,transcriber's note3 ,the printed text marks the first few leaves of each #af-page signature3 ,a4i41 ,a4ii4444 ,other page breaks are marked in this e-text with double lines ,a few apparent typographic errors were corrected and are listed at the end of the text4 ,other irregularities are noted but were left unchanged4 ,all other spelling1 capitalization and punctuation are as in the original4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,a ,,ve- ry pleasaunt fruitful ,dio- loge called the 99,epicure991 made by that fa- mous clerke ,eras mus of ,rotero- dame1 newly translated4 #aede4 99 99 99 99 99 ,s4 ,paule to the ,ephesians ,you that haue professed ,christ1 suffre not your selues to be deceyued vvith false doctrine1 nor vaine and noughtie talkyng1 but herken vnto all ,godly thynges1 and especially too the doctryne of the ,gospell4 ,a4ii4 ,,the ,,habovn- daunt mercie and grace of our heauenly father ,iesu ,christ1 maye alwaies strengthen and defende oure noble vertuous ,prynce ,ed- ward too the mainte- naunce of the liue- ly woord of ,god4 ,whereas manye histories of olde auncient antiquitie1 and also al godly ,christi writers most playnely const together1 and agree in this1 that dignitie1 riches1 kinred1 worldly pompe1 and renoume1 doo neither make men better1 ne yet happiar1 contrarie too the blynde fonde iudgement of the most part of menne3 but by the power and strength of the mynde1 that is1 learnyng1 wysedome1 and vertue1 all menne are hyghly enriched1 ornated1 most purely beutified1 for these bee thinges bothe notable1 eternall1 and verye familiar betwene the heauenly father vs4 ,it is therefore euidente 7most excellent ,prince7 that the fittest ornamtes for your graces tender age1 bee1 eruditi and vertue4 ,wherunto you are bothe so ernestly addicte and therin so wderfully doo preuaile1 that ,i nede not too exhorte exstimulate your grace vnto the study thereof4 ,for that ,god him self hath wrought1 and fourmed your mynde so apt and desirous too attayne and diligtly too seeke for al godly doctrine1 that eu now you doo shewe in all youre saiynges and dooinges suche a wonderfull pleasates much lyke vnto a certayne swete musike or harmonie1 that any honest hart exceadinglye woulde reioyce in the sight therof4 ,verely1 your grace thinketh plainly all time lost1 that is not bestowed vpon learnyng1 which is a verie rare thyng in anye childe1 and rarest of all in a ,prince4 ,thus youre noblenes1 rather desireth vertue and ,a4iii4 learning the most surest and excellent treasures1 which farre surmounte all worldly ryches1 then anye vanities or trifles4 ,nowe youre grace prepareth for the holsome and pleasaunt foode of the mynde4 ,now you seke for that whiche you shal fynd most surest helper and faythfulst councellour in all your affaires4 ,now your magnifict mynde studieth that1 whiche all ,englyshe menne with meke and humile heartes shuld desire ,,god to endue your grace with all4 ,now with diligent labour you searche for a thyng1 as one most myndeful of this saiyng3 ,happy is that realme that hath a lerned ,prince4 ,nowe you trauaile for that1 whiche conquereth1 and kepeth doune all greuous tourmentes outragious affections of the mynde1 too the furderaunce of good liuyng1 and maintenace of vertue1 ,i meane holsome erudition and learnyng4 ,many ,heathen ,princes forsoth1 are highly magnified with most ample prayses1 which gaue them selues too the study of ,philosophie1 or knowledge of tongues1 for their owne commoditie1 and especially for the weale of their subiectes4 ,who is nowe more celebrated and worthelier extolled then ,mithridates8 that noble kyng of ,pont and ,bithinia1 which1 7as ,aulus ,gellius writeth7 vnderstoode so perfitly the languages of 4xxii4 sondrye countries that were vnder his domini1 that he neuer vsed any interpretour too answer his subiectes1 but spake their lguages so finelye1 as thoughe he had been of the same cotrie4 ,ageyn1 that honorable manne ,quintus ,ennius saied3 that he had 4iii4 heartes1 because he coulde speake ,greke1 ,italian1 and ,latin4 ,yea1 and breuely1 the most famaus writers1 as well the ,heathen1 as the ,christien1 with an vniuersall consent1 playnly affirme3 ,whan thei had weied the nature and condici of the purest thinges vnder heauen1 thei sawe nothyng faire1 or of any pryce1 or that ought too be accpted ours1 but onely vertue and learning4 ,euen now too acknowledge that same1 it is yeou you from aboue1 for your grace delecteth in nothyng more then too bee occupied in the holye ,byble3 wherin1 ,a4iiii4 you beginne too sauer smelle furth the treasure of wisedome1 knowledge and fulnes of the deuyne power1 that is a studie most conuenient for euery ,christien ,prince1 that kynd of studye cannot haue sufficient laude and commendation4 ,whose ,princely heart forsoth1 is raueshed on suche a godlie and vertuous studie1 it can neuer haue condigne and worthie praises1 but deserueth alwaies too bee had in great price1 estimation1 and honour4 ,who dooeth not know8 that ,prince which is yeouen vnto the scriptures of ,god and with a stoute stomake and valit heart1 both searcheth furth and also defendeth ye true doctrine of the ,gospell1 too bee inrolled in the assemble of ,christ4 ,who dooeth not see8 that ,prince too bee moost surelye armed1 which carieth in his heart the swerd of ye spirit1 which is the blessed woord of ,god4 ,who is ignoraunt8 that euer lastyng lyfe consisteth in the knoweledge of ,god4 ,what ,prince woulde not studie to maintaine that1 which is written for the health1 and saluation of all menne weiyuge with himselfe that a ,prince can not deserue1 neither by conquest1 ciuel policie1 nor yet by anye other meane vnder heauen1 thys name high or honorable1 so wourthely as by the setting forward of ,goddes woorde4 ,what young ,prince humily defendyng doune intoo him selfe and callyng to memory his bounden dutie woulde not with a glad hearte and a chearfull mynde1 gredelye desyre too knowe1 enlarge1 and amplifie the glory and maiestie of hys derely beloued father8 ,your grace 7forsoth7 hath professed ,god too bee your father3 ,blessed are you then if you obey vnto hys word1 and walke in his waies4 ,blessed are you1 yf you supporte suche as preache the ,gospell4 ,blessed are you1 yf your mind bee full furnished with the testament of ,christ1 and shew your selfe too bee the most cruel too and enemy agaynst ypocrisie1 supersticion1 and all papistical phantasies1 wherwith the true religion of ,god hathe been dusked and defaced these many yeres ,blessed are you1 if you reade it daye nighte1 that your grace maye knowe what ,,god dooeth forbyd you1 and ,a4v4 euer submit your selfe therunto with seruiceable lowlines chiefly desiring to florysh and decke your mynd with godly knowledge4 ,and most blessed are you1 if you apply your self vnto al good workes1 plant surely in your heart the scriptures of ,christ1 ,if you thus doo1 nether the power of any papistical realme1 nor yet of hel can preuaile at any time against your grace4 ,nowe therfore1 with humile hearte1 faithfully receiue the swete promises of the ,gospel4 ,if you kepe the woordes of the ,lorde and cleaue fast vnto them3 there is promised you the kingdome of heauen3 ,you are promised a weale publick most riche and welthy ,you are promised too bee deliuered from the deceiptes of all youre priuie enemyes4 ,you are promised also1 too conquere great and mightie nations4 ,agayne1 let your grace bee most fully perswaded in this1 that ther was neuer ,kyng nor ,prince1 that prospered whiche tooke parte against ,goddes woord1 and that the greatest abhomination that can bee1 either for ,kyng1 ,prince1 or any other manne1 is too forsake the true woord of ,god4 ,o with howe rebukefull woordes greuous iudgement thei be condemned1 which dispice set lytle by the holy ,byble most blessed ,testamt of ,god1 wherin there is contained all the wil pleasure of our heauly father toward vs most miserable ignoraunt wretches ,who would not quake1 too beholde the terrible feares threatenynges of ,god ageinst al suche8 ,who would not lament gladly helppe their obstinate blyndenes8 ,who woulde not weepe8 to heare and reade in how many places1 they be openly accursed by the scriptures of ,christ4 ,god him self playnely