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THe life of a good religious person ought to excell in all kind of ver∣tue, that he may be such a one inward∣ly to God, as he seemeth to be out wardly to men.
2 Yea for a good reason he should be better within then he appeares with∣out, for God beholdeth the heart, whom we ought highly to reverence, wheresoever we are, and walke in pu∣rity like Angels in his sight.
3 We ought every day to renew
our good intention, and stirre up our selves to fervour and devotion, as though this were the first time of our conversion, and say thus,
4 Helpe me O Lord my God in this my good purpose and in thy holy service, and give me grace this day to make a good entrance and beginning, for what I have done hitherto is to li∣tle purpose.
5 According to our purpose and good endavour you must judge of ones course and well doing, and he that will reape great commodity must be care∣full to use great diligence.
6 For if he that goeth on couragi∣ously findeth great rubbs in his way, how many will he finde that setteth forward, but seldome and uncertainly.
7 There be many things that cause us to leave our good intents, and the least omission of spirituall exercises, bringeth ••o litle hinderance to our soul••s.
8 The determinations of the just depend upon Gods grace, and not up∣on their owne wisdome, upon whom they alwaies relye, for whatsoever they take in hand.
9 For man doth propose but God doth dispose, neither is the way of man in his owne hands.
10 If usuall exercise be sometimes omitted either for piety towards God, or profit to my neighbour, it may easily afterwards be recovered againe.
11 But if out of a sloathful mind or carelesse negligence we for sake the same, it is a great offence against God, and very prejudiciall to our selves.
12 Let us doe the best we can, we shall faile in many things, yet let us al∣waies take some certaine course, and e∣specially against those vices which doe most of all molest us.
13 We must diligently search into and set in order both the outward and the inward man, because both of them are very necessary to our comming for∣ward in godlinesse.
14 If thou canst not continually call thy selfe to an account, yet doe it sometimes, at the least once a day, to wit, at morning or at night.
17 In the morning consider what thou intendest to doe, and at night ex∣amine thy selfe what thou hast done.
16 How thou hast behav'd thy
selfe in thought word and deed; for in these perhaps thou hast often offen∣ded both God and thy Neighbour.
17 Gird thy loines like am an a∣gainst the vile assaults of the Divell, bridle thy riotous appetite, and thou shalt be the better able to keepe under all the unruly motions of the flesh.
11 Be thou at no time idle alto∣gether but either reading or writing, or praying or meditating, or endeavouring some thing for the publique good.
19 As for bodily exercises they must be used with great discretion, nei∣ther are they to be practised of all men alike.
20 The exercises that are not com∣mon are not to be exposed to publique view; for things private are practised ••ore saf••ly at home.
21 Neverthelesse thou must be∣ware thou neglect not that which is common, and be more ready for pri∣vate occasions.
22 But having fully and faithfully accomplished all, thou ar•• bound and enjoyn'd to doe, if thou hast any spare time be take thee to thy selfe, as they de∣votion shall require.
23 All cannot use one kind of ex∣ercise, but one is more convenient for this person another for that accor∣ding to the diversity of times also, di∣verse exercises are fitting.
24 Some sutes better with us on working daies, other on holy daies, some we have need of in tempta∣tion, and of others in time of peace and quietnesse. Some we mind when we are pensive, and other some when we rejoyce in the Lord.
25 When chiefe festivals draw neere, good exercises are to be renewed and the praiers of holy men more fer∣vently to be implored.
26 From feast to feast we should think thus with our selves, as though we were then to depart out of this world, and to be made partakers of that everlasting feast in heaven.
27 Therefore ought we carefully to prepare our selves against such holy times, and lead our conversation so strictly as though we were shortly at God's hands to receive the reward of our labours.
28 But if our departure be defer∣red, let us think with our selves that we
are not sufficiently prepared, and un∣worthy yet of so great glory which shall be rev••aled to us in due time, and let us endeavour to prepare our selves more diligently to our end.
29 Blessed is that servant (saith S. Luke the Evandgelist) whom when his Lord cometh shall find him watching; verily I say unto you he shall make him Ruler over all his goods.