214 Arbatel of Magick.
are not too much bufied about unneceffary things, according to the admonition of Chrift ; CMartha^ Martha, thou art troubled about many thirds ; but Mary hath chofen the better part^which (ball not be taken from her. Therefore let us alwaies have regard unto the faying of Chrift, Seck^Jfe frfi the \ingdom of God and his right eon fr.efi , ami all thefe things (hall be added unto you. Ail other things, that is, all things which are due to the mortal Microcofme, as food, raiment, and the necefla- ry arts of this life.
c/fphor.46.
There is nothing fo much beccmeth a man , as conftancy in his words and deeds , and when the like rejoyceth in his like ; there are none more happy then fuch, becaufe the holy Angels are converfant about fuch, and pofTefs the ctiftody of them : on the contrary, men that are unconftant are lighter then nothing, and rotten leaves. We chufe the 46 Apho- rifme from thefe. Even as every one governeth himfelf, fo he allureth unto himfelf Spirits of his nature and con- dition ; but one very truely advifeth , that nomanfhould carry himfelf beyond his own calling, left that he draw un- to himfelf fome malignant Spirit from the uttermofl parts of the earth, by whom either he fhall be infatuated and de- ceived, or brought to final definition. This precepr appear- eth moft plainly : for Midat, when he would convert all things into gold, drew up fuch a Spirit unto himfelf, which was able to perform this ; and being deceived by him, he had been brought to death by famine , if his foolifhnefs had not been corrected by the mercy of God. The fame thing happened to a certain woman about Fanckford at Odera , in our times, who would fctape together & devour mony of any thing. Would that men would diligently weigh this precept, and not account the Hiftories of Midas , and the like, for fa- bles; they would be much more diligent in moderating their thoughts and affections , neither would they be fo perpe- tually vexed with the Spirits of the golden mountains of U- topia. Therefore we ought moft diligently to obferve , that
fuch
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