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1. IT is the highest wisdome by despising the world to arrive at heaven: for they are blessed whose daily exercise it is to converse with God by Prayer and Obe∣dience, by Love and Patience.
2. It is the extremest folly to labour for that which will bring torment in the end, and no satisfaction in the little en∣joyment
of it: to be unwearied in the •…•…ursuit of the world, and to be soon tir'd 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whatsoever we begin to do for Christ.
3. Watch over thy self, counsel thy self, •…•…prove thy self, censure thy self, and •…•…dge thy self impartially: whatever thou •…•…ost to others, do not neglect thy self. •…•…or every man profits so much as he does •…•…iolence to himself.
4. They that follow their own sensu∣•…•…lity, stain their Consciences, and lose the •…•…race of God: but he that endevours to •…•…lease God, whatever he suffers, is be∣•…•…ved of God. For it is not a Question, Whether we shall or shall not suffer? but, Whether we shall suffer for God, or for the world? whether we shall take pains 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Religion, or in sin, to get heaven, or to get riches?
5. What availeth knowledge without •…•…he fear of God? A humble ignorant man 〈◊〉〈◊〉 better then a proud scholar, who stu∣•…•…ies natural things, and knows not him∣self. The more thou knowest, the more grievously thou shalt be judged: Many get no profit by their labour, because they •…•…ontend for knowledge, rather then for •…•…oly life; and the time shall come, when •…•…t shall more avail thee to have subdu'd •…•…ne lust, then to have known all mysteries.
6. No man truly knows himself, but he groweth daily more contemptible in his own eyes; desire, not to be known, and to be little esteem'd of by men.
7. If all be well within, nothing can hurt us from without: for from inordinate love and vain fear, comes all unquietness of spirit, and distraction of our senses.
8. He to whom all things are one, who draweth all things to one, and seeth all things in one, may enjoy true peace and rest of spirit.
9. It is not much business that distracts any man, but the want of purity, constan∣cy, and tendency towards God. Who hinders thee more then the unmortified desires of thine own heart? As soon as ever a man desires any thing inordinately, he is presently disquieted in himself. He that hath not wholly subdued himself, is quickly tempted and overcome in small and trifling things. The weak in spirit is he that is in a manner subject to his appe∣tite, and he quickly falls into indignation, and contention, and envy.
10. He is truly great, that is great in Charity, and little in himself.
11. WEE rather often believe and speak evil of others, then good. But they that are truly virtuous, do not easily credit evil that is told them of their neighbors. For if others may do •…•…miss, then may these also speak amiss. Man is frail and prone to evil, and there∣fore may soon fail in words.
12. Be not rash in thy proceedings, nor confident and pertinacious in thy conceits. But consult with him that is wise, and seek to be instructed by a better then thy self.
13. The more humble and resign'd we are to God, the more prudent we are in our affairs to men, and peaceable in our •…•…elves.
14. The proud and the covetous can never rest.
15. Be not asham'd to be, or to be e∣steem'd poor in this world: for he that hears God teaching him, will finde that it is the best wisdome to withdraw all our
affections from secular honour, and trou∣blesome riches, and to place them upon eternal treasures, and by patience, by hu∣mility, by suffering scorn and contempt, and all the will of God, to get the true riches.
16. Be not proud of well-doing; for the judgement of God is farre differing from the judgement of men.
17. Lay not thine heart open to every one, but with the wise, and them that fear God. Converse not much with yong peo∣ple and strangers. Flatter not the rich, neither do thou willingly or lightly ap∣pear before great personages. Never be partaker with the persecutors.
18. It is easier, and safer, and more pleasant to live in obedience, then to be at our own disposing.
19. Alwayes yield to others when there is cause; for that is no shame, but honour: but it is shame to stand stiff in a foolish or weak argument or resolution.
20. The talk of worldly affairs hindreth much, although recounted with a fair in∣tention: we speak willingly, but seldome return to silence.
21. WAtch and pray, lest your time pass without profit or fruit. But devout discourses do greatly further our spirituall progress, if persons of one minde and spirit be gathered together in God.
22. We should enjoy more peace, if we did not busie our selves with the words and deeds of other men, which appertain not to our charge.
