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loth to find: as it was judged great wisdom in Pompeius Magnus that he burned Sertorius's papers unperused.

Vir fapiens, fi cum ftulto contenderit, five irafcatur, five rideat, non inveniet requiem. Here is described the great difadvantage which a wise man hath in undertaking a lighter person than himself; which is such an engagement as, whether a man turn the matter to jest, or turn it to heat, or howfoever he change copy, he can no ways quit himfelf well of it.

Qui delicatè a pueritia nutrit fervum suum, poftea fentiet eum contumacem. Here is signified, that if a man begin too high a pitch in his favours, it doth commonly end in unkindness and unthankfulness.

Vidifti virum velocem in opere fuo? coram regibus ftabit, nec erit inter ignobiles. Here is ob ferved, that of all virtues for rifing to honour, quickness of despatch is the best; for superiors many times love not to have those they employ too deep or too fufficient, but ready and diligent.

Vidi cunctos viventes qui ambulant fub fole, cum adolefcente fecundo qui confurgit pro eo. Here is expreffed that which was noted by Sylla first, and after him by Tiberius; Plures adorant folem orientem quam occidentem vel meridianum.

Si fpiritus poteftatem habentis afcenderit fuper te, locum tuum ne demiferis; quia curatio faciet ceffare peccata maxima. Here caution is given, that upon displeasure, retiring is of all courses the unfitteft;

for a man leaveth things at worst, and depriveth himself of means to make them better.

Erat Civitas parva, et pauci in ea viri: venit contra eam, rex magnus, et vadavit eam, inftruxitque munitiones per Gyrum, et perfecta eft obfidio; inventufque eft in ea vir pauper et fapiens, et liberavit eam per fapientiam fuam; et nullus deinceps recordatus eft hominis illius pauperis. Here the corruption of ftates is set forth, that esteem not virtue or merit longer than they have use of it. Mollis refponfio frangit iram. Here is noted that filence or rough Answer exasperateth; but an answer present and temperate pacifieth.

Iter pigrorum quafi fepes fpinarum. Here is lively represented how laborious floth proveth in the end; for when things are deferred till the last instant, and nothing prepared beforehand, every step findeth a Brier or an impediment, which catcheth or stoppeth.

Melior eft finis orationis quam principium. Here is taxed the vanity of formal speakers, that study more about prefaces and inducements, than upon the conclufions and iffues of speech.

Qui cognofcit in judicio faciem, non bene facit; ifte et pro bucella panis deferet veritatem. Here is noted, that a judge were better be a briber than a respecter of persons; for a corrupt judge offendeth not fo highly as a facile.

Vir pauper calumnians pauperes fimilis eft imbri vehementi, in quo paratur fames. Here is expreffed the extremity of neceffitous extortions,

figured in the ancient fable of the full and the hungry horseleech.

Fons turbatus pede, et vena corrupta, est justus cadens coram impio. Here is noted, that one judicial and exemplar iniquity in the face of the world, doth trouble the fountains of Juftice more than many particular Injuries paffed over by conni

vance.

Qui fubtrahit aliquid a patre et a matre, et dicit hoc non effe peccatum, particeps eft homicidii. Here is noted, that whereas men in wronging their best friends use to extenuate their fault, as if they might presume or be bold upon them, it doth contrariwife indeed aggravate their fault, and turneth it from Injury to impiety.

Noli effe amicus homini iracundo, nec ambulato cum homine furiofo. Here caution is given, that in the election of our friends we do principally avoid those which are impatient, as those that will espouse us to many factions and quarrels.

Qui conturbat domum fuam, poffidebit ventum. Here is noted, that in domeftical feparations and breaches men do promise to themselves quieting of their mind and contentment; but ftill they are deceived of their expectation, and it turneth to wind.

Filius fapiens latificat patrem: filius vero ftultus mæftitia eft matri fuæ. Here is distinguished, that fathers have most comfort of the good proof of their fons; but mothers have most discomfort

of their ill proof, because women have little difcerning of virtue, but of fortune.

Qui celat delictum, quærit amicitiam; fed qui altero fermone repetit, feparat fœderatos. Here caution is given, that reconcilement is better managed by an Amnesty, and paffing over that which is past, than by Apologies and excufations.

In omni opere bono erit abundantia; ubi autem verba funt plurima, ibi frequenter egeftas. Here is noted, that words and difcourfe abound moft where there is idleness and want.

Primus in fua causa justus; fed venit altera pars, et inquirit in eum. Here is obferved, that in all causes the first tale poffeffeth much; in fuch fort, that the prejudice thereby wrought will be hardly removed, except some abuse or falfity in the Information be detected.

Verba bilinguis quafi fimplicia, et ipfa perveniunt ad interiora ventris. Here is diftinguifhed, that flattery and infinuation, which feemeth fet and artificial, finketh not far; but that entereth deep which hath fhew of nature, liberty, and fimplicity.

Qui erudit deriforem, ipfe fibi injuriam facit; et qui arguit Impium, cibi maculam generat. Here caution is given how we tender reprehenfion to arrogant and scornful natures, whose manner is to esteem it for contumely, and accordingly, to re

turn it.

Da fapienti occafionem, et addetur ei fapientia.

Here is distinguished the wisdom brought into habit, and that which is but verbal, and swimming only in conceit; for the one upon occafion prefented is quickened and redoubled, the other is amazed and confused.

Quomodo in aquis refplendent vultus profpicientium, fic corda hominum manifefta funt prudentibus. Here the mind of a wife man is compared to a glass, wherein the Images of all diversity of Natures and Customs are represented; from which representation proceedeth that application,

Qui fapit, innumeris moribus aptus erit.

Thus have I ftaid somewhat longer upon these fentences politic of Solomon than is agreeable to the proportion of an example; led with a defire to give authority to this part of knowledge, which I noted as deficient, by fo excellent a precedent; and have also attended them with brief obfervations, such as to my understanding offer no violence to the sense, though I know they may be applied to a more divine use: but it is allowed, even in divinity, that some interpretations, yea, and some writings, have more of the Eagle than others; but taking them as Instructions for life, they might have received large discourse, if I would have broken them and illustrated them by deducements and examples.

Neither was this in use only with the Hebrews, but it is generally to be found in the wisdom of the more ancient Times; that as men found out

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