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IF thoſe precepts that aduiſe the pre- uenting of the infirmities of the mind, haue bin euer more ſafe and ſweet, thē theirs that like laws hold their peace vntil they haue them in their power , and then plucke them vp by the roots:iſ he that preſcribes temperance be the beſt Phyſicion : hee the beſt Pilot that foreſees a ſtorme : he the best Stateſ-man , that vnder- ſtands the dangers of his Countrey in their bud and greenneβe : and in a word they the happiest Counſellors, that ſeeke to keep vs out of the contingency of perill : it is not impoſsible (Reader) but I may be of ſome vſe to thee: But I prayſCheck-out: Sadneſſe, ſo doth the Phyſicion his me- dicine, which howſoeuer thy taſte abhorres , thy reaſon deſires, and being once downe, thou art content to forget the lothſomneſſe , and regard the operation. I will com- mend my preſcription to thee no further , then that it cannot hurt ; what good it may doe , let thy experience reſolue thee ; which the warranty of the ſafety may in- uite thee to : If it wants thoſe graces and embelliſh- ments that he hath need of, that aduentures on an in- nouation; let a plaine true tale be accepted better then a || A2<r>
filed falſhood; eſpecially ſince through the cloud of mine Ignorance truth ſhewes thee light enough, to direct thy way, though not to delight thee in thy iourney : I ſeeke not honour from thee,nor am I the ſubiect of thine opini- on ; thy cenſure ſhall onely concerne thy ſelfe : for mee, though I ſhould hold my cloake the faſter for the winde; yet ſhall I neuer yeeld it to the Sunne; he that feeles not their preſent power, needes not feare the future , and I am armed againſt both, either with a knowledge or a dul- neſſe of proofe : And ſo I leaue thee to thine owne iudge- ment if thou haſt one; or if thou haſt not , to liue like the Moale by hearing: Farewell. <A2v>
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