306 EXPOSTULATION TO LORD COKE. 



our enemies ; though she give heart then to the 

 most cowardly to strike us ; though an hour s con 

 tinuance countervails an age of prosperity ; though 

 she cast in our dish all that ever we have done ; yet 

 hath she no power to hurt the humble and wise, but 

 only to break such as too much prosperity hath made 

 stiff in their own thoughts, but weak indeed ; and 

 fitted for renewing : when the wise rather gather 

 from thence profit and wisdom ; by the example of 

 David, who said, &quot; Before I was chastised I went 

 astray.&quot; Now then he that knoweth the right way, 

 will look better to his footing. Cardan saith, that 

 weeping, fasting, and sighing, are the chief purges 

 of grief ; indeed naturally they do assuage sorrow : 

 but God in this case is the only and best physician ; 

 the means he hath ordained are the advice of friends, 

 the amendment of ourselves : for amendment is both 

 physician and cure. For friends, although your 

 lordship be scant, yet I hope you are not altogether 

 destitute ; if you be, do but look upon good books : 

 they are true friends, that will neither flatter nor 

 dissemble : be you but true to yourself, applying 

 that which they teach unto the party grieved, and 

 you shall need no other comfort nor counsel. To 

 them, and to God s holy Spirit, directing you in the 

 reading of them, I commend your lordship; be 

 seeching him to send you a good issue out of these 

 troubles, and from henceforth to work a reformation 

 in all that is amiss, and a resolute perseverance, pro 

 ceeding, and growth, in all that is good ; and that for 

 his glory, the bettering of yourself, this church, and 



