A treatise co[n]teining certain meditatio[n]s of true & perfect consolatio[n], ... Written in the…A treatice co[n]teining certain meditatio[n]s of trew & perfect consolatio[n], ... Written in the…

Now in all these things we must consider the great liberality of God, with thanksgiving, and comfort our infirmity, so that we do not dismay in our selves, although in this multitude of excellent goods, there is some sharpness mingled with it. For among us men that be voluptuous, there is no meat sodden, roasted or otherwise, what soever it be, which is found good nor savoury without sauce, that hath some eager taste of nature, or that may season it. For this is most true, that when one useth to eat nothing, but sweet things, and doth continue with the same: it is a thing intolerable, ⟨image 42⟩so that it is well said of some, that say all pleasure and voluptuousness engendereth weariness, when it is continued. Also voluptuosity is finally converted into weariness and pain, that is to wit. This life is not so strong, that it may bear the only use of goods and pleasures, without some temperature of evils mixed therewith. From thence cometh this proverb, that the bones ought to be strong, which should bear all their days in wealth and prosperity. And for my part, I have well considered this proverb and oftentimes, and I marvel of the sentence, which containeth so effectual trueth. For there is in man certain desires which do repugn the one against the other the which seek but good days, and nevertheless, when they have that they most desire: they can less suffer it, then if they had evil days. For what doth God set before us in this point: but that the cross to be marvelled ⟨p. 30⟩at, namely of the enemies of the cross? So that God doth temper and season all things, by these afore said means, and sanctifieth them that they perish not, in such manner as one salteth flesh, least that therein breed maggots. From whence cometh it then that we do not accept willingly, this temperature sent of God? For when he doth not send it: our life which can not bear the voluptuous pleasures of prosperity, will call or desire it of his own proper accord. By this means we see how true it is that Solomon saith of God, which quencheth by little and little with great power, and disposeth all things easily. For if they behold well these commodities: they may soon know how true it is that is recited by Moses in the. 32. Chapter of Deuteronomiū. He hath horn us on his back, he hath led us about, and preserved us, as the apple of his eye.

Now in all these thinges we must consider the great liberalitie of God, with thankesgeuing, and comfort our infirmitie, so that we doo not dismay in our selues, although in this multitude of excellent goodes, there is some sharpnesse mingled with it. For among vs men that be volupteous, there is no meat sodden, rosted or otherwise, what soeuer it be, whiche is found good nor sauery without sauce, that hath some egar taste of nature, or that may season it. For this is moste true, that when one vseth to eat nothing, but sweet thinges, and dooth continew with the same: it is a thing intollerable,