When I beheld this Picture of a _Boat_, (Which on the raging _Waves_ doth seeme to float) Forc’d onward, by the current of the Tide, Without the helpe of _Anchor_, _Oare_ or _Guide_, And, saw the _Motto_ there, which doth imply, That shee commits her selfe to _Destinie_; Me thinkes, this _Emblem_ sets out their estate, Who have ascribed ev’ry thing to _Fate_; And dreame, that howsoe’re the businesse goe, Their _Worke_, nor hinders, neither helpes thereto. The leaking _Ship_, they value as the sound: Hee that’s to hanging borne, shall ne’re bee drown’d; And, men to happinesse ordain’d (say these) May set their _Ship_ to float, as _Fate_ shall please. This _Fancie_, springing from a mis-beleeving Of God’s _Decrees_; and, many men deceiving, With shewes of _Truth_, both causeth much offence Against God’s _Mercies_, and his _Providence_; And brings to passe, that some to ruine runne, By their neglect of what they might have done. For, _Meanes_ is to bee us’d, (if wee desire, The blessing of our safetie to acquire) Whose naturall effects, if God deny, Vpon his _Providence_ wee must relye, Still practising what naturall aydes may bee, Vntill no likely ayd untride wee see. And, when this _Non plus_ wee are forc’d unto, _Stand still_, wee may, and wayt what God will do. Hee that shall thus to _Fate_, his fortunes leave, Let mee bee ruin’d, if Shee him deceive. _The best, and fairest =House=, to mee, Is that, where best I love to bee._ [Illustration: ΟΙΚΟΣ ΦΙΛΟΣ ΟΙΚΟΣ ΑΡΙΣΤΟΣ ILLVSTR. XIV. _Book. 4_]