Downame - Puritan-02038 v2

Mat al worldly things are but mere v. út :es. ,Sr he is wholly tranfported with couetoufnes,and biceth at no bait fo eagerly,as at that which is couered wich gold. Now what worth or excellencie can bee in that, which hath his whole fttbfìflence in fo vnflable a ground, altering and changing,rifing and falling, according to the vaine conceit, and inconfiant opinion ofmutable mankind? But let vs confider the truth hereof in thofe fpeciall i n- 4.Sv. 2. flances,ofhonours, riches and pleafures which worldlings 0pinionMa- dote vpon with fuch great .loue and admiration. And fittikethbononrsfo for the honours of the world,who feeth not,that they arc in mxcbaffccl d. themfelues but bare fhadowes and titles, confifling in the obferuance offome idle rites and ceremonies, as in higher place, capping,crouching ,bowing,kneeling,defcents, arms, pie iures,words and tearmes,which haue in them no fubflan- tiall good at all, but onely are efleemed and reputed fo, in the conceit and opinion of the giuers and receiuers; the which foundation being altogether vnflable andinfirme, that which is built vpon it, muff needs bee vaine and muta- ble; honours changing and varying,asofc as their opinions who doe conferre them change and alter. And hereofit is; that the felfefame thing which is honourablein one maïi,is difgracefull in another; that which is now praifed and ex- tolled,is at another time difcommended and difgraced; and 4 StFi 3. thofe obferuances and ceremonies, which in oneplace doe Thai opinion molt magnifie a mans worth and dignitie, doe in another giueihruhes place and countrie vilifie and difgrace him ; the opinions of their tbiefeex. men,changing with theaire,and honours with opinion. cellencie. The like alto may be Paid ofrichcs,which although they g`ium et onne be more reali and fccbüantiall then the other;yet their chiefe re 711. di, goodneffe and excellencieconfifleth in the opinion of thofe bra é? alba, who defire and pofheffe them; for what true worth and ex- guam jolus cellencie are in.pearles and precious flones which are valued bominum error at fuch high rates; if at !call we meafure worth by fruition 'r Pwrprmj gis and vie, but that which they haue from the vngrounded [um? phantafie,and vaine conceitofthofewho dcfire them? what Bcrnard.de great excellencie is there in gold and filuer, abone copper, aduent.domi- iron and fleele,but that as one faith ,by the madneffëoffome n; seam.¢. Y Æc paacarum merr,they are become precious ; Neither bath nuture(as faith inlania precio. another) fsm.Seneca.