From the Low-Countries. HAT one of the surest grounds of a mans liberty is, not to give another power over it. That the most dangerous plunge whereto to put thine enemy, is desperation, while forcing him to set light by his owne life, thou makest him master of thine. That neglected danger lights soonest and heaviest. That they are wisest, who in the likelihood of good, provide for ill. That since pity dwels at the next doore to misery, he liveth most at ease, that is neighboured with envie. That the evill fortune of the warres, as well as the good, is variable. 康 Newes from my Lodging. HAT the best prospect is to looke inward. That it is, quieter sleeping in a good conscience, then a whole skin. That a soule in a fat body lies soft, and is loth to rise. That he must rise betimes who would cosen the devil. That flattery is increased from a pillow under the elbow, to a bed under the whole body. That policie That he who is the unsleeping night of reason. sleepes in the cradle of security, sinnes soundly without starting. That guilt is the flea of the con science. That no man is throughly awaked, but by affliction. That a hang'd chamber in private, is nothing so convenient as a hang'd traitour in publike. That the religion of papistry, is like a curtaine, made to keepe out the light. That the life of most women is walking in their sleep, and they talke their dreames. That chambering is counted a civiller quality, then playing at tables in the hall, though serving-men use both. That the best bedfellow for all times in the yeare, is a good bed without a fellow. That he who tumbles in a calme bed, hath his tempest within. That he who will rise, must first lye downe and take humility in his way. That sleep is deaths picture drawne to life, or the twylight of life and death. That in sleep we kindly shake death by the hand; but when we are awaked, we will not know him. That often sleepings are so many trials to dye, that at last we may doe it perfectly. That few dare write the true newes of their chamber and that I have none secret enough to tempt a strangers curiosity, or a servants discovery. God give you good morrow. B. R. Newes of my morning Worke. HAT to bee good; the way is to bee most alone, or the best accompanied. That the way to heaven is mistaken for the most melancholy walke. That the most feare the worlds opinion, more then Gods displeasure. That a court-friend seldome goes further then the first degree of charitie. That the devill is the perfectest courtier. That innocencie was first cousin to man, now guiltinesse hath the neerest alliance. That sleepe is deaths leiger-ambassadour. That time can never bee spent: we passe by it, and cannot returne. That none can bee sure of more time then an instant. That sinne makes worke for repentance, or the devill. That patience hath more power then afflictions. That every ones memory is divided into two parts: the part losing all, is the sea, the keeping part is land. That honesty in the court lives in persecution, like Protestants in Spain. That predestination and constancy are alike uncertaine to be judged of. That reason makes love the serving-man. That vertues favour is better then a kings favourite. That being sick, begins a suit to God; being well, possesseth it. That health is the coach which carries to heaven, sicknesse the post horse. That worldly delights to one in extreme sicknesse, is like a high candle to a blind man. That absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it, that the one brings fuell, the other blowes it till it burnes cleare: that love often breakes friendship, that ever increaseth love. That constancy of women, and love in men, is alike rare. That art is truths juggler. That falsehood playes a larger part in the world then truth. That blind zeale, and lame knowledge, are alike apt to ill. That fortune is humblest where most contemned. That no porter but resolution keepes feare out of minds. That the face of goodnesse without a body, is the worst wickednesse. That womans fortunes aspire but by others powers. That a man with a female wit, is the worst hermaphrodite. That a man not worthy being a friend, wrongs himselfe by being in acquaintance. That the worst part of ignorance, is making good and ill seeme alike. That all this is newes onely to fooles. Mist. B. Newes from the lower end of the Table. T is said among the folk here, that if a man die in his infancy, hee hath onely broke his fast in this world: if in his youth, hee hath left us at dinner. That it is bedtime with a man at three-score and ten: and hee that lives to a hundred yeeres, hath walked a mile after supper. That the humble-minded man makes the lowest curtesie. That grace before meat, is our election, before we were: grace after meat our salvation when we are gone. The soule that halts betweene two opinions, falls betweene two stooles. That a foole at the upper end of the table, is the bread before the salt. Hee that hates to bee reprooved, sits in his owne light. Hunger is the cheapest sawce, and nature the cheapest guest. The sensible man and the silent woman, are the best discoursers. Repentance without amendment, is but the shifting of a foule trencher. Hee that tels a lie to save his credit, wipes his mouth with his sleeve to spare his napkin. The tongue of a jester is the fiddle that the hearts of the company dance to. The tongue of a foole carves a piece of his heart to every man that sits next him. A silent man is a covered messe. The contented man onely is his owne carver. Hee that hath many friends, eats too much salt with his meat. That wit without discretion, cuts other men meat and his owne fingers. That the soule of a cholericke man sits ever by the fire-side. That patience is the lard of the leane meat of adversitie. The epicure puts his money into his belly, and the miser his belly into his purse. That the best company makes the upper end of the table, and not the salt-celler. The superfluitie of a mans possessions, is the broken meat that should remaine |