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TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

THE LADY DALKEITH,

LADY GOVERNESS TO HER HIGHNESS

THE PRINCESS HENRIETTA.

MADAM,

IT is unsafe in these dangerous days for any

to go abroad without a convoy, or, at the least, a pass; my book hath both in being dedicated to your honour. The apostle saith, Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? * I am one of your honour's planting, and could heartily wish, that the fruit I bring forth were worthy to be tasted by your judicious palate. Howsoever, accept these grapes, if not for their goodness, for their novelty though not sweetest relished, they are soonest ripe, being the first fruits of Exeter press, presented unto you. And if ever my ingratitude should forget my obligations to your honour, these black lines will turn red, and blush his unworthiness that wrote them. In

* 1 Cor. ix. 7.

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this pamphlet your ladyship shall praise whatsoever you are pleased but to pardon. But I am tedious, for your honour can spare no more minutes from looking on a better book, her infant Highness, committed to your charge. Was ever more hope of worth in a less volume? But O! how excellently will the same, in due time, be set forth, seeing the paper is so pure, and your ladyship the overseer to correct the press! The continuance and increase of whose happiness here, and hereafter, is desired in his daily devotions, who resteth

Your honour's in all

Christian service,

THOMAS FULLER.

GOOD THOUGHTS IN

BAD TIMES.

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PERSONAL MEDITATIONS.

I.

ORD, how near was I to danger, yet escaped! I was upon the brink of the brink of it, yet fell not in; they are well kept who are kept by thee. Excellent archer! Thou didst hit thy mark in missing it, as meaning to fright, not hurt me. Let me not now be such a fool as to pay my thanks to blind Fortune for a favour which the eye of Providence hath bestowed upon Rather let the narrowness of my escape make my thankfulness to thy goodness the larger, lest my ingratitude justly cause, that, whereas this arrow but hit my hat, the next pierce my head.

me.

II.

when thou shalt visit me with a sharp

disease, I fear I shall be impatient; for I am choleric by my nature, and tender by my temper, and have not been acquainted with sickness all my lifetime. I cannot expect any kind usage

from that which hath been a stranger unto me. I fear I shall rave and rage. O whither will my mind sail, when distemper shall steer it? whither will my fancy run, when diseases shall ride it? My tongue, which of itself is a fire,* sure will be a wildfire, when the furnace of my mouth is made seven times hotter with a burning fever. But, Lord, though I should talk idly to my own shame, let me not talk wickedly to thy dishonour. Teach me the art of patience whilst I am well, and give me the use of it when I am sick. In that day either lighten my burden or strengthen my back. Make me, who so often, in my health, have discovered my weakness presuming on my own strength, to be strong in sickness when I solely rely on thy assistance.

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III.

ORD, this morning my unseasonable visiting

of a friend disturbed him in the midst of his devotions: unhappy to hinder another man's goodness. If I myself build not, shall I snatch the axe and hammer from him that doth? Yet I could willingly have wished, that rather than he should then have cut off the cable of his prayers, I had twisted my cord to it, and had joined with him in his devotions; however, to make him the best amends I may, I now request of thee for him whatsoever he would have requested for himself. Thus he shall be no loser, if thou be pleased

* James, iii. 6.

to hear my prayer for him, and to hearken to our Saviour's intercession for us both.

IV.

ORD, since these woful wars began, one, formerly mine intimate acquaintance, is now turned a stranger, yea, an enemy. Teach me how to behave myself towards him. Must the new foe quite justle out the old friend? May I not with him continue some commerce of kindness? Though the amity be broken on his side, may not I preserve my counterpart entire? Yet how can I be kind to him, without being cruel to myself and thy cause? O guide my shaking hand, to draw so small a line straight; or rather, because I know not how to carry myself towards him in this controversy, even be pleased to take away the subject of the question, and speedily to reconcile these unnatural differences.

V.

ORD, my voice by nature is harsh and un

better it. Can my singing of psalms be pleasing to thy ears, which is unpleasant to my own? yet though I cannot chant with the nightingale, or chirp with the blackbird, I had rather chatter with the swallow, yea, rather croak with the raven, than be altogether silent. Hadst thou given me a better voice, I would have praised thee with

* Isaiah, xxxviii. 14.

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