affirmeth1 that he wyll sodnly consume them with the breath of his anger4 ,yea1 besides that whoso euer declyneth from the word of ,god is accursed in all his doynges1 whether he be ,kyng1 or ,prynce1 riche1 or poore1 or of what estate soeuer he bee4 ,this fearfull saiyng 7most excellent ,prynce7 shulde moue all men to take hede vnto their duties and to praie that gods word maie take place emgist vs4 ,o that al men would fantasie the scriptures of ,god1 and saye with the vertuous man ,iob4 ,wee will not bee ageynst the woordes of the holy one4 ,truth it is1 ,god taketh diligent care too haue vs al know his woord4 ,woulde ,god therfore1 that all wee were now willing to haue the syncere woorde of ,god all holsom doctrine too go forward4 ,o that all we would consent togither in the ,gospell1 brotherly admonishyng1 and secretelye prouokyng one an other too true religion vertue4 ,o that no man would sow emongist the people pernitious doctryne1 but with all lowly diligce and ,godlye monition euer prouoke1 tempt1 and stere them1 tyll their heartes were remoued fr their olde dautyng dreames and superstici1 which haue been long grafted in them thorow popyshe doctrine4 ,by this meane wee shuld euer haue concorde emongist vs1 whiche in all thynges is necessary1 but most nedefull and expedient in ,gods holi woord4 ,now truely the godlyest thynge that can bee deuysed1 for any christian realme1 is to haue emongist them one maner and fourme of doctryne1 too trace trueli the steppes of ,god and neuer to seeke any other bywayes4 ,who hath not redde in ye scriptures8 but that realme is endued with godly ornamentes riches1 where all men prospere1 go for ward and florishe in gods woord1 delectyng day and night in the swete csolations of the holy testament4 ,by this way we shuld especially set forth the glory of ,god1 and of our sauiour ,iesu ,christ1 if we would reuerently shew one an other that whiche ,god hath taught vs4 ,yea in this doyng all men shulde well perceaue that we were the true disciples of ,christ1 being knitte and coupled fast together in mynde and iudgement1 preachyng ,god with one mouth and also with one assent euer promotyng his gloryous testament4 ,o the good happe and grace of that king or prynce emongist whose subiectes there is such an hole consent and iudgement in the woord of ,god1 for that most assuredly byndeth adiuigneth ye hartes of al subiectes too their kyng4 ,the strength of the ,gospell is euen suche in this puincte1 that there was neuer man1 which did humily receaue it1 that would murmour ageynst his ,prince4 ,it teacheth how wyllyngly all men shulde obey their kyng4 ,it sheweth verye lyuely and most apertly vnto euery man his ful dutie4 ,it euer prouoketh vs from all wicked1 cursed1 and most obstinate disobedience4 ,it euer instructeth men too shewe them selues most lowly1 humile1 and obesaunt toward their ,prynce4 ,whosoeuer hath tasted fully therof1 will declare hym selfe in al thynges1 too bee a faithful subiect4 ,furthermore1 it is clearer then the light 7most vertuous prince7 that it woulde make muche for the weale of this noble realme1 yf all m with heart and mynde1 would nowe as well expulse the pernitious and deuelyshe doctryne af that ,romishe bishop1 as his name is blotted bookes4 ,there is none so ignoraunt1 but he knoweth that1 thorough hym we were brought into a wderful blindnes1 thorough hym we did sauer of nothyng1 but of stynkyng ,ydolatry1 through hym we were deceiued with false ,ypocrisie4 ,now let euery blind stiffe hearted1 and obstinate creature compare his abhomination with the gospell1 and if he be not shameles1 he will abashe to smell of his papistrie1 and to walow still in ignoraunce1 vn lest he bee priuely confederate and in heart consent with the detestable felowship of al wicked papistes4 ,now would ,god all suche men would reduce ageyn their heartes vnto ye gospell of ,christ1 would god they would bee prouoked by some meane to desire knowledge4 ,o that god woulde yeoue them a couragious mynde too reade the gospel1 there they shal sone fynde all the venoume of the romishe sort most playnely detected4 ,forsoth wee see dayly1 that lacke of knowledge of the gospel maketh some busserdes runne hedlong on all rockes1 daungers1 extreme perilles3 yea1 and beside that1 olde popysh doctryne whiche lyeth folded vp locked faste in their heartes1 doeth so sore blynd th that they haue neither fauour ne affecti too printe in their myndes1 the expressed cocels1 admonitions1 and preceptes of the holy scripture1 but too slepe stil in their owne conceites1 dreames1 fonde phansies4 ,wherfore let your dignitie note well this1 that all those whiche bee not wyllyng that gods woord should bee knowen1 and that blyndenes should be clean expulsed from all men1 whiche be baptised in ye blessed bludde of ,christ1 bewray themselues playne papistes3 for in very deede that most deceatful wolfe and graund maister papist with his totiens quotiens1 and a pena et culpa blesseth all suche as will bee blynde stil1 maintaine his ppe1 drinke of his cuppe of fornication1 trust in his pardounes1 liue in popery1 ypocrisie1 and dnable ydolatrie1 shut vp the kingdome of heauen1 neuer regarde the gospel4 ,ctrarie too this1 christ bi his holy ,prophete calleth al those blessed that seke for his testimonies1 al those his elect chos childr1 which turne fr synne1 ypocrisie1 ydolatrie1 all those goddes that heare his word1 yea1 breuely1 al those which set it forward honorable m4 in this puincte your grace shoulde euer beare in mynde1 that noble and vertuous kyng ,hezekiah1 whiche shewed hymselfe very honorable in settg forward ye woord of ,god1 and therby gotte hym glory and fame immortall1 so that nowe he is most highly praysed amongtst all men4 ,ageyn his subiectes dyd obey his commaundement feynedly with ,ypocrisie1 but in their heartes they abhorred gods woord4 ,o the miserie that dyd afterwarde sodeinly ensue vpon them1 ,o the wonderfull wrath of ,god that was poured vpon them1 ,o their great and obstinate blindnes whiche caused them most greuously too be scourged3 ,their plage was no lesse then too bee vtterly spoyled of their enemies1 ,their plage was no lesse then to eate one an other3 ,yea1 their plage was no lesse then to eate their owne sonnes and doughters4 ,this calamitie and sorow 7most noble prynce7 happened them because they dyd not regarde the lawes of ,god1 but tourned too their olde abhominable ,ydolatrie1 and lightelye estemed gods holy woord4 ,wherfore euen now whosoeuer is an enemie ,b4i4 to the holy ,bible1 that is1 neither studiyng it himselfe1 nor willyng that other men shulde knowe it1 he can in no wyse be a right christian man3 although he fast1 pray1 doo almes1 all the good workes vnder heauen4 ,and he that hath suche a mynde1 is ye most cursed and cruel enemie too god1 a playne sower of sedition1 and a deuelishe disquieter of all godly men4 ,for truly those that reade the gospel of ,christ1 and labour diligtly therin3 doo fynde wonderfull rest quietnes1 from all woofull miserie1 perturbati1 and vanities of this world4 ,and surely none but ypocrites or els deuilles would go about too stoppe or allure men from suche a treasure and godly study4 ,and it were conuenient1 that all they whiche wyll remayne styll necligent1 styffe1 blind3 shuld set before their faces the feare of paynes infernall1 and if thei haue any grace at all1 their spirites ought to be moued3 too note the great plages that haue happened the slouthful in gods woord1 those that haue been stubburne ageynst the settyng out of it4 ,there bee a thousand recordes and examples in the holy ,bible agaynst such as be farre wyde from knowledge1 and lye now walteryng styl in ignoraunce and will not looke vpon the bible4 ,it woulde seme1 they hope for a thyng1 but their hope is in vaine3 ,for saint ,paule plainely writeth the hope of suche ypocrites shall coom too nought4 ,and too conclude 7most honorable ,prince7 seeyng wee haue suche knowledge opened vnto vs1 as neuer had englishe m1 and are clearly deliuered from the snares and deceiptes of al false and wicked doctrine1 if we shuld not now thkefully receaue the gospell1 and shewe our selues naturally enclyned to set it forwarde1 yea1 and pray daye and night vnto ,god1 for