Multum in parvo: or, Some useful sayings, in verse and prose: collected by a lover of virtue and goodness in whomsoever.

TO work aright, O LORD, instruct thou me, That in THY Sight I may approved be: Then shall my Soul have Rest and Peace for ever, In THEE, which neither Death nor Hell can sever.

IT matters not, how I appear to Man, A Witness in my Soul there is, that can This record to the FATHER bear that I Seek not Mans praise, but Immortality: That so a Crown of Rest I may receive, Which Mortals have not in their Power to give.

If I yet pleased Men, I should not be the Servant of Christ.

THo' all the World my Actions discommend, I am at Peace, when Conscience is my friend.

And herein do I exercise my self, to have alwaies a Conscience void of offence, towards GOD and towards Man.

THe Glories of our Birth and State Are Shadows, not Substantial things; There is no Armour against sate, Death laies his Icy-hand on Kings; Scepter and Crown must tumble down, And in the Dust be equal made With the poor crooked Sythe and Spade; All heads must come to the cold Tomb Only the actions of the Just Smell sweet and blossom in the Dust.

Vivit post funera virtus, Virtue lives after Death.

ALL outward Honour is a Painted fable, The humble Man is truly honourable; Of virtues all there's none more wisht by me, Than that which graces all, Humility.

The greater thou art, the more humble thy self.

HOnour thy Parents to prolong thy end, With them, tho' for a Truth, do not contend; Tho' all should Truth defend, do thon lose rather The Truth a while, than lose their Loves for ever.

Honour thy Father, and forget not the Sorrows of thy Mother, Eccl. 7.27.

AS GODS dear See d, to learn give heed, That when thy Head is hoary; Wisdom may be a Crown to thee Transcending Earthly Glory.

Thy Peace and Rest, from GODS own Breast, Then Death, nor Hell, shall sever: But thou shall see, thy Joys shall be Amen in HIM for ever.

The Wise in Heart shall inherit Glory, but shame shall be the Promotion of Fools, Prov. 3.35.

TRue virtue is a Coat of Mail, 'Gainst which no Weapons can prevail.

Virtus vera nobilitas. Virtue is true Nobility.

TRuth opprest we often see, But quite supprest it cannot be.

He left not himself without a Witness, Acts 14.17.

THink that is just, 'tis not enough to do, Unless thy very Thoughts are upright too; If well thou do'st, and well intend, Thou shalt be Crowned in the End.

Be thou faithful unto Death, that thou maist re∣ceive a Crown of Life.

THE surest Riches he shall gain, Who alwaies Faithful doth remain.

Tutum praesidium integritas. Honesty is the best Policy.

A Blessing will with him abide, That hath true Virtue for his Guide.

Blessings are upon the Head of the Just, Pro. 10.6.

NO Temper more Mans life doth bless, Than simple prudent harmlesness.

Hugo Grotius, a Man of Universal Learning and profound Policy, said, I would give all my Learning and Honour, for the plain Integrity and harmless Innocency of Jean Vtrick.

ABove thy Knowledg do not rise, But with Sobriety be wise.

Quae supra nos, nihil ad nos. Those things that are above us, are nothing to us.

WHat matter is it, Man, for thee to know The reason, why the Sea doth Ebb and Flow; Or what course the variable Moon doth steer, Or how the Sun doth run throughout the year; It is thy Wisdom, and would better please, To fear thy MAKER, than to know all these.

The fear of the LORD is the instruction of Wis∣dom, Prov. 15.33.

HE that Commands himself is more a Prince, Than he who Nations keeps in Awe; And they that yield to what their Souls convince, Shall never need another Law.

The word is nigh thee, in thy Mouth, and in thy Heart, to obey it and do it. Ro. 10.8. Deu. 30.14.

HE's still himself, when company is gone, Too well employ'd ever to be alone; He takes no thought to be observ'd or seen, Whil'st all his Acts are eccho'd from within.

Ama te nesciri & pro nihilo reputari; Love to be unknown and nothing accounted.

HE dares not wish, nor his own fate propound, But if GOD send, reads love in every wound; And would not lose, for all the joys of sense, The inward comfort of Obedience.

Remember Abraham, the Father of all the Faithful.

Who with their present State are not content, Oft worser find for their just punishment.

The Murmuring Israelites are a dreadful Monitor. Content's the Crown of Earthly Happiness.

OPinion is the rate of things, rom whence our peace doth flow;

I have a better fate than Kings, Because I think it so.

Animus omnia facit. The mind does all.

WHen all the stormy World doth roar, How unconcern'd am I: I cannot fear to tumble lower, Who never would be high.

The lowliest mind is safest.

HAppy that Soul that is content alone, And needs no entertainment, but its own.

Nunquam minus solus, quam cum solus; Never less alone, than when alone.

AT length this secret I have learn'd, Who will be happy must be unconcern'd; Must all their Comfort in their bosom wear, And seek their Treasure, and their Power there.

