Ofthevanitieof pepularitie. 305 obferued in ammon all ambitious traitors,who afpiring vnto foueraigntie, doe in the firfl place lay this as the foundation oftheir proud rebellion, to become gracious with the com- mon people. Finally,as it is the caule ofmuch finnc,fo com- monly it expofeth thole who doe imbrace it, veto danger andpunifhrenr; for the loue and fauourof the vulgar peo- plebeing exceeding mutable and inconlianr,euen like the p jraneßur ma!_ weatherand calnenesofthe fea, doth drawmen on to the tir populi deus purfuing ofdefperate attempts: and when the lean peril! quefanor,gnicü appeareth,forfakethand lcaueth them in the middefl ofann- fia" 4115fe- cundo rails im- ger. Inwhich refpc6lit is fitly compared to a far reand ratio- peuir, ix pro_ rabie winde, which inuiteth paffengers to put foorth into cuI1471.rietus the fea, and having brought them into the maine, either idem,deferit al- there leaucth thé becalmed,or turning about raifethagain(} to faue4! mari. them adangerous florme. In refpe6l ofboth which hunes Scnec ca .mOc- ui and dangers,which commonlyaccrew to thole which are a. popular, cuen the Heathen man efleemed it apart of happi Faix sondo# nefle, to bee rather skorned, then magnified by the multi- engum turba tude. And therefore let not vs, who profeflingChriflianitie 'ieü dsndet. lhould haue more profited in true wifedome, account it a Sc"" part ofour felicitie tobe highly aduanced in their loue and favour; but contemning thisdifbonourable honour, of be- Tarpe decor ing gracious with the gracelefl'e,and pleating to the wicked :Vac!fifemars, multitude,lecvslabourinthe firfl place topleafeGod, and to be approonedby our owne confciences; and in the next place to maintaine our good name and reputation among the godly and vertuous; not looking to the fnalnes oftheir number,but to the greatneffe oftheir worth, and the excel- lencie of their iudgement. In which refpe61 wee fhould pre- ferre one of there (harp- flghted before a whole fwarme ofthofe buzzing flyes. And thus much concerning popularitie. Thenext branch 4.Se17.io. ofhonour isprioritie or precedencie, confifling in the ha- The vanille of wing or taking ofthevpper place, orbetterhand :a thing in p ortyofplac it felfe fo vaine andfriuolous,that it is vnfit to be the fubie6I P ofany graue and Chriflian difcourfe :but yet fo much eflee- med and flood vpon among worldlings, out oftheir pride and felfeloue,that theymore bend their thoughts,and (pend X their
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