A manuali [sic] of divine considerations delivered and concluded by ... Thomas White ; translated out of the original Latine copie.

23. Meditation. Of the Observation of Order and Discipline.

1. COnsider, that those things which are constituted of number, whatsoever it be, and whe∣ther it be found to proceed from God, or men, the form and essence of them all is order. From whence it comes to passe, that he that touch∣eth but one link of order, shaketh the whole chain of the body. Now the order of a Community is the observance of the Rules and Ordi∣nances.

2. Again, other goods, as those of Vertue, Science, and the rest, are in themselves but particular goods, and of their own nature to be effected in singular persons, and but by accident in more; onely Or∣der of it self is the good of the whole Community. Besides, whatsoever

is in the Community, it, either alto∣gether, or as far at least as it is com∣mon, proceedeth from order, or by means of that it is perfected.

3. Adde to these, how a little er∣rour encreaseth in any good by rea∣son of the Community. Dost thou lose one quarter of an houre? in a Community it is so many houres, as there are four Persons numbred in it. Dost thou take away one dish of a halfpeny? it increaseth sudden∣ly unto pounds. What should I but adde, how a Community is for the most part neither of a certain number, nor a limited time? Into what an infinite mischief therefore doth a little, and an errour in the beginning as it were contempti∣ble, spring forth on a sudden, if the least liberty or oppression be brought in?

4. Then weigh, if any one either by example, or other occasion doth hurt to a Community, of how great a discommodity is he bound to the restitution, when as out of justice,

the superiour is obliged to command order to be kept, and the inferiour is bound to observe it: for Order of it self is the proper object of publick justice, and who concurreth to the fact, is obliged to the whole da∣mage.

Conclude, if thou art a superiour, to take care that Order be observed with all rigour; and if thou art in∣feriour, to be watchfull, as far as it lies upon thy part, that discipline be not neglected: if a mitigation be at any time to be made, to use it so, that it passe not either for an exam∣ple, or scandall to discipline, and but rarely to think the same necessa∣ry, and to admit it with great wari∣ness, and to put more confidence in the judgement of thy superiour, then in thy own, and at all times to fear thy own inconstancy.