the preseruati and health of the kynges highnes1 your graces deare1 and most entierly beloued father1 we were neither true subiectes nor ryght christen men4 ,forsoth1 through the absolute wisedome1 and the most godly and politike prudencie of his grace1 the swete sounde of gods woorde is gone ,b4ii4 thorough out all this realme1 the holye ,bible and blessed testament of oure sauiour ,christ are coomne to lighte1 and thousandes haue faithfully receiued those pleasaunt1 ioyfull1 and most comfortable promises of ,god4 ,surely this thyng before all other1 is acceptable too god4 ,this thyng especially swageth ye ire of god4 ,this thyng in all holi scriptures god most chiefly requireth of his elect faithfull seruates1 euen too haue his lytell flocke knowe his blessed woorde1 whiche woulde bee muche better know more thankefulli receaued1 yf al agees and degrees of men with one mynd1 wyll1 voice1 would nowe drawe after one lyne1 leauyng their owne priuate affections1 and shewe theim selues euer vigilant1 prompt1 ready helpers workers with ,god1 7accordynge to the councell of sainct ,paule7 especially priestes1 scolemaisters partes1 which accordyng too ye ,prophete ,dauid are blessed1 if they gladly requite ye lawe of ,god4 ,they shuld therfore reade ye bible purdge theyr mindes of al papistry3 for theyr necligence1 in dooyng their duties slugishnes toward ye blessed woord of god1 dooeth too muche appere4 ,through them forsoth the gospel of ,christ shuld bee most strongely warded and defended1 for almost all the ,prophetes1 and a great parte of the scripture beside teache them their duties1 and shew playnely what maner of men they shulde bee3 ,yea1 and how greuously the holy ,prophetes crie out vpon false and ignoraunt priestes1 the thyng is very euident4 ,but through the helppe of ,god all those that be ignoraunt1 or els learned 7as they take them selues7 wyll leaue of1 and repent them of their wicked and obstinate blyndnes1 and bowe them selues with all oportunitie too draw mens heartes too the holy testament of ,god3 consideryng1 that in the terrible day of iudgement1 euery m shall yeoue accompte of his ,beliwicke1 where neither ignorace shall excuse vs1 ne yet any worldly ppe may defd vs4 ,most happye th shall they bee1 whiche haue walked iustely in the sight of the ,lorde1 and ,b4iii4 that haue syncerely preached his testament and lyuely woord withoute flattery or iuggelyng3 ,yea1 and in that fearful day1 all they 7as writeth ,s4 ,augustine7 shal fynde mercie at the handes of god1 whiche haue entised and allured other vnto goodnes and vertue4 ,weiyng this with my self1 7most excellent1 and vnto all kynd of vertues most prpt prestt ,prince7 ,i thought it good too translate this ,dialoge1 called the ,epicure1 for your grace3 whiche semed too me1 too bee very familiar1 one of ye godliest ,dialoges that any m hath writt in ye latin tong4 ,now therfore ,i most humili praie1 that this my rude simple trslation may bee acceptable vnto your grace1 trustyng also that your most approued gentilnes1 wil take it in good part4 ,there as ,i doo not folow ye latyn1 woord for woord1 for ,i omytte that of a certaine set purpose4 ,your humile seruaunt1 ,philyppe ,gerrard1 groume of your graces ,chambre4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the interlocutours ,,hedonivs ,,spvdevs ,what meaneth hit ,spudeus1 too applye hys booke so ernestlye ,i praye you what is the matter you murmour so with yourselfe8 ,,spvdevs4 ,the truth is 7,o ,hedoni7 ,i seke too haue knowledge of a thing1 but as yet ,i cannot fynde that whych maketh for my purpose4 ,,hedo ,what booke haue you there in your bosome8 ,,spvde4 ,ciceros dialoge of the endes of goodnes4 ,,hedo4 ,it had bene farre more better for you1 too haue sought for the begynnynges of godly thynges1 then the endes4 ,,spvde4 ,yea1 but ,marcus ,tullius nameth that the ende of godlines which is an exquisite1 a far passing1 and a very absolute goodnes in euerye puincte1 wherein there is contained all kynde of vertu3 vnto the knowledge ther of whosoeuer can attaine1 shuld desire none other thg1 but hold himselfe hauyng onely that1 as one most fully content and satisfied4 ,,hed4 ,that is a worke of very great learning and eloquence4 ,but doo you thynke1 that you haue preuailed in any thg there1 whereby you haue the rather come too the knowledge of the truth8 ,,spe4 ,i haue had such fruite and cmoditie by it1 that now verelye hereafter ,i shall doubt more of the effect and endes of good thinges1 then ,i did before4 ,,hedo4 ,it is for husbd menne too stande in doubt how farre the limittes and merebkes extend4 ,,spe4 ,and ,i cannot but muse styll1 yea1 and wonder very muche1 why ther hath been so great controuersie in iudgementes vpon so weightie a matter 7as this is7 emongist so well learned menne3 especially suche as bee most famous and auncient writers4 ,,hedo4 ,this was euen the cause1 where the verite of a thyng is playne and manifest1 ctrarily1 ye errour through ignoraunce againe in the same1 is soone great by diuers meanes encreaseth1 for that thei knewe not the foundation and first beginnyng of the whole matter1 they doo iudge at all auentures and are very fondly disceaued1 but whose sentence thynke you too bee truest8 ,,spe4 ,whan ,i heare ,,marcvs ,tullius reproue the thyng1 ,i then ftasie none of all their iudgementes1 and whan ,i heare hym agayne defende the cause3 it maketh me more doubtfull th euer ,i was and am in suche a studie1 that ,i can say nothyng4 ,but as ,i suppose ye ,stoickes haue erred the lest1 and nexte vnto th ,i commend the ,peripatetickes4 ,h,e,do4 ,yet ,i lyke none of their opinions so well as ,i doo the ,epicures4 ,,spv4 ,and emgist all the sectes3 the ,epicures iudgement is most reproued and condemned with the whole consent and arbitremt of all menne4 ,,hed4 ,let vs laye a side all disdayne and spite of names1 and admitte the ,epicure too bee suche one1 as euery man maketh of hym4 ,let vs ponder and weighe the thyng as it is in very deed4 ,he setteth the high and principall felicitie of man in pleasure1 and thiketh that lyfe most pure and godly1 whiche may haue greate delectati and pleasure1 and lytle pensiuenes4 ,,spv4 ,it is euen so4 ,,hed4 ,what more vertuouser thyng1 ,i praye you1 is possible too bee spok then this saiyng4 ,spu4 ,yea1 but all menne wonder and crye out on it1 and saye3 it is the voyce of a bruite beast1 and not of manne4 ,hedo4 ,i knowe thei doo so1 but thei erre in ye vocables of theise thinges1 and are very ignoraunt of the true and natiue significations of the woordes1 for if wee speake of perfecte thynges1 no kinde of menne bee more righter ,epicures1 then ,christen men liuing reuertly towardes ,god and m1 and in the right seruice and worshiping of ,christ4 ,,spv ,but ,i thinke the ,epicures bee more nerer and agree rather with the ,cynickes1 then with the ,christien sorte3 forsoth ye ,christiens make them selues leane with fastynge1 bewayle and lament their offences1 and eyther they bee nowe poore1 or elles theyr charitie and liberalitie on the nedye maketh theim poore1 thei suffer paciently to bee oppressed of mne that haue great power and take many wronges at their handes1 and many men also laughe theim too skorne4 ,nowe1 if pleasure brynge felicitie wyth it1 or helpe in anye wyse vnto the furderaunce of vertue3 we see playnly that this kynde of lyfe is fardest from al pleasures4 ,hedonius4 ,but doo you not admitte ,plautus too bee of authoritie8 ,speudeus4 ,yea1 yf he speake vprightely4 ,hedonius4 ,heare nowe them1 and beare awaye wyth you the saiynge of an vnthriftie seruaunt1 whyche is more wyttier then all the paradoxes of the ,stoickes4 ,,spe4 ,i tarie to heare what ye wil say4 ,,hedo4 ,ther is nothyng more miserable then a mynd vnquiet agreued with it selfe4 ,,spe4 ,i like this saiyng well1 but what doo you gather of it8 ,,hedo4 ,if nothing bee more miserable th an vnquiet mynde1 it foloweth also1 that there is nothing happiar1 then a mynde voyde of all feare1 grudge1 and vnquietnes4 ,,spev4 ,surely you gather the thing together with good reas but that notwithstandynge1 in what countrie shall you fynde any such mynde1 that knoweth not it selfe gyltie and culpable in some kynde of euell1 ,,hedo4 ,i call that euyll1 