they will speak more then comes to their shares, in all companies, and by those bad courses accumulate much evil to their own souls, (qui contendit, sibi convicium facit) their life is a perpetual braul, they snarl like so many dogs, with their wives, children, servants, neighbours, and all the rest of their friends, they can agree with no body.

But to such as are judicious, meek, submiss, and quiet, these matters are easily remedied: they will forbear upon all such occasions, neglect, contemn, or take no notice of them, dissemble, or wisely turn it off. If it be a natural impediment, as a red nose, squint eyes, crooked legs, or any such imperfection, infirmity, disgrace, reproach, the best way is to speak of it first thy self, & so thou shalt surely take away all occasions from others to jest at, or contemn, that they may perceive thee to be careless of it.

Vatinius was wont to scoffe at his own deformed feet, to prevent his enemies obloquies and sarcasms in that kind; or else by prevention, as Cotys King of Thrace, that brake a company of fine glasses presented to him, with his own hands, lest he should be overmuch moved when they were broken by chance.

And sometimes again, so that it be discreetly and moderately done, it shall not be amiss to make resistance, to take down such a saucy companion, no better means to vindicate himself to purchase final peace: for he that suffers himself to be ridden, or through pusillanimity or sottishness will let every man baffle him, shall be a common laughing stock for all to flout at.

As a cur that goes through a Village, if he clap his taile between his legs, and run away, every cur will insult over him: but if he bridle up himself, and stand to it, give but a counter-snarle, there’s not a dog dares meddle with him: much is in a mans courage and discreet carriage of himself.

Many other grievances there are, which happen to mortals in this life, from friends, wives, children, servants, masters, companions, neighbours, our own defaults, ignorance, errours, intemperance, indiscretion, infirmities, &c. and many good remedies to mitigate and oppose them, many divine precepts to counterpoise our hearts, special antidotes both in Scriptures & humane Authors, which who so will observe, shall purchase much ease and quietness unto himself: I will point at a few.

Those Prophetical, Apostolical admonitions are well known to all; what Salomon, Siracides, our Saviour Christ himself hath said tending to this purpose, as Fear God: obey the Prince: be sober and watch: pray continually: be angry but sin not: remember thy last: fashion not your selves to this world, &c. apply your selves to the times: strive not with a mighty man: recompence good for evil, let nothing be done through contention or vain glory, but with meekness of mind, every man esteeming of others better then himself: love one another;

Or that Epitome of the law and the Prophets, which our Saviour inculcates, love God above all, thy neighbour as thy self: And whatsoever you would that men should do unto you, so do unto them, which Alexander Severus writ in letters of gold, and used as a motto. Hierom commends to Celantia as an excellent way, amongst so many inticements and worldly provocations to rectifie her life.

Out of humane Authors take these few cautions, Know thy self. Be contented with thy lot. Trust not wealth, beauty, nor parasites, they will bring thee to destruction.

Have peace with all men, war with vice. Be not idle. Look before you leap. Beware of Had I wist.

Honour thy parents, speak well of friends. Be temperate in foure things, lingua, loculis, oculis, & poculis. Watch thine eye. Moderate thine expences. Hear much, speak little. sustine & abstine. If thou seest ought amiss in another, mend it in thy self. Keep thine own counsel, reveal not thy secrets, be silent in thine intentions.

Give not ear to tale-tellers, bablers, be not scurrilous in conversation. Jest without bitterness: give no man cause of offence: set thine house in order. take heed of suretiship. Fide & diffide, as a fox on the ice, take heed whom you trust.

Live not beyond thy means. Give chearfully. Pay thy dues willingly. Be not a slave to thy mony; Omit not occasion, embrace opportunity, loose no time. Be humble to thy superiors, respective to thine equals, affable to all but not familiar. Flatter no man.

Lie not, dissemble not. Keep thy word and promise, be constant in a good resolution. Speak truth. Be not opinative, maintain no factions. Lay no wagers, make no comparisons. Find no faults, meddle not with other mens matters. Admire not thy self. Be not proud or popular. Insult not. Fortunam reverenter habe.

Fear not that which cannot be avoided. Grieve not for that which cannot be recalled. Undervalue not thy self. Accuse no man, commend no man rashly. Go not to law without great cause. Strive not with a greater man. Cast not off an old friend, Take heed of a reconciled enemy.

If thou come as a guest, stay not too long. Be not unthankful. Be meek, merciful and patient. Do good to all. Be not fond of fair words. Be not a newter in a faction; moderate thy passions. Think no place without a witness.

Admonish thy friend in secret, commend him in publike. Keep good company. Love others to be beloved thy self. Ama tanquam osurus. Amicus tardo fias. Provide for a tempest. Noli irritare crabrones.

Do not prostitute thy soul for gain. Make not a fool of thy self to make others merry. Marry not an old Crony or a fool for mony. Be not over sollicitous or curious. Seek that which may be found. Seem not greater then thou art. Take thy pleasure soberly. Ocymum ne terito.

Live merrily as thou canst. Take heed by other mens examples. Go as thou wouldst be met, sit as thou wouldst be found, yield to the time, follow the stream. Wilt thou live free from fears and cares? Live innocently, keep thy self upright, thou needest no other keeper, &c. Look for more in Isocrates, Seneca, Plutarch, Epictetus, &c. and for defect, consult with cheese-trenchers and painted cloths.