Moses his choice with his eye fixed upon Heaven, discovering the happy condition of…

The sinking of the heart under reproaches, or to be put out of the way by them, argues too vile a pusillanimity, such a poor low spirit as is not consistent with the true magnanimity of a Christian. ^*Gulielmus Parisiensis in his Treatise De virtutibus, hath notable Expressions to this purpose, Little things, saith he, yea mere nothings cast down poor weak spirited men. The words of vain men are small things, whosoever fears such words so as to do evil, or to leave off good, are the weakest of men; these are like unto Soldiers who are cast down and overcome, not with some violent strong tempest, but with some small weak puff of wind, these are the more ridiculous and not to be reckoned amongst Warriors; nay, they are not to be reckoned amongst men, who fall off for fear of words, which yet have not been spoken, as if a man should fall for fear of the wind which yet blows not, such are those who dare not do good, or leave evil, for fear of reproaches.

The sinking of the heart under reproaches, or to be put out of the way by them, argues too vile a pusillanimity, such a poor low spirit as is not consistent with the true magnanimity of a Christian. ^*Gulielmus Parisiensis in his Treatise De virtutibus, hath notable Expressions to this purpose, Little things, saith he, yea meer nothings cast down poor weak spirited men. The words of vain men are small things, whosoever fears such words so as to do evil, or to leave off good, are the weakest of men; these are like unto Soldiers who are cast down and overcome, not with some violent strong tempest, but with some small weak puff of winde, these are the more ridiculous and not to be reckoned amongst Warriers; nay, they are not to be reckoned amongst men, who fall off for fear of words, which yet have not been spoken, as if a man should fall for fear of the wind which yet blows not, such are those who dare not do good, or leave evil, for fear of reproaches.

1. *Non solū magna, sed etiā modica, interdū & nihila (ut ita dicam) dejiciunt: Modica enim in rebus sunt vani loquorum hominum, qui ergo hujusmodi verba timent metu eorum vel mala facientes, vel bona facere dimittentes, omnium hominum imbecilliores sunt. Hi sunt milites, qui non vento valido, sed levi sibilo tenuissimoque susurro dejiciuntur atque vincuntur. Hi ridiculofiores sunt & in numero bellatorum nullatenus habendi, nec hominum nomine censendi, qui vorbis quae Hecdum dicta sunt, quasi vento qui nondum flavit, depulsi cadunt, bona facere, vel mala dimittere metu hujusmodi non audentes. Guliel. Paris. de virtutibus.