whiche dissolueth the pure loue and amitie betwixt ,god and manne4 ,,spv4 ,and ,i suppose there bee verye fewe1 but that thei bee offders in this thynge4 ,,hedo4 ,and in good soth ,i take it1 that al those that bee purdged1 are clere3 whych wiped out their fautes with lee of teares1 and saltpeter of sorowfull repentaunce1 or els with the fire of charitie1 their offces nowe bee not only smalle grefe and vnquietnes too them1 but also chaunce oft for some more godlier purpose1 as causing th too lyue afterward more accordyngly vnto ,gods commademtes4 ,,spv4 ,in deede ,i knowe saltpeter and lee1 but yet ,i neuer hearde before1 that faultes haue been purdged with fire4 ,h4 ,surely1 if you go to the minte you shall see gould fyned wyth fyre1 notwithstdyng that ther is also1 a certaine kynde of lin that brenneth not if it bee cast in ye fyre1 but loketh more whiter then any water coulde haue made it1 therefore it is called ,linum asbestinum1 a kynde of lynen1 whyche canne neither bee quenched with water nor brent with fyre4 ,spu4 ,nowe in good faith you bring a paradox more wderful then all the maruailous and profound thynges of the ,stoickes3 lyue thei pleasasauntly whom ,chryst calleth blessed for that they mourne lament8 ,hedonius4 ,thei seme too the worlde too mourne1 but verely they lyue in greate pleasure1 and as the commune saiynge is1 thei lyue all together in pleasure1 in somuche that ,,sardanapalvs1 ,philoxenus1 or ,apitius compared vnto them3 or anye other spoken of1 for the greate desyre and study of pleasures1 did leade but a sorowefull and a myserable lyfe4 ,spe4 ,these thinges that you declare bee so straunge and newe1 that ,i can scarcelye yeoue any credite vnto them4 ,hedo4 ,proue and assaye them ones1 and you shall fynde all my saiynges so true as the ,gospell1 and immediatly ,i shal bryng the thynge too suche a conclusion 7as ,i suppose7 that it shall appeare too differ very lytle from the truth ,c4i ,,spv4 make hast then vnto your purpose4 ,,hed4 ,it shalbe doone if you wyll graunt me certayne thynges or ,i begynne4 ,spu4 ,if in case you demaunde suche as bee resonable4 ,hedo4 ,i wyl take myne aduauntage1 if you confesse the thyng that maketh for mine intent4 ,spu4 go too4 ,hedo4 ,i thynke ye wyll fyrste graunt me1 that ther is great diuersitie betwxt the solle and the bodye ,spu4 ,euen as much as there is betwene heauen and yearth1 or a thyng earthly and brute1 that whiche dieth neuer1 but alwayes ctaineth in it the godly nature4 ,hedo4 ,and also1 that false deceiueable coterfetted holy thynges1 are not too bee taken for those1 which in very dede be godly4 ,spude4 ,no more then the shaddowes are too bee estemed for the bodies1 or the illusions and wonders of wytchcraftes or the fantasies of dreames1 are too bee taken as true thynges4 ,,he4 ,hitherto you answer aptly too my purpose1 and ,i thynke you wyl graunt me this thyng also1 that true and godly pleasure can reste and take place no where but only on such a mynd that is sobree and honest4 ,,spv4 ,what elles8 for no man reioyseth too beholde the ,sunne1 if his eyes bee bleared or elles delecteth in wyne1 if the agew haue infected hys tast4 ,,hed4 ,and the ,epicure hymselfe1 or elles ,i am disceiued1 would not clippe enbrace that pleasure1 whiche ,c4ii4 would bring with it farre greater payne and suche as would bee of long continuaunce4 ,,spv ,i thynke he woulde not1 if he had any wytte at all4 ,,hed4 ,nor you wyll not denye this1 that ,god is the chiefe and especiall goodnes1 then wh there is nothyng fayrer1 there is nothyng ameabler1 ther is nothing more delicious and swetter4 ,,spvde4 ,no man wyll deny thys except he bee very harde hearted and of an vngentler nature then the ,ciclopes4 ,,hed4 ,nowe you haue graunted vnto me1 that none lyue in more pleasure1 then thei whyche lyue vertuouslye1 and agayne1 none in more sorowe and calamytie then those that lyue vngratiously4 ,spu4 ,then ,i haue grated more th ,i thought ,i had4 ,he4 ,but what thing you haue ones cfessed too bee true 7as ,plato sayth7 you should not deny it afterward4 ,,spv4 ,go furth with your matter4 ,,hedo ,the litle whelpe that is set store and greate price by1 is fed most daintely1 lieth soft1 plaieth and maketh pastime continually1 doo you thinke that it lyueth plesatly8 ,,spv4 ,it dooeth truely4 ,,hedo4 ,woulde you wyshe to haue suche a lyfe8 ,,spv4 ,god forbyd that1 excepte ,i woulde rather bee a dogge then a man1 ,,hedo4 ,then you confesse that all the chief pleasures arise and spring fr the mynd1 as though it were from a welspryng4 ,,spv4 ,c4iii ,that is euident ynough4 ,,he4 ,forsoth the strength and efficacy of the minde is so great1 that often it taketh away the felyng of al externe and outward pain maketh that pleasaunt1 which by it selfe is very peynful4 ,,spv4 ,we se that dayly in louers1 hauyng great delight to sytte vp long too daunce attendaunce at their louers doores all the colde wynter nyghtes4 ,h,e,do4 ,now weigh this also1 if the naturall loue of man1 haue suche great vehemency in it1 which is a cmune thyng vnto vs1 both with bulles and dogges1 howe much more should all heauenly loue excell in vs1 which cmeth of ye spirit of ,christ1 whose strgthe is of suche power1 that it would make death a thg most terrible1 too bee but a pleasure vnto vs4 ,spu4 ,what other men thke inwardly ,i know not1 but certes thei wt many pleasures which cleaue fast vnto true and perfect vertue4 ,he4 ,what pleasures8 ,spu4 ,thei waxe not rich1 thei optein no promoti1 thei bket not1 thei dace not1 thei sing not1 thei smell not of swete oyntmtes1 thei laugh not1 thei play not4 ,he4 ,we should haue made no mention in thys place of ryches and prefermente1 for they bryng wyth them no pleasaunt lyfe1 but rather a sadde and a psiue4 ,let vs intreate of other thynges1 suche as they chiefely seeke for1 whose desyre is to liue deliciously1 see ye not daily ,c4iiii drkerdes1 fooles1 and mad menne grinne and leape8 ,,spv4 ,i see it ,,hed4 ,do you thynke that thei liue most pleasatly8 ,,spv ,god send myne enemies such myrth pleasure4 ,,he4 ,why so8 ,sp4 ,for ther lacketh emongist th sobrietie of mind4 ,,he4 ,then you had leuer sit fastyng at your booke1 then too make pastime after any suche sorte4 ,,sp4 ,of th both3 truly ,i had rather chose to delue4 ,h4 ,for this is plaine that betwixt the mad m the drkerd ther is no diuersitie1 but that slepe wil helpe the one his madnes1 with much a doo ye cure of ,physicions helpeth the other1 but the foole natural differeth nothing fr a brute beast except by shape and portrature of body1 yet thei be lesse miserable whom nature hathe made verye brutes1 then those that walowe theim selues in foule and beastly lustes4 ,,sp4 ,i confesse that4 ,hedo4 ,but now tell me1 whether you thynke th sobre and wyse1 which for playn vanities and shadowes of plesure1 booth dispice the true and godlye pleasures of the mynde and chose for them selues suche thynges as bee but vexacion sorowe4 ,,spv4 ,i take it1 thei bee not4 ,hedo4 ,in deede thei bee not drke with wyne1 but with loue with anger1 with auarice1 with ambicion1 and other foule and filthie desires1 whiche kynde of drunkenes is farre worse1 th that is gotten with drinking of wine4 ,yet ,sirus that leude cspani of whom mention is made in ye commedie1 spake witty thynges after he had slepte hym self soobre1 and called too memorie his greate and moost beastlye drunkenes3 but the minde that is infected with vicious noughty desire1 hath muche a doo too call it selfe whom agein8 ,how many yeares doeth loue1 anger1 spite1 sensualitie1 excesse1 and ambition1 trouble and prouoke the mynde8 ,how many doo wee see1 whiche euen from their youth1 too their latter dais neuer awake nor rept them of the drunkennes1 of ambiti1 nigardnes1 wanton lust1 riatte8 ,spu4 ,i haue knowen ouermany of that sorte4 ,hedo4 ,you haue grated that false and fayned good thinges1 are not too bee estemed for the pure and godly4 ,sp4 ,and ,i affirme that still4 ,hedo4 ,nor that there is no true and perfect pleasure1 except it bee taken of honest and godly thynges4 ,spud4 ,i confesse that4 ,he4 ,then 7,i pray you7 bee not those good that the commune sorte seeke for1 they care not howe8 ,spu4 ,i thinke they be not4 ,hedo4 ,surely if thei