Downame - Puritan-02038 v2

44z Thatall worldly eiatet ^re fall ofdifeontent. he might refs from there vaine courfes, and fettle himfeife in fame profitable calling, vino t-vhich when hee bath attained he is not content, but thinking old age honourable,defi- reth that he might haue a (hare in that reuerence and re (-pea which is due unto it, in the meane time neuer thinking of themanifold infirmities, gricfesand difcontentmentswhich it bringeth with ir. Of which when hee tafieth, they are fo burthenfome voto him, that having now no other age to change withall,he defireth to be vnburthenedof them euen by death it felfe. The like difeontent is to be obferued in all other bates and conditions : hee that leadeth a fingle life is wearie of his folitarineffe, and thinketh there is no comfort equal! to that fweet fociety ofman and wife; being marled, he waxeth wearie of his yoke, either becaufe hee hath made an ill andvoequall choice,or becaufe hee is impatient of the cares and troubles incident to this efiate,and nowwifheth againethat he were at liberty. He that hath no children ta- keth no pleafure in his poffeflïons, becaufe hee wanteth an heire to fuccecde him, and little playfellowes to beare him 'Getup. companie :he that hath children is not contented, either be- caufe they arevnrulie, or ouer burthenfome, imagining that if he had leffe companie,he fhould haue better flore,and hue in greaterplentie; and yet if he bee taken at his word hee is ready to repent, and to thinke that there is no greater loffe, then when by having his companie leffened,he faueth ofhis former charges. The feruant thinketh his life a bondage,and wifheth meanes of liberty that hee might line at his owne command; and when he is come to be a mafier,he is difcon- tented much more, in gouerning and prouiding for his fa- milie. The people diflike their fubiedìion, and grieuoufly complaine oftheir heauie burthens,tributes,taxes, cufiomes and impolis; fuppofing that all worldly contentment relieth in foueraignty ; the prince is no lefie wearie of his toile in ru- líng,of his troubles,dangers,and continual) care,hauing not onely himfelfe andprivate familie to looke to, but the whole people and common -wealthwhich fhrowdeth it felfc wider the wings of his prouidence. He thaticadeth a private life, though he liketh ofhis cafe, yet he is difcontented, becaufe he