ANTHONY:  Though I go out but little, cousin, yet hear I sometimes—­when I say little!—­almost as much as that.  But since there is no man to whom we can complain for redress, what remedy is there but patience, and to sit still and hold our peace?  For of these two who strive which of them both shall reign over us—­and each of them calleth himself king, and both twain put the people to pain—­one is, as you know well, too far from our quarter here to help us in this behalf.  And the other, since he looketh for the Turk’s aid, either will not, or (I suppose) dare not find any fault with them that favour the Turk and his sect.  For of natural Turks this country lacketh none now; they are living here under divers pretexts, and of everything they advertise the great Turk full surely.  And therefore, cousin, albeit that I would advise every man to pray still and call unto God to hold his gracious hand over us and keep away this wretchedness if his pleasure be, yet would I further advise every good Christian body to remember and consider that it is very likely to come.  And therefore I would advise him to make his reckoning and count his pennyworths before, and I would advise every man (and every woman, too) to appoint with God’s help in their own mind beforehand what they intend to do if the very worst should befall.

I

VINCENT:  Well fare your heart, good uncle, for this good counsel of yours!  For surely methinketh that this is marvellous good.

But yet heard I once a right learned and very good man say that it would be great folly, and very perilous too, if a man should think upon any such thing or imagine any such question in his mind, for fear of double peril that may follow thereupon.  For he shall be likely to answer himself that he will rather suffer any painful death than forsake his faith, and by that bold appointment should he fall into the fault of St. Peter, who of oversight made a proud promise and soon had a foul fall.  Or else would he be likely to think that rather than abide the pain he would forsake God indeed, and by that mind should he sin deadly through his own folly, whereas he needeth not do so, since he shall peradventure never come in the peril to be put thereto.  And therefore it would be most wisdom never to think upon any such manner of question.

ANTHONY:  I believe well, cousin, that you have heard some men who would so say.  For I can show almost as much as that left in writing by a very good man and a great solemn doctor.  But yet, cousin, although I should happen to find one or two more, as good men and as well learned too, who would both twain say and write the same, yet would I not fear for my part to counsel my friend to the contrary.