A14467:52
The school of beastsThe schoole of beastes
The school of beasts; entitled, the good householder, or the economics. Made dialogue-wise, by M. Peter Viret, translated out of French into English, by I.R.The schoole of beastes; intituled, the good housholder, or the oeconomickes. Made dialogue-wise, by M. Peter Viret, translated out of French into English, by I.R.
London: printed by Robert Walde-grave, 1585London: printed by Robert VValde-graue, 1585
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Theophrast. Let us leave of that matter, and come again unto Solomon, who joineth here these four beasts, who notwithstanding they are but little of body, yet nevertheless they do plainly show, that they have a marvellous natural wisdom, by which they pass and excel the same of the wise men. Then as he would that we should learn of the Ante, to be diligent, given to labour, and well ⟨image 14⟩foreseeing to our affairs: So he sendeth us unto the Connies, 1that we may learn by their example, not only to be diligent, and given to labour, but also to seek for a sure & firm dwelling. For notwithstanding that the Connies are without strength and resistance, insomuch that they can do none other thing, but to fly at the bay and barking of the least Dog in the world: yet nevertheless they are such continual diggers and scrapers, that they bring it to pass in the end, that they do cleave a sunder and make hollow the stones and rocks, for to lodge them selves therein, and their young ones with them. And therefore it is said in the Psalms. The rocks are a refuge for the Connies. 2For they know very well how to make their Caves and dens, and to find out fit and sure places for the same: and they are very diligent for to provide for their meat and their young-ones, of which they are so fruitful,3 that sometimes the Balearians were constrained to demand aid and ⟨image 15⟩soldiers of Augustus Caesar, against those, fearing least they would destroy their Country, as they have sometime destroyed Cities. Now seeing that we have not here any abiding and permanent City, 4but do seek another: where may we find a sure habitation & dwelling, but in the holy City of the celestial Jerusalem, 5of which God is the wall? And in the Church of Jesus Christ, which is the house of God builded upon the sure stone and sure rock? For the name of God is a strong bulwark and a sure fortress. Wherefore seeing that we have Jesus Christ the sure stone which is the foundation of the holy City of the celestial Jerusalem, and of the prophets and Apostles we are admonished that we must not be fearful and cowards, how great feebleness soever be in us: But that we employ our selves every one according to the gifts which we have received of God, having always our refuge unto that stone and Rock.