what wee ought, deserves no praise, because it is a duty. Augustine.  
God giveth his judgements by weight, but his mercy without measure. Erasmus.  
It is treason against God and man for a servant to strike his Master, but most damnable for a Subject to touch the Lords Anointed.  
He that of custom makes little account of his Prince, may swear often, but seldom be believed. bias.  
As silence is a gift without peril, and containeth many good things in itself, so it were better our silence brought our simplicity in question, then to speak either inconveniently, idly, or unnecessarily.  
Women are better to conceive children, then to conceal secrets.  
Scarcity of others is a most blessed barrenness.  
clouds cannot hid secrets, nor denials conceal truths. Demosthenes.  
To play the scoffing fool well, is sign of some wit, but small store of wisdom.  
Tis good to hold an ass by the bridle, and a scoffing fool by his wits end.  
There are in the eye three sorts of tears; the first, of joy, which in old men show their kindness; the second, of grief, which in wretched men show their misery; the third, of dissimulation, which in women show their nature.  
There are three things which cost dearly, and consume quickly, a faire woman, that is unchaste, a rich garment, that hath many cuts, and a wealthy stock, on an ill husband.  
A fool clothed in a gay garment, if he get any courtesy, may thank his weed, not his wit.  
He that wasteth his substance to follow every fashion, may be counted the Mercers friend, the tailors fool, and his own foe bias.  
If( by the Civill law) a child may have a action in the cause, against him that shall deface the portract of his father, how much will it displease God, if by artificial painting we strive to correct his workmanship?  
Philip( King Alexanders father) falling upon the sands, and seeing there the print of his body, said, how little a portion of ground nature is content with? And yet wee covet the whole world.  
No man is so old, but that he thinketh he may live another year. Hierom.  
The greatest thing that may be said to be contained in a little room, is the soul in a mans body.  
Cupid alloweth none in his Court, but such as are young that can serve, fresh and beautiful to delight, wise that can talk, secret to keep silence, faithful to gratify, and valiant to revenge his mistress wrongs.  
He that chooseth an apple by the skin, and a man by his face, may be deceived in the one, and overshot in the other.  
Every soul is either the spouse of Christ, or the adulteress of the devil. Chrysostome.  
It is a presage of good fortune to young Maides, when flowers fall from their hats, falsehood from their hearts, and incontinency from their choice.  
Let men obey the laws, and women their husbands. Socrates.  
choice is soonest deceived in these three things; in brokers wears, courtiers promises, and womens constancies.  
It is not meet that young men should mary yet, and old men never. Diogenes.  
Reno the stoic, of all virtues commended silence, for by it saith he I hear other mens imperfections, and conceal mine own.  
If a man mary himself to one faire and dishonest, he weddeth himself to a world of misery, and if to one beautiful and never so honest, yet let him think this, he hath gotten a woman, and therefore a necessary evil.  
It is better to mary a quiet fool, then a witty scold.  
It is better to die well, then to live wantonly. Socrates.  
A good sentence proceeding from a wicked mans mouth loseth his grace.  
The ways to wickedness are many, plain, and common, but to goodness but one, and that hard to find because it is but seldom trodden.  
It is a dishonest victory, that is gotten by the spoil of a mans own country. Cicero.  
Cabistes the harlot was wont to say that she exiled Socrates, because she could draw away his auditors from him, no marvel quoth he, for thou allurest them to dishonesty, to which the way is plain, but expose them to virtue, whose way is hard to find.  
Lust bringeth short life, prodigality wretched life, and perseverance in sin, eternal damnation.  
Where youth is void of exercise, there age is void of honesty.  
A proud heart in a beggar, is like a great fire in a small cottage, which doth not only warm the house, but burn all that is in it.  
Socrates when he saw Alciababes boasting of his great possessions, shewed him the map of the world, and asked him if he knew which were his lands in all the territories of others, who answered him, they were not there described, how is it then( saith Socrates) that thou boastest of that which is no part of the world?  
He that is superfluous in his diet, sumptuous in his apparel, and lavish of his tongue, is a Cookes hope, a tailors thrift, and the son of repentance.  
Who spends before he thrive, will beg before he think.  
A proud eye, an open purse, and a light-wife, bring mischief to the first, misery to the second, and horns to the third.  
A covetous man in gathering wealth, purchaseth carefulness for himself, envy for his neighbour, a prey for thieves, peril for his person, and damnation for his soul.  
Usury maketh the Noble man sell his Lands, the Lawyer his Justinian, the physician his galen, the soldier his Sword, the merchant his wears, and the World his Peace.  
Philip King of Macedonia making war against the Persians, understood that they were a people given to all manner of delicious living, retired his Army, saying, it was needless to make war upon them, who would shortly overthrow themselves.  
The first draft a man drinketh should be for thirst; the second, for nourishment; the third, for pleasure; and the fourth, for madness. Anacharsis.  
It is observable at meales, that these few principals be principally observed and kept; to pick no quarrels, to tell no long tales, to tell no sad news, to talk of no State matters, to lay no wagers, to make no comparisons, to take no tobacco, to propound no difficult questions, &c. But a merry, affable, and pleasant countenance, with conceited jests, seasoned with well relished discourse, is fit table talk.  
