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A man hauinge only great aucthoritie shall not be called honneste
for he is honnest that is virtuous, and not vile nor abiecte. To
nobilitie there is likewise required honnestie wch is also a parte
of Iustice. Nobilitie ought to despize all vices as contraries to
virtue. ffirst as we have faith whose contrarie is infidelitie of God
blasphemie, & heresie wth such like. So are the vices contrary
to Nobilitie. Nobilitie is (as it were) not vile, but notable, yet
maye a notable man for infamie or anye other vice become noted
according to the opinion of Tullio, All men be reputed notable
and worthie, wch are men of integritie virtuous & of good fame
And therfore vices are contrarie to virtue, and in vsinge of
them we lose the dignitie gotten by virtue. The priviledges
of Nobilitie are also loste, by gevinge false witnes, for per:
iurie and other suche detestable offences. A gent is called
greate & good, and they of base condicion be estemed by contrarie
wordes. Vilitie obscureth nobilitie, and for Cowardice a gent
ought to be banished the Princes prescence, according to the
Civile lawe, a gent ought to be furnished of welthe & riches
not as the Philosopher meaneth but according to other aucthors
The lawe Ciuile & hollie scripture affirme, that pouertie
argueth a base and lowlie minde. Solomon saith that God
sendeth povertie vppon the howse of the wicked, the lawe affir:
meth that pouertie is the punishment of sinne, and warninge
to refraine evell doinge. Pouertie disableth the condicion of
man, and riches doe bewtifie nobilitie. Riches are the goodes
of all virtue & dignitie, wthout them charitie cannot be prac:
tized. The poore is releued by the welthie nobilitie, Poutie
maketh the nobleest man to be neglected, and the decretall
affirmeth, that the Prelatts wthout selth cannot profitt
others as a soule wthout a bodie. Cassiodoro writeth that Po:
vertie causeth great discommodities, for not beinge hable to
releive such as have neede. Solomon writeth in his Proverbs, yt
riches do gaine freinds, but from the poore all men stande
aloof. Constantino the Emperor to bewtifie his dignitie builded
manie pallacs. Tullio declareth that dignitie wthout pffitt can:
not continue. Riches do helpe good men and presrue virtue as
Ambrosio writeth, Augustino de ciuitate Dei saith ye riche
wise men be iuste & good, and the poore be allwaies cravinge
& covetous. Riches in a gent not beinge covetous are commenda:
ble so longe as he refraineth glotenie incontinence & other vices.
And accordinge to ye decretall, riches, nobilitie, honnor, & aucthoritie