A TREATISE 



art is, none can rightly underftand or believe, but hee that 

 hath the knowledge of it , or hath feenc the vertue and efh'caci- 

 tyofit. 



15. All thefearts, confift in common rules , which require thefe- 



Of Prudence, cond of thofe qualities, whereby we laid humane actions are go- 

 verned, to apply them to their particular matter : and that is 

 Prudence; which we may define to be , a quality or power , by 

 whofc afiiftance we apply unto the matter we are to work upon, 

 fuch initruments, as in our prefent judgement appeare fitteft to 

 bring it to that parte, which ferveth beft for our intentions, when 

 by our fenfes, or by other guefles, we know the particular difpo- 

 fitions of the matter, and of the inftruments wherewith we are 

 to change ir. Now howbeit this occurreth generally in all arts, 

 yet its Ipeciall place and necelfity , is in governing and mo- 

 derating our owne or other mens Morall actions ; and ac- 

 cordingly, itsnameisefpecially addicted thereunto : and that 

 man is laid to be prudent or difcreet, who governeth hiinfelfe 

 and others well. 



This quality of Morall Prudence in generall , is divicfeJ into 

 three particular ones: thefitft of which belongeth to a gover- 

 nour in a (late or common wealth : the" next may be affigned to 

 t him that isskilfullinthelawes : and the third concerneth the 

 managing and conduct of military actions. The reafon of this 

 long received diftribution peradventure is, becaufe in thefe oc- 

 currences, our pafiion Avayeth us generally more then in any 

 others : and the operation and effect of ?r#fe*c<?,{whofe Pro- 

 vince is to curbe and moderate our paffions by reafon) is greateft, 

 and appeareth moft in thofe fubjects, where paflion raigneth ufn- 

 ally with greateft impetuofity. 



14 Thus have we runne over the maine parts of difeourfe, and 



Dbfcrvatlons the generall heads of mans action as maa: which peradventure 

 at /- -j ma y through their nameroufnefTe, appeare to bee as it were but 



n laid ' 



f ri r / t 11 



indisChap- loofclylcatteredrromourpenne j (as happeneth unto all mate- 

 rials, that muftferve for after buildings ; and that till they bee 

 employed, require no more but forting, and laying together in 

 feverall heapes, to the end they may bee ready foruftf: ) and 

 therefore before wee goe any further, it will not bee amifle to 

 make reflexions upon what wee have (aid ; and to draw it nearer 

 our intended fcope ; and to fquare out and give fome figure and 



poliftiing 