23. He that esteems his progress in Re∣ligion to consist in exterior Observan∣ces, his devotion will quickly be at an end. But to free our selves of passions, is to lay the axe at the root of the tree, and the true way of peace.
24. It is good that we sometimes be con∣tradicted, and ill thought of, and that we alwayes bear it well, even when we deserve to be well spoken of: perfect peace and security cannot be had in this world.
25. All the Saints have profited by tri∣bulations; and they that could not bear
temptations, became reprobates, and fell from God.
26. Think not all is well within, when all is well without; or that thy being pleas'd, is a sign that God is pleas'd: but suspect every thing that is prosperous, un∣less it promotes Piety, and Charity, and Humility.
27. Do no evil, for no interest, and to please no man, for no friendship, and for no fear.
28. God regards not how much we do, but from how much it proceeds. He does much that loves much.
29. Patiently suffer that from others, which thou canst not mend in them, un∣till God please to do it for thee; and remember that thou mend thy self, since thou art so willing others should not of∣fend in any thing.
30. Every mans virtue is best seen in adversity and temptation.
•…•…. BEgin every day to repent, not that thou shouldst at all defer it, or stand the door, but because all that is past •…•…aght to seem little to thee; because it is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in it self: begin the next day with the •…•…me zeal and the same fear, and the same •…•…umility, as if thou hadst never begun •…•…efore.
32. A little omission of any usual ex∣•…•…cise of piety, cannot happen to thee •…•…ithout some loss and considerable detri∣•…•…ent, even though it be upon a •…•…erable cause.
33. Be not slow in common and usual •…•…cts of Piety and Devotion, and quick •…•…nd prompt at singularities: but having •…•…rst done what thou art bound to, pro∣•…•…eed to counsels and perfections, and the •…•…xtraordinaries of Religion, as you see •…•…ause.
34. He that desires much to hear news, •…•…s never void of passions, and secular de∣ires, and adherencies to the world.
35. Complain not too much of hin•…•… drances of Devotion: if thou let me•…•… alone, they will let you alone: and if yo•…•… desire not to converse with them, let the•…•… know it, and they will not desire to con∣verse with thee.
36. Draw not to thy self the affai•…•… of others, neither involve thy self in th•…•… suits and parties of great personages.
37. Know that if any trouble happen to thee, it is what thou hast deserved, and therefore brought upon thy self. But i•…•… any comfort come to thee, it is a gift of God, and what thou didst not deserve. And remember, that oftentimes when th•…•… body complains of trouble, it is not so much the greatness of trouble, as little∣ness of thy spirit, that makes thee to complain.
38. He that knows ow to suffer a•…•… thing for God, that desires heartily th•…•… will of God may be done in him; th•…•… studies to please others rather then him∣self; to do the will of his superior, not his own; that chooseth the least portio•…•… and is not greedy for the biggest; th•…•… takes the lowest place, and does not mu•…•… secretly: he is in the best conditio•…•… and state of things.
39. Let no man despair of mercy 〈◊〉〈◊〉
•…•…ccess, so long as he hath life and health.
40. Every man must pass through fire •…•…nd water, before he can come to re∣•…•…eshment.
41. SOon may a man lose that by negli∣gence, which hath by much labour, •…•…nd a long time, and a mighty grace scarce∣•…•…y been obtain'd. And what shall be∣come of us before night, who are weary •…•…o early in the morning? Woe be to that man who would be at rest, even when he •…•…ath scarcely a footstep of holiness ap∣pearing in his conversation.
42. So think, and so do, as if thou wert •…•…o die to day, and at night to give an ac∣count of thy whole life.
43. Beg not a long life, but a good one: for length of dayes oftentimes pro∣longs the evil, and augments the guilt. It were well if that little time we live, we would live well.
44. Entertain the same opinions and thoughts of thy sin and of thy present state, as thou wilt in the dayes of sorrow. Thou wilt then think thy self very mi∣serable and very foolish, for neglecting one hour, and one day of thy salvation: Think so now, and thou wilt be more pro∣vident of thy time and of thy talent. For there will a time come, when every care∣less man shall desire the respite of one hour for Prayer and Repentance, and I know not who will grant it. Happy is he that so lives, that in the day of death he rejoyces, and is not amazed.
