A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties

§. Sect. 1 That the end of every thing is to be preferred before the means which are destinated unto it.

§. Sect. 1 That the end of euery thing is to be preferred before the meanes which are destinated vnto it.

According to the rules of reason, we esteem the end of all things to be the best, and to be preferred before the things which are destinated to the achieving of it; and every thing as it doth more of less conduce hereunto, so doth it gain or lose a higher place in the work of excellency; because that which advanceth the end, most furthereth that which is most to be desired, namely, perfection and fruition. Thus the end of Physic is health, and therefore, that Physic is to be esteemed best, which most soundly and surely confirmeth or recovereth it. The end of Law is Justice, that every man may quietly enjoy his own, and therefore, that Law and practice of it, is to be chiefly esteemed (not which through the help of Sophistical wit and audacious skill, filleth the Lawyers purse, by protracting suites, and hindering or delaying the course of Justice, but) which best helpeth the Client to the speediest and surest recovery of his right. The end of War is Peace, and therefore, that war to be preferred, which being just, always endeth in such a peace as is sure, secure and permanent. Thus man, being the end of all unreasonable creatures in the heavens and earth, they being made for his use and benefit, is in this regard to be advanced in excellency above them all; and every creature to be esteemed more or less good; as they more or less tend to mans benefit and blessedness. And finally, because Almighty God is the supreme end, he is also the chief Good, and all creatures to be esteemed in worth and excellency, as they most serve for the magnifying of their Lord and Creator, and the advancement of his glory for which end they have their being.

ACcording to the rules of reason, wee esteeme the end of al things to be the best, and to be preferred before the things which are destinated to the atchieuing of it; and euery thing as it doth more of lesse conduce hereunto, so doth it gaine or lose a higher place in the worke of excellency; because that which aduanceth the end, most furthereth that which is most to be desired, namely, perfection and fruition. Thus the end of Physicke is health, and therefore, that Physicke is to be esteemed best, which most soundly and surely confirmeth or recouereth it. The end of Lawe is Iustice, that euery man may quietly inioy his owne, and therefore, that Law and practice of it, is to be chiefely esteemed (not which through the helpe of Sophisticall wit and audacious skill, filleth the Lawyers purse, by protracting suites, and hindering or delaying the course of Iustice, but) which best helpeth the Clyent to the speediest and surest recouery of his right. The end of Warre is Peace, and therefore, that warre to be preferred, which being iust, alwaies endeth in such a peace as is sure, secure and permanent. Thus man, being the end of all vnreasonable creatures in the heauens and earth, they being made for his vse and benefit, is in this regard to be aduanced in excellency aboue them all; and euery creature to be esteemed more or lesse good; as they more or lesse tend to mans benefit and blessednesse. And finally, because Almighty God is the supreme end, he is also the chiefe Good, and all creatures to be esteemed in worth and excellency, as they most serue for the magnifying of their Lord and Creator, and the aduancement of his glory for which end they haue their being.