were good1 they would not chaunce but onely too good men3 and would make all those vertuous that they happen vntoo4 ,what maner of pleasure make you that1 doo you thinke it too bee godly1 which is not of true honest thynges1 but of deceatfull3 and coometh out of ye shadowes of good thynges8 ,sp4 ,nay in noo wyse4 ,he4 ,for pleasure maketh vs to liue merely4 ,spu4 ,yea1 nothyng so muche4 ,he4 ,therfore no man truely liueth pleasauntly1 but he that lyueth godly3 that is1 whiche vseth and delecteth onli in good thynges3 for vertue of it selfe1 maketh a man to habound in all thynges that bee good1 perfete1 prayse worthy3 yea1 it onely prouoketh ,god the fountaine of all goodnes1 too loue and fauour man4 ,,sp4 ,i almost consent with you4 ,,hed4 ,but now marke howe far they bee from all pleasure1 whiche seeme openly emongist all men too folowe nothyng1 but the inordinate delectation in in thynges carnall4 ,first their mynde is vile1 and corrupted with the sauour and taste of noughtie desires1 in so muche that if any pleasaunt thing chaunce them1 forthwith it waxeth bitter1 and is nought set by1 in like maner as where ye welle hed is corrupted and stynketh1 there ye water must nedes be vnsauery4 ,agein ther is no honest pleasure1 but that whiche wee receaue with a sobre and a quiet mynde4 ,for wee see1 nothyng reioyseth the angry man more1 th too bee reuenged on his offenders1 but that pleasure is turned into pain after his rage bee past1 and anger subdued4 ,spu4 ,i say not the contrary4 ,he4 ,finally1 suche leude pleasures bee taken of fallible thinges1 therefore it foloweth that they be but delusis and shadowes4 ,what woulde you say furthermore1 if you saw a m so deceaued with sorcerie also other detestable witchecraftes1 eat1 drynke1 leap1 laugh1 yea1 and clappe handes for ioye1 when ther wer no such thyng there in very dede1 as he beleueth he seeth4 ,spu4 ,i wolde say he were both mad and miserable4 ,hedo4 ,i my self haue been often in place1 where the lyke thyng hath been doone4 ,there was a priest whiche knewe perfectly by longe experience and practise1 the arte to make thynges seme that they were not1 otherwise called1 deceptio visus4 ,sp4 ,he did not lerne that arte of the holy scripture8 ,hedo4 ,yea1 rather of most popeholy charmes and witchecraftes3 that is too saye1 of thinges1 cursed1 dampnable1 and wourthy too bee abhorred4 ,certayne ladies gentlewomen of the courte1 spake vnto hym oftentimes3 saiyng1 they woulde coom one day too his house and see what good chere he kept3 reprouyng1 greatly vile and homly fare1 and moderate expenses in all thynges4 ,he graunted they shulde bee welcome1 and very instauntly desired them4 ,and they came fastyng because they would haue better appetites4 ,wh they wer set to dyner 7as it was thought7 ther wted noo kynde of delitious meat3 they filled th selues habodantly3 after ye feast was doone1 they gaue moost hearty thanckes1 for their galaunte cheare1 and departed1 euery one of them vnto their owne lodgynges3 but anone their stomackes beganne too waxe an hungred1 they maruayled what this shuld meane1 so soone to be an hungred and a thirste1 after so sumptuous a feast3 at the last the matter was openly knowen and laught at4 ,spu4 ,not without a cause1 it had been muche better for th too haue satisfied their stomackes at their owne chbers with a messe of potage1 th too be fed so delitiousli with vain illusis4 ,h4 ,and as ,i thk ye cmune sort of men ar muche more too bee laught at1 whiche in steede of ,godlye thynges1 chose vaine and transitory shadowes1 and reioyce excedyngly in suche folishe phansies that turne not afterwarde in too a laughter1 but into euerlasting lamentation and sorow4 ,spudeus ,the more nerelier ,i note your saiynges1 the better ,i like th4 ,hedo4 ,go too1 let vs graunt for a tyme these thynges too bee called pleasaunt1 that in very dede ar not4 ,would yow saye that meeth were swete3 whiche had more ,aloes myngled with it1 then honye8 ,spud4 ,i woulde not so say and if there were but the third part of an ounce of ,aloes mixt with it4 ,hedo4 ,or els1 would you wishe to bee scabbed because you haue some pleasure too scratch8 ,spud4 ,noo1 if ,i wer ,d4i in my right mynd4 ,,hed4 ,then weigh with your self how great peyne is intermyngled wyth these false and wrongly named pleasures1 that vnshamefast loue filthie desire1 much eatyng and drinking bring vs vnto3 ,i doo omitte now that1 which is principall grudge of cscience1 enemitie betwixt ,god and m1 and expectation of euerlastyng punishment4 ,what kynd of pleasure1 ,i pray you is ther in these thinges1 that dooeth not bryng with it a greate heape of outeward euilles8 ,,spv4 ,what bee thei8 ,,hedo4 ,we ought to let passe and forbeare in this place auarice1 ambition1 wrath1 pryde enuy1 whiche of their selues bee heuy and sorowful euylles and let vs conferre and compare all those thynges together1 that haue the name of some chief and special pleasure3 wher as the agew the hedache1 the swelling of the belly1 dulnes of witte1 infamy1 hurt of memory1 vomyting1 decaye of stomacke1 tremblyng of the body succede of ouer muche drynking3 thynke you1 that the ,epicure would haue estemed any suche lyke pleasure as thys1 cuenient and wourthy desire8 ,,spv4 ,he woulde saye it wer vtterly too bee refused4 ,h,e,d,o,ni4 ,wheras young men also with hauntynge of whores 7as it is dayly seene7 catche the newe leprosie1 nowe otherwyse named ,jobs agew1 and some cal it the scabbes of ,naples1 throughe ,d4ii which desease they feele often ye most extreme and cruell paines of deathe euen in this lyfe1 and cary about a bodye resemblyng very much some dead coarse or carryn1 do you thynke that thei apply them selues vnto godlye pleasure4 ,,spvd4 ,noo1 for after thei haue been often familiar with their prety ones1 then they must goo streighte too the barbours1 that chaunceth continuallye vnto all whoremongers4 ,,hed4 ,now fayne that ther wer a lyke measure of pain and plesure1 would ye then require too haue the toothache so longe as the pleasure of quaffing whordome endured8 ,,spv4 ,verely ,i had rather wt them booth1 for ther is no commoditie nor vantage to bye pleasure with payn but only to chag one thing for another1 but the best choise is nowe not too affectionate anye such leudnes1 for ,,mar4 ,tullius calleth that an inward greife sorow4 ,he4 ,but now ye prouocation entisemt of vnleful plesure1 besides that it is much lesse then the pain which it bringeth with it1 it is also a thing of a very short time3 but if the leprosye bee ones caught1 it tourmteth m al their life daies very pitifully oftentimes cstraineth them to wyshe for death before thei c dye4 ,,sp4 ,such disciples as those then1 the ,epicure would not knowe4 ,,hed4 ,for the most part pouertie1 a very miserable and painfull burden1 foloweth ,d4iii4 lechery1 of immoderate lust cmeth the palsie1 tremblyng of ye senewes1 bleardnes of eyes1 and blyndnes1 the leprosie and not these only1 is it not a proper pece of worke 7,i pray you7 to chag this short pleasure neyther honest nor yet godly1 for so manye euylles far more greuouse and of muche longer continuance4 ,,sp4 ,although there shoulde no pain com of it1 ,i esteme hym to bee a very fond occupier1 which would chage precious stones for glasse4 ,,he4 ,you meane that would lose the godly pleasures of the mynde1 for the coloured pleasures of ye body4 ,,sp4 ,that is my meanyng4 ,,he4 ,but nowe let vs come to a more perfecter supputation1 neither the agewe nor yet pouerty foloweth alwaies carnal pleasure1 nor the new leprosy or els the palsy wait not on at al times the great excessiue vse of lecherye1 but grudge of csice euermore is a folower sure compani of al vnleaful pleasure1 then the which as it is plainly agreed betwixt vs1 nothyng is more miserable4 ,,spv4 ,yea1 rather it grudgeth their cscience sometyme before hande1 in the self pleasure it pricketh their mynde1 yet ther bee some that you woulde say1 want this motion and feelyng4 ,,he4 ,thei bee nowe therfore in worse estate cditi4 ,who would not rather feele payne1 then too haue hys body lacke any perfecte sence1 truly from some ether intemperatnes ,d4iiii4 of euel desires1 euen like as it were a certayne kynde of drunkenes1 or els wont and cmune haunt of