45. He that would die comfortably, may serve his ends by first procuring to himself a contempt of the world, a fer∣vent desire of growing in grace, love of discipline, a laborious repentance, a prompt obedience, self-deniall, and toleration of every cross accident for the love of Christ, and a tender Charity.
46. While thou art well, thou mayest do much good, if thou wilt; but when thou art sick, neither thou nor I can tell, what thou shalt be able to do. It is not very much, nor very good: Few men mend with sickness, as there are but few who by travell and a wandring life become de∣vout.
47. Be not troubled, nor faint in the •…•…ours of mortification, and the austeri∣es of Repentance: for in Hell, one •…•…ur is more intolerable then a hundred •…•…ars in the house of Repentance: and •…•…y, for if thou canst not endure God pu∣•…•…shing thy follies gently, for a while, to •…•…end thee, how wilt thou endure his •…•…ngeance for ever to undo thee?
48. In thy Prayers wait for God, and •…•…ink not every hearty Prayer can procure •…•…ery thing thou askest. These things •…•…hich the Saints did not obtain without •…•…any Prayers, and much labour, and a •…•…ower of tears, and a long protracted •…•…archfulness, and industry, do thou ex∣•…•…ct also in its own time, and by its usuall •…•…easures. Do thou valiantly, and hope •…•…nfidently, and wait patiently, and thou •…•…alt finde thou wilt not be deceived.
49. Be careful thou dost not speak a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in thy Prayers, which though not ob∣•…•…ved, is frequently practis'd by careless •…•…fons, especially in the forms of •…•…sion, affirming things which they have •…•…t thought, professing sorrow which is •…•…t, making a vow they mean not.
50. If thou meanest to be devout, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 enlarge thy Religion, do it rather by •…•…creasing thy ordinary devotions, then
thy extraordinary. For if they be not regular, but come by chance, they will not last long. But if they be added to your ordinary offices, or made to be daily, thy spirit will by use and custome be made tender, and not willing to go less.
51. HE is a truly charitable and good man, who when he receives in∣juries, grieves rather for the malice of him that injures him, then for his own suffer∣ing; who willingly prayes for him that wrongs him, and from his heart forgives all his faults; who stayes not, but quick∣ly asks pardon of others for his errors or mistakes; who sooner shews mercy then anger; who thinks better of others then himself; who offers violence to his appe∣tite, and in all things endevours to subdue the flesh to the spirit. This is an excellent abbreviature of the whole duty of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christian.
52. No man can have felicity in two •…•…ates of things; if he takes it in God •…•…ere, in him he shall have it hereafter, for God will last for ever. But if he takes •…•…licity in things of this world, where will •…•…is felicity be when this world is done? •…•…ither here alone, or hereafter must be •…•…hy portion.
53. Avoid those things in thy self, •…•…hich in others do most displease thee. And remember, that as thine eye observes •…•…thers, so art thou observed by God, by Angels, and by Men.
54. He that puts his confidence in God •…•…nely, is neither overjoyed in any great good thing of this life, nor sorrowful for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 little thing. Let God be thy love and •…•…hy fear, and he also will be thy salvation •…•…nd thy refuge.
55. Do not omit thy Prayers for want of a good oratory or place to pray in, •…•…or thy duty for want of temporal 〈◊〉〈◊〉. For he that does both upon Gods account, cares not how or what he •…•…uffers, so he suffer well, and be the friend of Christ; nor where nor when he prayes, so he may do it frequently, fervently, and acceptably.
56. Very often remember and medi∣tate upon the wound and stripes, the
shame and the pain, the death and the bu∣rial of our Lord Jesus; for nothing will more enable us to bear our cross patiently injuries charitably, the labour of Religio•…•… comfortably, and censuring words and de∣tractions with meekness and quietness.
57. Esteem not thy self to have pro∣fited in Religion, unless thou thinkest well of others, and meanly of thy self: There∣fore never accuse any but thy self, and be that diligently watches himself, will be willing enough to be silent concerning others.
58. It is no great matter to live loving∣ly with good natur'd, with humble, and meek persons: but he that can do so with the froward, with the wilful, and the ig∣norant, with the peevish and perverse, he onely hath true charity: alwayes remem∣bring, that our true solid peace, the peace of God, consists rather in complying with others, then in being complied with, in suffering and forbearing, rather then in contention and victory.
