THE PREFACE TO THE READER.
14 passages
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.
THE PREFACE TO THE READER.
The lips of the righteous feed many. The true diet of the1 soul is an Art most rare, a very divine faculty: It must be granted that the lively voice of the Prophets feedeth most effectually, searching even the secret chambers of the soul, and working greatest impressions in the heart. The holy books and monuments of the righteous are as strong chests and storehouses; wherein God hath ever reserved most precious food for posterity: neither may we reject the industry of the heathen: for they have some food meet for liberal men in matters natural and politic, serving well (if due regard and choice be had) for our direction in things appertaining to this present life. All wise men are circumspect what they feed upon, to preserve their bodies; and ought they not much more to be respective wherewith they feed their souls? Some regard only the lips of the righteous, and feed long before they be strong men, or have their wits exercised to discern good or evil. Some attend only the hand and books of the righteous, and these know little how soundly and truly the believers minds and hearts be fed by the breaking of the bread of life. Some regard neither: these men starve their souls with ignorance, and are settled in Atheism and profaneness. Some attend both, and have well tasted of the good word of life, and go on from strength to strength,2 unto the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ. Some yet there are which neither regard righteous men, nor righteous matter, but feed *indifferently upon all books alike, to the great hazard of their own souls: these men are vain, and feed themselves with vanity. The devil in elder ages, in the blind Papacy, fed blind souls with fables, and idle Friars inventions: now mens wits be refined, they can no more feed on such dry stubble. He feeds dainty ears with choice of words, and unclean hearts with the unchaste and wanton love-songs of Italian Poetry. Such food breeds many unclean beasts in City and Country. Such men cannot love the truth and holiness, because they are replete with error and uncleanness.