Of Enmity and Triumph: Of Schism and Heresie, Fidelity, Devotion, Godliness. Wherein is declared, how Gratitude and Felicity inspire and perfect all the Vertues.

I Should here have ended all my discourse on Vertue, had it not been necessary to speak something of our Enemies. Since there was never any man so Wise but he had some, it is not to be expected that the most Vertuous Man living should be altogether without them. Moses, and David, and Elijah and Daniel had Enemies, so had our Lord Jesus Christ himself. Joseph had some in his younger daies, and Solomon some in his Old age: Of all the Prophets I find Samuel the most clear and exempted from them. But this I observe, that Men of great and transcendent Principles, of staid and well-govern’d Passions, of meek and condescending Behaviours, highly kind and serviceable in their Age, free from the spots and blemishes of the World, have frequently arrived to an universal Applause and Honour, and moved in a sphere so high above the Nation in which they lived, that as if they had been Creatures of another World, they have enjoyed a Veneration above their Degree, and been surrounded with a repose, that makes them look like Angels in a kind of Heaven; that that Heaven which they enjoyed upon Earth, was the Work, and the Reward, and the Crown of Vertue. Thus Moses after his long Meekness, and invincible Fidelity to the Jewish Nation, was in the close of his life most exceedingly honour’d by all the People, and lamented after his death by a million of Persons, that felt the disastre of so great a loss. Joseph suffered much by the Envy of his Brethren in the beginning, and the Lust and Slander of his Mistress. But after he had once been the Saviour of the Land of Egypt, and of his Fathers Family, his Vertue being known, he enjoyed a long life of Glory and Honour, and of the abundance of his own peace and tranquility, communicated a repose and prosperity to his Nation. Joshua did run the hazard of being stoned for crossing the perverse humour of the Jews, when he returned from searching the Land of Canaan: but from Moses's death, throughout all his life afterwards was an absolute Prince among his own People, and a glorious Victor over all their Enemies.