59. Simplicity in our intentions, and purity of affections, are the two wings of a soul investing it with the robes and resemblances of a Seraphim. Intend the honour of God principally and sincerely, and mingle not thy affections with any
•…•…reature, but in just subordination to God, and to Religion, and thou shalt have •…•…oy, if there be any such thing in this •…•…orld. For there is no joy but in God, •…•…nd no sorrow but in an evil Consci∣ence.
60. Take not much care what, or who is •…•…or thee, or against thee. The judgement of •…•…one is to be regarded, if Gods judgement be otherwise. Thou art neither better nor worse in thy self, for any account that is made of thee by any but by God alone: •…•…ecure that to thee, and he will secure •…•…ll the rest.
61. BLessed is he that understands what it is to love Jesus, and con∣tends earnestly to be like him. Nothing else can satisfie, or make us perfect. Bu•…•… be thou a bearer of his Cross, as well as a lover of his Kingdome. Suffer tribu∣lation for him, or from him, with the same spirit thou receivest consolation:
follow him as well for the bitter Cup of his Passion, as for the Loaves; and remember, that if it be a hard saying, Take up my Cross and follow me, it is a harder saying, Go ye Cursed into Everlasting fire.
62. No man can alwayes have the same spirituall pleasure in his Prayers: For the greatest Saints have sometimes suffered the banishment of the heart; sometimes are fervent, sometimes they feel a barrenness of Devotion: for this Spirit comes and goes. Rest therefore onely in God, and in doing thy duty: and know, That if thou beest overjoy∣ed to day, this houre will passe away, and temptation and sadnesse will suc∣ceed.
63. In all afflictions, seek rather for Patience then for Comfort. If thou preservest that, this will return. Any man would serve God, if he felt plea∣sure in it alwayes; but the virtuous does it, when his Soul is full of hea∣vinesse, and regards not himselfe, but God, and hates that consolation that lessens his compunction; but loves any thing, whereby he is made more hum∣ble.
64. That which thou doest not un∣derstand
when thou readest, thou shalt •…•…nderstand in the day of thy visitation: •…•…or there are many secrets of Religion, •…•…hich are not perceived till they be felt, •…•…nd are not felt but in the day of a great •…•…alamity.
65. He that prayes, despairs not. But •…•…ad is the condition of him that cannot •…•…ray. Happy are they that can and do, and •…•…ove to do it.
66. He that will be blessed in his Prayers, must make his Prayers his Rule. All our duty is there set down, because in all our duty, we beg the Divine Af•…•…sistance: and remember, that you are •…•…ound to do all those duties, for the Divine of which you have prayed for the Divine Assistance.
67. Be doing actions of Religion as often as thou canst, and thy worldly pleasures as seldome, that if thou beest surprised by sudden death, it may be oddes but thou mayest be taken at thy Prayers.
68. Watch, and resist the Devil in all his Temptations and Snares: His chief designes are these; To hinder thy desire in good; to put thee by from any Spirituall employment, from Prayers especially, from the Meditation of the
Passion, from the remembrance of thy sins, from humble Confession of them, from speedy Repentance, from the cu∣stody of thy Senses and of thy Heart, from firm purposes of growing in Grace, from reading good Books, and frequent receiving the Holy Sacrament. It is all one to him, if he deceives thee by a lie, or by truth; whether he amaze or trouble thee, by love of the present, or fear of the future: Watch him but in these things, and there will be no part left unarmed, in which he can wound thee.
69. Remember how the proud have fallen, and they who have presumed up∣on their own strength have been dis∣graced; and that the boldest and greatest talkers in the dayes of peace, have been the most dejected and pusillanimous in the day of temptation.
70. No man ought to think he hath found peace, when nothing troubles him; or that God loves him, because he hath no enemy; nor that all is well, because every thing is according to his minde; nor that he is a holy person, be∣cause he prayes with great sweetness and comfort: But he is at peace, who is re∣conciled to God; and God loves him,
•…•…hen he hath overcome himself; and •…•…ll is well, when nothing pleases him but God, being thankful in the midst of his •…•…fflictions; and he is holy, who when •…•…e hath lost his comfort, loses nothing of his duty, but is still the same, when God changes his face towards him.