vice which ar so hardened in them1 that they take a way ye felyng csideration of euyl in their youth1 so that wh agee commeth vp them beside other infinitie hurtes and perturbations agaynst whose commyng thei should haue layd vp the deedes of their former lyfe1 as a special iuwel and treasure3 then thei stande greatly in fear of death1 a thyng emongist all other most ineuitable1 that no man canne shonne3 yea1 and the more they haue heretofore been dysmayed and lacked their sences1 the greater now is their vnquietnes and grudge of conscience1 then truely the mynde is sodenly awaked whether it wol or noo1 and verely wher as olde agee is alwayes sad and heuy of it selfe for as muche as it is in subiection and bondage vnto many incommodities of nature1 but then it is farre more wretchede and also fylthye1 if the mynde vnquiet with it selfe shal trouble it also3 feastes1 ryotous banketyng1 syngyng1 and daunsynge1 with manye suche other wanton toyes pastimes which he was communely yeou vnto thought very plesat when he was young1 bee nowe paynfull vnto hym beyng olde and crooked1 ne agee hath nothyng too comforte and fortifi it selfe withall1 but onely too remembre that it hath passed ouer the course of yeares in vertue and godly liuyng and conceaue a special trust too obtaine herafter a better kynde of life4 ,these be the two staues wherevpon age is stayed1 if in their steed you wyll lay on hym these two burdens3 that is1 memorie how synfully he hath ledde his life1 and desperation of the felicitie that is too coome1 ,i praye you what liuyng thyng can bee feyned too suffre sorer punishement and greater miserie8 spu4 ,verely ,i can see nothyng although some man woulde saye an olde horse4 hedo4 ,then to cclude it is too late to waxe wise ,and that saiyng appereth now too bee very true4 ,carefull mornynges doo oftentymes folowe mery euentides1 and all vayne and outragious mirth euer turneth into sorowfull sighes3 yea1 they shulde haue considered both that there is noo pleasure aboue ye ioyfulnes of the heart1 and that chearefull mynde maketh agee too florishe1 an heauy spirit consumeth the boones1 also that all the dayes of the poore are euell3 that is1 sorowfull and wretched4 ,and agayne a quiet mynde is lyke a contynuall feaste4 ,,spvdevs4 ,therfore they bee wyse1 that thryue in tyme1 and gather too gether necessaries for that agee coom4 ,,hedoni4 ,the holy scripture intreateth not soo wordely as too measure the felicitie and highe consolation of manne1 by the goodes of fortune1 onely he is very poore1 that is destitute and voyde of al grace vertue1 and standeth in boundage and debette1 bothe of bodye solle vnto that tyranne oure moost foo mortall enemie the deuill4 ,,spv4 ,surely he is one that is veri rigorous and impatient in demaundynge of his dutie4 ,,he4 ,moreouer that man is ryche1 whiche fyndeth mercye and foryeouenes at the handes of god4 ,what shuld he feare1 that hath suche a protectour8 ,whether men8 where as playnely theyr hole power may lesse do agast ,god1 then the bytyng of a gnat1 hurteth the ,elephant4 ,whether death8 truly that is a right passage for good men vnto all sufficient ioy and perfection accordyng too the iust reward of true religion and vertue4 ,whether hell8 ,for as in that the holy prophete speaketh boldely vnto ,god4 ,although ,i shulde walke in the middest of the shadow of death1 ,i wil not feare any euils because ye art with me4 ,wherfore shulde he stande in feare of deuils1 whiche beareth in his heart hym1 that maketh the deuils too tremble and quake4 ,for in diuers places the holye scripture praiseth and declareth oply the mynde of a vertuous man1 too bee the right temple of ,god4 ,and this to bee so true that that it is not too bee spoken agaynst1 ne in any wise shuld bee denied4 ,,spv4 ,forsoth ,i can not see1 by what reason these saiynges of yours can be confuted al thoughe they seme too varye muche from the vulgar and cmune opinion of men4 ,,hedo4 ,why doo they soo8 ,,spv4 ,after your reasonyng euery honest poore man1 shulde liue a more pleasaunt life1 then any other1 how much soeuer he did habod in riches1 honour1 and dignitie3 and breuely though he had all kynde of pleasures4 ,,he4 ,adde this too it 7if it please you7 too bee a kyng1 yea1 or an emperour if you take away a quiet mynd with it selfe1 ,i dare boldely say1 that the poore man sklenderlye and homely appareled1 made weake with fastyng1 watchyng1 great toile and labour1 and that hath scarcely a groat in all the worlde1 so that his mynde bee godly1 he lyueth more deliciously then that man whiche hathe fyue hdreth times greater pleasures delicates1 then euer had ,sardanapalus4 ,,sp4 ,why is it th1 that we see communely those that bee poore looke farre more heuely then riche men4 ,,hed4 ,because some of them bee twise poore1 eyther some desease1 nedines1 watchyng1 labour1 nakednesse1 doo soo weaken the state of their bodyes1 that by reason therof1 the chearefulnes of their myndes neuer sheweth it selfe1 neyther in these thinges1 nor yet in their deathe4 ,the mynde1 forsooth thoughe it bee inclosed within this mortal bodye1 yet for that it is of a stronger nature1 it swhat trsfourmeth and fascioneth the bodie after it selfe1 especially if the vehement instigation of the spirit approche the violent inclination of nature3 this is the cause we see oftentymes suche men as bee vertuous die more cherefully1 then those that make pastyme contynually1 bee yeou vnto all kynd of pleasures4 ,,sp4 ,in very dede1 ,i haue meruayled oftten at that thyng4 ,,hed ,forsoothe it is not a thyng too bee marueyled at1 though that there shulde bee vnspeakeable ioy and comforte where ,god is present1 whiche is the heed of all mirth and gladnes1 nowe this is no straunge thyng1 althoughe the mynde of a godly man doo reioyce contynually in this mortall bodye3 where as if the same mynde or spirit discended into the lowest place of hell shuld lose no parte of felicitie1 for whersoeuer is a pure mynd1 there is god1 wher ,god is3 there is paradise1 ther is heauen1 ther is felicitie1 wher felicitie is3 ther is the true ioy and synsere gladnes4 ,,sp4 ,but yet they shuld liue more pleasauntly1 if certein incommodities were taken from them1 and had suche pastymes as eyther they dispise orels can not get nor attaine vnto4 ,,he4 ,e4i4 7,i praye you7 doo you meane1 suche incommodities as by the commune course of nature folow the cdition or state of m3 as hunger1 thirst1 desease1 werynes1 age1 death1 lyghtnyng yearthquake1 fluddes battail8 ,,spv4 ,i meane other1 and these also4 ,,hedo4 ,then we intreate styll of mortal thynges and not of immortal1 yet in these euils the state of vertuous men1 may bee better borne withal1 then of suche as seeke for the pleasures of the body they care not howe4 ,,spv4 ,why so3 ,,hedo4 ,especyally because their myndes bee accustomed and hardened with most sure and moderate gouernaunce of reason against al outragious affections of the mind and they take more patiently those thynges that cannot bee shonned then the other sort doo ,furthermore1 for as muche as thei perceiue1 all such thynges ar sent of god1 either for the punishment of their faultes1 or els too excitate and sturre them vp vnto vertue1 then thei as meeke and obediente chyldren receiue them from the hd of their mercifull father1 not only desireously1 but also chearefully and geue thankes also1 namely for so merciful punyshment and inestimable gaines4 ,,spv4 ,but many doo occati griefes vnto th selues4 ,,hedo4 ,but mo seeke remedye at the ,phisicions1 either to preserue their bodies in helth or elles if they bee sycke1 too ,e4ii4 recouer health1 but willyngly too cause their owne sorowes1 that is1 pouertie1 sickenes1 persecution1 slaunder1 excepte the loue of ,god compel vs therto1 it is no vertue but folishnes3 but as often as thei bee punyshed for ,christ and iustice sake1 who dar bee so bold as too cal them beggers wretches8 wh the ,lord himself very famyliarly calleth them blessed1 and commadeth vs to reioyse for their state and condition4 ,,spv4 ,neuerthelesse1 these thynges haue a certayne payne and griefe4 ,,hedo4 ,thei haue1 but on the onesyde1 what for fear of hel1 and the other for hoope of euerlastynge ioye1 the payne is sone past and forgott ,now