The Hillsborough Recorder

From Arthur Warwick's Spare Minutes—1637.

Popular applause and vulgar opinion may blow up, and mount upward the bubble of a vain glorious minde; till it burst in the ayre and vanish; but a wise man builds his glory on the strong foundation of virtue, without expecting or respecting the der props of vulgar opinion.

I not neglect what every one thinks mee; for that were impudent distemper; I will not make it my common care to be heard how I am called for of the common sort, and be solicitous what every one speaks mee; for that were toilsome vanity.

I may do well and bear ill; that's kingly happiness.

I may do ill and hear well; and that's an hypocrite's best felicity.

My actions shall make me harmony in heart's inner chamber; I will not row the voices of the vulgar to ten my musique.

When I see the husbandman contented with the cold of frost and snow in the winter, because, though it chilleth the ground, yet it killeth charlocke; though it checheth him somewhat in growing, yet it checheth the weeds from growing at all; why should I be moved at the unkindness of affliction? why vexed at the qualm fit of a quartane ague? why offended at the cold change of affection in summer friend?

If as they seem to hurt my mind or body, they be healthful to my bittered soule.

I want kill my wantonness, my poverty check my pride, my disrespe slrighting quell my ambition vaine glory, and every word of being thus choaked by affliction winter, my soule may grow towards heaven's harvest, let my winter bee bitter, so that I bee gathered the good corne at reaping time.