Since we regard so greatly the estimation of worldly folk, I wish that we would, among the many wicked things that they do, regard also some such as are good.  For it is a manner among them, in many places, that some by handicraft, some by merchandise, some by other kinds of living, arise and come forward in the world.  And commonly folk are in their youth set forth to suitable masters, under whom they are brought up and grow.  But now, whensoever they find a servant such that he disdaineth to do such things as his master did while he was himself a servant, that servant every man accounteth for a proud unthrift, never like to come to good proof.  Let us, lo, mark and consider this, and weigh it well withal:  Our master Christ (who is not only the master, but the maker too, of all this whole world) was not so proud as to disdain for our sakes the most villainous and most shameful death, after the worldly count, that then was used in the world.  And he endured the most despiteful mocking therewith, joined to the most grievous pain, as crowning him with sharp thorn, so that the blood ran down about his face.  Then they gave him a reed in his hand for a sceptre, and kneeled down to him and saluted him like a king in scorn, and beat then the reed upon the sharp thorns about his holy head.  Now our Saviour saith that the disciple or servant is not above his master.  And therefore, since our master endured so many kinds of painful shame, very proud beasts may we well think ourselves if we disdain to do as our master did.  And whereas he through shame ascended into glory, we would be so mad that we would rather fall into everlasting shame, both before heaven and hell, than for fear of a short worldly shame to follow him to everlasting glory.

XXIV

VINCENT:  In good faith, uncle, as for the shame, you shall need to take no more pains.  For I suppose surely that any man who hath reason in his head shall hold himself satisfied with this.

But, of truth, uncle, all the pinch is in the pain.  For as for shame, I perceive well now that a man may with wisdom so master it that it shall nothing move him at all—­so much so that it is become a common proverb in almost every country that “shame is as it is taken.”  But, by God, uncle, all the wisdom in this world can never so master pain but that pain will be painful, in spite of all the wit in this world!

ANTHONY:  Truth it is, cousin, that no man can, with all the reason he hath, in such wise change the nature of pain that in the having of pain he feel it not.  For unless it be felt, perdy, it is no pain.  And that is the natural cause, cousin, for which a man may have his leg stricken off at the knee and it grieve him not—­if his head be off but half an hour before!

But reason may make a reasonable man not to shrink from it and refuse it to his more hurt and harm.  Though he would not be so foolish as to fall into it without cause, yet upon good causes—­either of gaining some kind of great profit or avoiding some kind of great loss, or eschewing thereby the suffering of far greater pain—­he would be content and glad to sustain it for his far greater advantage and commodity.