A divine herbal together with a forrest of thorns In five sermons. ... By…A divine herball together with a forrest of thornes In five sermons. ... By…

Declines a mans estate in this world, as if his hand had scattered too lavishly? There is an herb in this Garden; let him for a while feed on it: Parsley, Parsimony. Hereon he will abridge himself of some superfluities: and remember, that moderate fare is better then a whole College of Physicians. He will wear good clothes, and never better; knowing there is no degree beyond decency. It was for Pompey to wear as rich a scarf about his leg, as other Princes wore on their heads. But the frugal man can clothe himself all over decently, with half the cost, that one of our gallant Pompeys caseth his leg. He that would not want long, let him practise to want somewhat, before he extremely needs.¹ I have read of an English Martyr, that being put into a prison at Canterbury, tried (when she had liberty of better fare) to live on a spare diet; as preparing and prearming herself with ability to brook it, when necessity should ⟨p. 82⟩put her to it. Frugality puts but three fingers into the purse at once: Prodigality scatters it by heaps and handfuls. It is reported, that Caesars host lived a long time at Dyrrhachium with Coleworts: whereof arose the Proverb, Lapsana vivere, to live sparingly. That stock lasts, that is neither horded miserably, nor dealt out indiscreetly. We sow the furrow, not by the sack, but by the handful. The wise man knows, it is better looking through a poor lattice-window, then through an iron grate. And though he will lend what he may, he will not borrow till he must need.