to my reverend friend doctor a sir among consolation it be not the least to  represent to a man self like example of calamity in other for example give a  quick impression then argument and beside they certify we that which the  scripture also tender for satis faction that no new thing be hap n unto we  this they do the bet to by how much the example be like in circumstance to our  own case and more especial if they fall upon person that be great and worthy  then our self for as it savour of vanity to match our self high in our own con  ceit so on the other side it be a good sound conclusion that if our better  have sustain the like event we have the less cause to be grieve in this kind  of consolation I have not be want to my self though as a Christian I have  taste through God great goodness of high remedy have therefore through the  variety of my read set before I many example both of ancient and latter time  my think I confess have chief stay upon three particular as the most eminent  the most resemble all three person that have hold chief place of authority in  their con try all three ruin not by war or by any other disaster but by  justice and sentence as delinquent and criminal all three famous wri to  insomuch as the remembrance of their calamity be now as to post rity but as a  little picture of night work remain among the fair and excellent table of  their act and work and all three if that be any thing to the matter fit  example to quench any man be bition of rise again for that they be every one  of they restore with great glory but to their fur there ruin and destruction  end in a violent death the man be Demosthenes Cicero and Seneca person that I  dare not claim relation  thy with except the similitude of our fortune have  contract it when I have cast I eye upon these example I be carry on further to  observe how they do bear their fortune and principal how they do employ their  time be banish and disable for public business to the end that I may learn by  they and that they may be as well my counsellor as my comforter whereupon I  hpned to note how diverse their fortune wrought upon they especial in that  point at which I do most aim which be the they ploying of their time and pen  in Cicero I see that during his banishment which be almost two year he be so  soften and deje cted that he write nothing but a few womanish epistle and yet  in I own opinion he have least reason of the three to be discoura ged for that  although it be judge and judge by the high kind of judgement in from of a  statute or law that he shall be banish and his whole estate confiscate and  seize and his how say pull down and that it shall be high penal for any man to  pro pound his repeal yet his case even then have no great blot of ig nominy  but it be think but a tempest of popularity which over throw he Demost henes  opposite direction wise though his case be foul be king condemn for bribery  and not simple bribery but bribery in the nature of treason and disloyalty yet  nevertheless take so little know ledge of his fortune as during his banishment  he do much busy himself and intermeddle with mat to of state and take upon he  to counsel the state as if he have be still at the helm by letter as appear by  some epistle of his which be extant Seneca indeed who be condemn for many  corruption and crime and banish into a so litary island keep a mean though his  pen do not freeze yet he abstai n from intrude into matter of business but  spend his time in wri ting book of excellent argument and use for all age  though he may have make better choice sometime of his dedication these example  confirm I much in a resolution whereunto I be otherwise incline to spend my  time whole in write to put forth that poor talon or half talon or what it be  that God have give I but revolve with my self my wri thing as well those which  I have pub lisht as those I have in hand I think they all go into the city and  none into the temple where because I find so great an ancient deity lation I  desire to make some poor oblation therefore I have choose a argument mix of  reli ligious and civil consideration and likewise mix between con templative  and active this work because I be ever a enemy to flatter dedication I have de  dicated to you in respect of our ancient and private acquaintance and because  among the man of our time I hold you in especial reverence your love friend  from saint Alban