tell me if you knewe that you myghte neuer bee sycke1 or elles that you shoulde feele no payne of your body in your life tyme1 if you woulde but ones suffer your vtter skinne too bee prycked with a pynnes puinct1 would you not gladly and with all your very heart suffer then so lytle a payne as that is8 ,,spv ,verye gladlye1 yea1 rather if ,i knewe perfectlye that my teeth would neuer ake1 ,i would willynglye suffer too bee prycked depe with a nedle1 and too haue both mine eares bored through with a bodkin4 ,,hedo4 ,surely what payne soeuer happeneth in this lyfe1 it is lesse and shorter1 compared with the eternall paines1 then is the soden pricke of a needle1 incomparis of the ,e4iii4 lyfe of man though it bee neuer so long1 for there is no conuenience or proportion of the thyng that hath ende1 and that whych is infinite4 ,,spv4 ,you speake very truly4 ,,hedo4 ,now if a man coulde fully perswade you1 that you should neuer feele payne in al your life1 if you did but ones deuide the flame of ye fyre1 with your hande1 whyche thyng vndoughtely ,pithagoras forbade1 woulde you not gladlye doo it8 ,,spv4 ,yea1 on that condicion ,i had liefer doo it an hundred times1 if ,i knew precisely the promiser would kepe touch4 ,,he4 ,it is playne ,god cannot deceaue4 ,but now that feelyng of paine in the fyre is longer vnto the whole lyfe of man1 then is the lyfe of m1 in respect of the heauenlye ioye1 althoughe it were thrise so long as ye yeares of ,nestor1 for that casting of the hand in the fyre thoughe it bee neuer so shorte1 yet it is some parte of hys lyfe1 but the whole lyfe of man is noo portion of tyme in respect of the eternal lyfe4 ,,spv4 ,i haue nothyng too saye against you4 ,,hedo4 ,doo you then thyncke that anye affliction or tourment can disquiet those that prepare them selues wyth a chearful hearte and a stedfast hoope vnto the kyngedome of ,god1 wher as the course of this lyfe is nowe so shorte8 ,,spvde4 ,i thinke not1 if thei haue a sure perswasion and a constant hope too attayne it4 ,,hedo4 ,i coome ,e4iiii4 now vnto those pleasures1 whiche you obiected agaynst me1 they do wythdrawe them selues from daunsynge1 bankettynge1 from pleasaunte seeghtes1 they dispyce all these thynges1 as thus3 for to haue the vse of thinges farre more ioyfulle1 and haue as great pleasure as these bee1 but after another sorte3 the eye hath not seene1 the eare hath not heard1 nor the heart of man cannot thyncke what consolations ,,god hathe ordeined for them that loue hym4 ,sayncte ,paule knewe what maner of thynges shoulde bee the songes1 queeres1 daunsynges1 and bankettes of vertuous myndes1 yea1 in this lyfe4 ,,spvdevs but there bee some leafull pleasures1 whyche they vtterlye refuse4 ,,hedonivs4 ,that maye bee1 for the immoderate vse of leafull and godly games or pastymes1 is vnleaful3 and if you wyll excepte this one thing onlye1 in al other thei excelle whiche seeme too leade a paynfull lyfe1 and whome we take too bee ouerwhelmed with all kynd of miseries4 ,now ,i prai you what more roialler sight can ther be1 then ye ctplati of this world8 and such men as ye be in fauour of god keping his holy cmademtes loue his most blessed testamt1 receiue far geater pleasure in the syght therof1 then thother sorte doo1 for while thei behold wyth ouercurious eyes1 ye wderful worke1 their mynde is troubled because they can not compasse for what purpose he doeth such thinges1 then thei improue the moost righte and wise gouernour of all and murmour at his doinges as though they were goddes of reprehension3 and often finde faute with that lady nature1 and saye that she is vnnaturall1 whiche taunt forsooth with as muche spite as can bee shewed with woordes1 greueth nature3 but truely it reboundeth on hym1 that made nature1 if there bee any at all4 ,but the vertuous man with godly simple eyes beholdeth with an excedyng reioyce of heart the workes of his ,lorde and father highly praysyng th all1 and neither reprehdeth nor findeth faut with any of th1 but for euery thyng yeoueth moste hearty thankes1 when he considereth that al were made for the loue of man4 ,and so in al thynges1 he praieth vnto the infinite power1 deuine wisedome1 goodnes of the maker1 wherof he perceiueth moste euident tokens in thynges that bee here created4 ,now fain that there were suche a palace in verie deede as ,apuleus faineth1 or els one that were more royall and gorgeouse1 and that you shoulde take twoo thither with you too beholde it1 the one a straunger1 whiche gooeth for this intent onely too see the thyng1 and the other the seruat or soonne of hym that firste causeth this buyldyng1 whether will haue more delectie in it8 the straunger1 too whom suche maner of house dooeth nothyng appartain1 or the soonne whiche beholdeth with greate ioye and pleasure1 the witte1 riches1 and magnificence of his deerely beloued father1 especially when he dooeth consider all this worke was made for his sake4 ,sp4 ,your question is too plain3 for they most cmunely that bee of euill condicions1 knowe that heauen and all thinges contained therin1 were made for mannes sake4 ,,hedo4 ,almoste al knowe that1 but some dooe not remembre it1 shewyng thselues vnthkeful for the great and exhubert benefittes of god1 al though thei remember it1 yet that m taketh greater delight in the sight of it whiche hath more loue vnto the maker therof1 in like maner as1 he more chearfully wyll behold the element whiche aspireth towarde the eternall life4 ,,spv4 ,your saiynges are muche like too bee true4 ,,hed4 ,nowe the pleasures of feastes dooeth not consist in the delicates of the mouth1 nor in the good sauces of cookes1 but in health of body and appetite of stomacke4 ,you may not thynke that any delicious person suppeth more pleasauntly hauyng before hym partriches1 turtelles1 leuerettes1 bekers1 sturgeon1 and lamprayes3 then a vertuous man hauyng nothg too eat1 but onely bread potage1 or wortes3 and nothyng too drynke1 but water1 single bere1 or wyne well alayde1 be cause he taketh these thinges as prepared of ,god vnto all lyuyng creatures1 and that they bee now yeou vnto him of his gentyll and mercifull father1 praier maketh euery thyng too sauour well4 ,the petition in ye begynnyng of dyner sanctifieth all thynges and in a while after there is recited some holy lesson of the woorde of ,god3 whiche more refresheth the minde1 then meate the body1 and grace after all this4 ,finally he riseth from the table1 not ful3 but recreated1 not laden1 but refreshed3 yea1 refreshed both in spirit and bodie1 thynke you that any chief deuiser of these muche vsed bkets1 deintye delicaces fareth nowe more deliciously8 ,s,pudeus4 ,but in ,venus there is greate delectacions if we beleue ,arestotell4 ,hed4 ,and in this behalfe the vertuous manne far excelleth as well as in good fare1 wiegh you now the matter as it is1 the better a manne loueth his wife1 the more he delecteth in the good felowship and familiaritie that is betwene theim after the course of nature4 ,furthermore1 no menne lou their wiues more vehemtly then thei that loue theim eu soo1 as ,christ loued the churche4 ,for thei that loue th for the desire of bodely pleasure1 loue th not4 ,more ouer1 the seldomer any man dooeth accompany with his wife1 the greater pleasure1 it is to hym afterwarde1 and that thyng the wt poete knew full well whiche writeth1 rare and seldome vse stereth vp pleasures4 ,albeit1 the lest parte of pleasure is in the familiare company betwene theim4 ,there is forsothe far greater in the continuall leadyng of their liues too gether1 whiche emongest none can be so plesaunt as those that loue syncerely and faithfully together in godly and christian loue1 and loue a like one the other4 ,in the other sort1 oft whthe pleasure of ye body decaieth waxeth old loue waxeth coold is sone forgott1 but emgest right christ m1 the more ye the lust of ye flesh decreaseth vanisheth away1 ye more th al godly loue encreseth ,are you not yet perswaded that none lyue more pleasauntly th they whiche liue continually in vertue and true religi of god8 ,,sp4 ,would god all men were as well perswaded in that thyng4 ,he4 ,and if they bee ,epicures that lyue pleasauntli3 none bee righter ,epicures then they that liue vertuously1 and if we wyll that