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MEDITATION I.
THe World is an imperious Mistress, who makes those most uneasie that are fondest of her. Which hath induced several to prefer Retirement before Greatness and Splendor in the World, after they have found the emptyness of all those things, which men commonly make their Idols. Providence having con∣trived it so wisely, that whosoever hath a wrong aim in point of happiness, is sooner or latter made sensible of his having missed the mark: All the mischief cometh from misplacing our affections, and from not bestowing a true value upon the things we are in pursuit after. If we remembred the, Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven, we would soon find fullfilled the, All things shall be added unto you. Since a hearty concern for a future Life, would make us look with so much contempt upon the trifles of this World, that we would hardly ever disquiet our selves with the desire of any thing, that is not added to us already. But such a Resignation to Providence requireth perhaps more Re∣ligion than is commonly met with in men. However we all pretend to reason, and those that are not totally deprived of the right use of reason, will own that they have an immortal Soul, and that consequently the securing Eternity to the Soul, is not on∣ly the most important business, but that without the hopes of it, our mind will not be free from grudgings very injurious to its quiet and contentment, which influences the health of our Body very much. So that reason should tell every man, he must look after Heaven, if he will enjoy happiness upon Earth, which cannot subsist, without health in the Body and tranquility in the Mind. Gods goodness as well as wisdom having ordered it so, that the interest of Body, Mind, and Soul is so closely united to∣gether, that a concern for the Soul brings us to the observing of our Saviours Rules, and practising of those vertues, whereby the vigour of our Body and the contentment of our Minds is promoted; and on the other hand, managing the Body according to the Precepts of Temperance and Sobriety, strengthens our Understanding, and inables it to descry in Nature and Providence, those glorious Beams of Wisdome and Goodness, which cannot chose but inflame our desires of obtaining the favour of that infinite perfect Being Which desire, if it be sincere and earnest, is half way towards our Souls home. This consideration alone should be enough to keep any rational man from bestowing any more value upon the Goods and Pleasures of this World, than is consistent with a due care of the next. Which if they did, they would not be weary of Earth before they are fitted for Heaven, and even Earthly pleasures of Body as well as of mind, would be more real, more lasting, and more easily attained. They would not be at a loss where to find retirement and quiet. For in my opinion it is not changing of City or Court for the Country, wherein a quiet Retirement consists, because in the greatest Solitude, and most concealed Recess our mind may be hurried about with restless passions and desires; on the other hand, neither the noise of the City nor the hurry of the Court, can dis∣compose a temper well settled by not depending upon uncertainties, but intirely rely∣ing on Gods Providence, which designs nothing but good for us. Though it cannot be denyed, that every body is not strong enough to resist the temptations of City and Court, which wheedle us into wrong courses.