An Ample Declaration of the Christian DoctrineChapter 10. Of vertues in general

Yov haue declared the foure principall partes of Christian Doctrine: I desire to know, if there be any thing else to learne?

Master. The necessarie thinges to bee knowne, are those foure which I haue already shewed you. But there be some other things profitable also, to the end we pretend of obtayning eternall saluation, to wit, Vertues and Vices, good workes and sinnes. For albeit wee haue spoken alreadie of these things in general, in the declaration of the Creede, and of the Commandements, yet it will be very profitable to speake of them more distinctly and in particular.

Scholar. Tell me then what is vertue?

Master. Vertue is a qualitie which is receiued in the soule, and maketh a man good. For as science maketh a man a good Philosopher, and art maketh one a good artificer: so vertue maketh a good man, and causeth him to doe that which is good, and that with facilitie, readinesse and perfection. Whereas hee that hath not vertue, though hee may sometimes do well, yet he shall not doe it without difficultie and imperfection, whereof to giue you some example, vertue is like to art, and practise. For you see one that hath art, to play on the Citerone or Lute, playeth both wel & with facilitie, although he neuer look vpō the strings, where as an other that hath not the art, or hath not practise, may well touch the strings, and make them sounde, but hee shall neither doe it readily nor so well. Euen so hee that hath the vertue (for example) of Temperance, fasted with great facilitie and cheerefulnesse, when it is needfull, and hee fasteth perfectly, expecting the conuenient houre, and eating meates appoynted, and once only, but he that hath not this vertue, or contrariwise is a glutton, it seemeth a death to him to fast, and if perhaps hee fast, he can not well expect the due houre of dinner, and after at night, in place of a drinking as the custome is, he will make so large a collation, as wanteth little of a supper.

Scholar. How manie vertues be there?

Master. The vertues are very manie: but the more principall, & to which all the rest are reduced, are seuen, to wit the three Theological, Faith, Hope, & Charitie, & foure Cardinall, Prudence, Iustice, Fortitude, & Temperance: & according to this number, there are seuen giftes of the Holie Ghost, and the Euangelical Beatitudes, which guide vs to the perfection of Christian life. There be also seuen workes of mercie corporall: & seuen spirituall. Of all which I will geue you a briefe instruction.