The divel, like those painters which are skilfull in the art of perspectiue, taketh pleasure, by false colours and deceitfull shaddowes, to make those things seeme farthest of which are nerest hand (as death), and to abuse our nature with vayne hopes.
fo. 32b.
August, 1602.
As the glasse of tyme is turned euery hour vpside downe, soe is the course of our vncertaine lyfe; as that part which before was full is emptied, and that other which was emptied is replenished, soe fareth this world interchangeably.
As the highest region of the ayre is cleare and without stormes, soe hir minde free from all distemperes of affection.
Those that liue not in the safe arke of your gracious conceit, &c.
The sea can brooke noe carcasses, nor hir Majesties thoughts admit of castaways.
The fig-tree never bare fruit after it was blasted by the breath of Christ; noe plant can prosper that never feeles the comfort of the same; soe, &c.
In this the difference, Adam dyed because he eat of it (i. e. the tree of lyfe), but I shall dye before I looke on it.
Manie find frends to couer faults; my cloke is innocency. An eye may be cleare enough yet not discerne without your light; a course may be direct yet endles without your clewe. My dealings may be free from base alloy, but yet not currant amongst honourable persons without the liuely print of your cherefull countenaunce. What dangerous diseases breed in bodyes naturall by putrefaction springing out of the sunnes eclipse, the same, or rather greater by proportion, must growe in well affected myndes by the darke vayle of your discouragement.
fo. 33.
August, 1602.