euery thyng haue it right name none deserueth more ye cogname of an ,epicure1 then that ,prince of all godly wisedome too wh most reuertly we ought alwaies too praye3 for in the greeke tonge an ,epicure signifieth an helper4 ,nowe whan the lawe of nature was first corrupted with sinne1 wh the law of ,moses did rather prouoke euil desires ,f4i4 then remedy them4 ,wh the tyraunte ,sathanas reygned in this worlde freely and wythout punishement1 then thys prynce onely1 dyd sodenlye helpe mankynde redy to perishe3 wherfore thei erre shamefully which scoff and bable that ,,christ was one that was sadd and of a malancolye nature1 that he hath prouoked vs vnto an vnpleasaunt kynde of lyfe1 for onely he did shewe a kind of liuing most godly and fullest of al true pleasure1 if we might haue the stone of ,tantalus taken awaye from vs4 ,,spvd4 ,what darke saiyng is this8 ,,edo4 ,it is a mery tale too laugh at1 but this bourd induceth verye graue and sadde thynges4 ,,spv4 ,i tary too heare this mery conceite1 that you name too bee so sage a matter4 ,,he ,thei whiche gaue their studye and diligence to colour and set furth the preceptes of ,philosophie wyth subtil fables1 declare that there was one ,tantalus broughte vnto the table of the goddes1 whych was euer furnished wyth all good fare1 and most nete and sumptuous that myght bee1 whan thys straunger shoulde take hys leave1 ,iupyter thought it was for his great liberalitie and highe renoume1 that his guest shuld not depart wythout some rewarde1 he wylled him therfore too aske what he woulde1 and he shoulde haue it3 ,tantalus 7forsooth7 lyke a verye leude and foolyshe person1 ,f4ii4 for that he sette all the felicitie and pleasure of man in the delectation of the bely1 and glotonye1 desired but only too sytte at suche a table all the dayes of hys life1 ,iupiter graunted him his desire1 and shortly his vow was there stablished and ratifyed4 ,tantalus nowe sytteth at the table furnyshed wyth all kindes of delicates1 such drinke as the goddes druncke of was set on the table1 and there wanted no rooses nor odours that could yeoue any swete smel before the ,goddes1 ,ganymedes the buttler or one lyke vnto hym1 standeth euer redye1 the ,muses stande rounde aboute syngyng pleasauntly1 mery ,silenus daunseth1 ne ther wanted noo fooles too laugh at1 and breuely1 there was euerye thynge that coulde delyght any sence of m but emongist all these1 ,tantalus sytteth all sadde1 syghyng1 and vnquiet with hym selfe1 neither laughing nor yet touching such thynges as were set before hym ,,spvde4 ,what was the cause8 ,,hed4 ,over his head as he sate there hged by an heere a great stone euer lyke too fall4 ,,spv4 ,i woulde then haue conueied my selfe from suche a table4 ,,hedo ,but his vowe had bound hym too the contrarye1 for ,iupyter is not so easye too intreate as oure ,,god1 which dooeth vnloose the pernitious vowes of menne1 that bee made contrary vnto his holy woord1 if thei bee ,f4iii4 penitent and sorye therfore1 or elles it myght bee thus1 the same stoone that woulde not suffer hym too eate1 would neither suffer hym to ryse1 for if he had but ones moued he shuld haue been quashed al in peeses with the fall thereof4 ,,spvde4 ,you haue shewed a very mery fable ,,hedon4 ,but nowe heare that thing1 which you wil not laugh at3 the commune people seeke too haue a pleasaunt life in outwarde thynges1 where as noothyng can yeoue that1 but onely a constant and a quiet mind3 for surely a far heuier stone hangeth ouer these that grudge with them selues1 then hanged ouer ,tantalus3 it only hangeth not ouer them1 but greueth and oppresseth the mynde1 ne the mind is not troubled wyth any vayn hoope1 but looketh euery houre to bee caste in too the paynes of hell1 ,i praye you what can bee so pleasaunt emongist all thinges that bee yeouen vnto man1 that coulde reioyse the mynde1 whyche were oppressed wyth suche a stoone8 ,,spvde4 ,truely there is nothyng but madnes1 or elles incredulitie4 ,,hedo4 ,yf younge menne woulde weygh these thynges1 that bee quyckly prouoked and entised with pleasure as it were wyth the cuppe of ,circes1 whiche in steade of theyr greatest pleasures receiue poysone myxte with honye4 ,howe circumspecte would they bee too doo anye thynge ,f4iiii vnaduisedly that shoulde grudge their mindes afterward8 ,what thinge is it that thei would not doo too haue suche a godly treasure in store against their latter daies8 that is a minde knowyng it selfe cleane honest and a name that hath not been defiled at any time4 ,but what thyng now is more miserable then is agee8 ,whan it beholdeth1 and loketh backward on thinges that be past seeth plainly with great grudg of conscience howe fayre thynges he hathe despiced and sette lyght by1 7that is1 howe farre he hath discented and gone astray from the promyses made vnto ,god in baptime7 agayn1 how foule noughty thges he hath clipped and enbraced1 and wh hee looketh forwarde1 hee seeth then the daye of iudgemente drawe neere1 and shortely after the eternall punyshemente of of hell4 ,,spvde4 ,i esteme theim most happie whych haue neuer defyled theyr youthe1 but euer haue increased in vertu1 til thei haue coomne vnto the last puincte of age4 ,,hedo4 ,next them thei ar too bee commended that haue wythdrawne theim selues from the folie of youth in tyme4 ,,spvde4 ,but what councel wil you yeoue agee that is in suche great myserie4 ,,hedo4 ,no man shoulde dispayre so long as life endureth1 ,i wyl exhorte him to flee for helpe vnto the infinitie mercye gentilnes of ,god4 ,,sp4 ,but the longer that he hath liued the heape of his synnes hath euer waxen greate and greater1 so that nowe it passeth the nomber of the sandes in the sea1 ,,he ,but the mercies of our lord far excede those sdes1 for although the sande can not bee numbred of manne1 yet hit hath an ende1 but the mercie of ,god neither knoweth ende1 ne measure4 ,,sp4 ,yea but he hath no space that shall dye by and by1 ,,hedoni4 ,the lesse tyme he hath the more ferutly he should cal vnto god for grace1 that thyng is long inough before ,god1 whiche is of suche power as too ascende from the yearth vnto heau1 for a short prayer forsoth streght entreth heau1 if it bee made with a vehemt spirit4 ,it is written1 that ye wom synner spoken of in the gospell did penaunce al her life dayes3 but with how fewe wordes again did the thief obtain ,paradise in the houre of death8 ,if he will crye with hearte and mynde1 ,god haue mercie on me after thy great mercie3 ,god wil take awaye from hym ,tantalus stone and yeoue in his hea- ryng ioye and cfort and his bones hu- miled throughe ctrition1 wil reioyse that he hath his synnes foryeouen hym4 99,,finis499 99 99 99 99 99 ,imprinted at ,london within the precinct of the late dissolued house of the gray ,friers1 by ,richarde ,grafton1 ,printer too the ,princes grace4 the4 ,,xxix4 daie of ,iuly1 the yere of our ,lorde4 ,m4,d4,,xlv4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,typographic ,errors3 arabic numeral unnumbered page v verso 7back of page7 ,a4#e v most blessed ,testament was bessed ,b4#e v - ,b4#f then this saiyng4 end of ,b4#ev reads sai-_/yng including catchword ,c4#g v in too a laughter was in too a_/a laughter at line break ,d4#g v where god is present was where god is_/is present at line break ,e4iii it is no vertue but folishnes3 but as often as thei bee punyshed was it is no-_/vertue at line break and but as of-_/often at line break ,e4#h v - ,f4i rather prouoke euil desires then remedy them end of ,e4#hv reads th_/reme including catchword ,f4i v to colour and set furth the preceptes was set-_/furth at line break ,f4ii v breuely1 there was was breuely1 there_/there was at line break ,irregularities in text 7not changed73 ,d4#e the two staues wherevpon age is stayed text reads 444where-_/vpon at line break ,d4#f oure moost foo mortal enemie unchanged3 8fool 7foul7 ,mismatched catchwords 7text uses second form73 ,c4iiii - ,c4iiii v bee be ,c4#g v - ,c4#h done doone ,d4iiii v - ,d4#e hym it ,d4#h - ,d4#h v ioye ioy ,d4#h v - ,e4i ,i 7,i444 ,e4ii v - ,e4iii life lyfe ,e4iii v - ,e4iiii nowe now ,e4iiii - ,e4iiii v plea-sure sures ,e4#e - ,e4#e v fyndeth findeth ,e4#g - ,e4#g v deyntie deintye ,f4iiii - ,f4iiii v he hee ,f4#e - ,v4#e v the ye