He shall be known by the cogniscance of a fool, that forbears his work or his journey, because his almanac says it will rain.  
Sow not the seed of dissension, lest thou reap the harvest of repentance.  
St. Martin seeing a sheep new shore, said this sheep hath fulfilled the commandement, for she having two coats, hath partend with him that hath none.  
He that looks upon a lewd woman with delight, is in his way to Hell, he that talks with her, mends his place, and he that enjoys her, is at his journeys end.  
To seek gain by wars, is wickedness, by sea dangerous, but by husbandry lawful.  
As sheep being on the plain are driven into a thicket of brambles for shelter, lose their coats; so men being on the plains of this world, and oppressed with a powerful adversary, and flying to the Law for refuge, hardly escape without losing their substance.  
The heart of a fool, is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart.  
The Scorpion if he touch never so lightly, invenometh the whole body, the least spark of wildfire, setteth a whole house in a flamme, the Cockatrice killeth men with her sight, the sting of love and beauty woundeth deadly, the flames of fancy setteth all the thoughts on fire, and the eyes of a Lover wounded with beauty are counted uncurable.  
Riches are painful to fools, and poverty pleasant to the wise.  
Shape beautifies an Image, and good astions commend a man.  
He is not poor that hath little, but he that desireth much.  
All new actions seem faire, but they are but like a painted woman.  
Nothing deserveth to be commended unless it be virtuous.  
Care not for poverty, since no man liveth basely as he was born.  
It is greater praise to help the helpless, then to maintain the heedless.  
As the shadow followeth the body; so praise followeth virtue. Seneca.  
The Mouse that hath but one hole, is soon taken, and he that hath but one way to resist evil, is quickly overthrown.  
All errors by labour are cured, high mountaines leveled, and weak wit refined.  
gladness of heart causeth length of life; but grief hasteneth death.  
Sith joys are but short, take pleasure when it comes, for sorrows headlong follow one another.  
Pleasure amongst virtues, is like a harlot amongst honest women, for by her flattery she destroyeth many.  
Liberty in the mind, is a sign of goodness, in the tongue, of foolishness, in the hands, of theft, and in our life, want of grace.  
Like as a battered or crazed ship, by drinking in of water, not only drowneth herself, but all those that are in her: So a ruler, by using viciousness, destroyeth not himself alone, but all those that are under his government.  
he that refuseth to by good counsel cheap, shall buy repentance too deere.  
Beauty in the faces of women, and folly in their hearts, are to worms that fretteth life, and wasteth goods.  
Virgins hearts are like cotton-trees, whose fruit is so hard in the bud, that it soundeth like steel, but being ripe and put forth, is nothing but wall.  
Like as to a shrewd horse belongeth a sharp bridle; so a cursed wife ought to be sharply handled. Plato.  
The rule for a woman to live by, is her husband, if he be obediant to the laws public.  
If thy parents wax poor, supply their want with thy wealth, if froward with age, bear patiently with their imperfections.  
Be neither hasty, angry, nor wrathful, for they are the conditions of a fool.  
As it is impossible with one and the same eye, to behold Heaven and Earth; so is it impossible with one disordinate will to love God and the world. August.  
virtue, is the Queen of labours, opinion, the mistress of fools, vanity, the pride of nature, and contention the overthrow of families.  
apparel thyself with justice, and cloath thyself with chastity; so shalt thou be happy and thy works prosper.  
Let virtue, be thy life, valour, thy love, and Heaven, thy felicity.  
Fortitude without wisdom, is but rashness, wisdom without justice, is but craftiness, justice without temperance, is but cruelty, temperance without fortitude, is but savagenesse.  
As the three is known by his fruit, the gold by the touch, and the bell by the sound; so is a mans birth by his benevolence, his honour by his humility, and his calling by his courtesy.  
As the moon doth show her light in the World, which she borroweth from the Sun; so wee ought to bestow the benefits received of God, to the profit and commodity of our neighbours.  
Bounty liath open hands, a zealous heart, a constant faith in earth, and a place prepared in heaven.  
The way to live with honour, and die with praise, is to be honest in our desires, and temperate in our tongues.  
Happy is that man whom worldly pleasures cannot draw from the contemplation of God, and whose life is a continual prayer.  
Not the rich but the wise, avoid misery, and become happy and blessed.  
The greatest flood hath the soonest ebb, the sorest tempest, the suddainest calm, the hottest love the coldest end, and from the deepest desire oft-times proceedeth the deadliest hate.  
A faire woman unconstant, may be compared to a counterfeit, with particles made of Flora, before which if one stood directly, it did seem to weep, if on the left side to laugh, if one the right side, to sleep.  
Famina nulla bona est, vel si bona contigit ulli, nescio quo facto modo res facta bona est.   

Some moral Sentences.  

HE that hopes to thrive,  
must rise at five:  
He that hath thriven,  
may lye till seven:  
But he that will never thrive,  
may lye till eleven.  
smoke, rain, and a very cursed wife,  
Makes a man weary of house and life.   

The painful wight hopes not to lack  
Food, or clothing to his back.   

Wishers and woulders  
Were never good house-holders.   

A Popes Bull,  
A dead mans skull,  
And a crooked Trull,  
Are not all worth a fleece of wool.   

A faire wife, a wide house, and a back-doore,  
Will quickly make a rich man poor.   

Thy sword, thy horse, and eke thy wife,  
Lend not at all, lest it breed strife.   

In choice of a wife let virtue be thy guide,  
For beauty's a blossom that fadeth like pride,  
And wealth without wisdom, will waste fast away,  
If chast thoughts be lacking, all soon will decay.   
FINIS.