We have this Treasure in Earthen Vessels, 2 Cor. 4.7.

FLy Tales and Rumours, lest of News The Inventer thou be thought, For Silence seldom hurts a man, But Speech much harm hath wrought.

Vir sapit, qui pauca loquitur: That man is wise that speaks little.

AGainst thy Friend with force of Words, Strive not in any wise; Sometimes of Words (which are but Wind) Great Controversies rise.

Beati pacifici; Blessed are the Peace-makers.

WHat faults thou find'st in other men Let not be found in thee, Great shame in him that Vice reproves, Himself not to be free.

Tis bad, when Vice corrects Sin.

TO carp at others words, let not thy Wit be ill apply'd, Lest by thine own Example taught, another thee deride.

He that keepeth his Tongue, keepeth his Soul from troubles, Prov. 21.23.

IF with a Stranger thou discourse, first learn By strictest observation to discern, If he be wiser than thy self: if so, Be dumb, and rather choose by him to know; But if perchance thy self the wiser be, Then do thou speak, that he may learn by thee.

Refrain not to speak, when there is an opportunity to do good, Eccl. 4.23.

SAge Counsel from thy Servants mouth Disdain not to respect, Nor any man's advice, that may Thy proper good effect.

Fas est & ab hoste doceri.

'Tis fit to learn even of an Enemy.

IN all thy actions have a care, That no unseemliness appear.

Abstain from all appearance of Evil.

A Thankful heart hath earn'd one favour twice: But he that is ungrateful wants no vice.

Si ingratum dixeris, omnia dixeris. Say a Man's ungrateful, and you say all.

LET not Anger cause thee to reveal, What Love and Friendship caus'd thee to conceal.

A Tale-bearer revealeth secrets: but he that ii of a faithful Spirit, concealeth a matter, Prov. 11.13.

ONce reconcil'd rip not up the wrongs of former daies, Old Sores to rub, and Wrath to move, a wicked Mind bewrays.

He that ruleth his Tongue shall live without strife; and he that hateth babbling shall have less Evil, Eccl. 19.6.

BY Slanders we arrive to high Renown, The greatest crosses win the greatest Crown.

Many are the troubles of the Righteous, but the LORD delivers them out of all, Psal. 34.19.

TAke well what e're shall fall, tho' bad it be, Take it for good, and 'twill be so to thee.

Quod sis, esse velis. Will to be, what thou art.

THat's Friendship, and true Love indeed, Which firmly bides in time of need.

Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur; A sure Friend is known in a doubtful matter.

SUre is that knot which true Religion ties; And Love that's rightly grounded never dies.

Witness Jonathan and David.

HE that enjoys a Patient mind, Can Comfort in Afflictions find. It gently sweetens every Bitter Cup, And calms tempestuous storms, when they are up.

In Patience possess ye your Souls. Prudens qui patiens; He is wise that is patient.

BE well advis'd and wary Councel take, E're thou dost any resolution make. Deliberandum est diu, quod statuendum est semel. Consider long of that, which is but once to be done.

TO gather Wealth through Fraud do not presume, A little evil got doth often much consume. Male parta male dilabuntur. Ill got, ill spent.

SPare not, nor spend too much, be this thy Care, Spare thou to spend, and only spend to Spare: Who spends too much may want and so complain, But he spends best, that spares to spend again. Prodigality and Coveteousness are both to be abhorr'd.

SPare for no cost when time shall serve, And cause require the same; For what is better spent than spar'd, Adds to an honest name. Fac sumptum propere, &c. Be not sparing, when need requires.

USe what thou hast in doing good, But see thou make no wast; Who vainly spend their own and want, Seek other Mens at last. Better to prevent, than repent.

THings needful then they cannot want, That cutb their vain desires: And measure their expence with what Necessity requires. Natura paucis contenta. Nature is Content with sew things.

ONe special note of blessedness, Is riches to deny; Which whoso covets to ingross, Lives alwaies beggerly. Avarus semper eget. A Covetous Man is alwaies in want.

THe Worlds a snare, I find, unto an honest mind, And O how few there be, who from that snare are free! From which LORD save all thine which trust in THEE. No Tongue, nor Pen, unless the heart be pure, Availeth any thing, nor can procure Peace to the Soul, Ah! nothing ever can, Without a good Life, make a happy Man; Then, Soul of mine, since this must needs be true, See that thou labour all Sin to subdue. What signifie good Words, unless they rise From Love? 'tis Love alone that makes us wise; Soul, love thy GOD, let it be seen in this, Thou never Think, nor Speak, nor Do Amiss.

Say, — Soul of Mine;

HAs not thy experience prov'd, What ev'r thou hast over-lov'd, Thou thereby hast injur'd been, Hast thou not thy error seen? Is there any thing below GOD himself, that thou canst bow, Or bend thy Mind to with delight, And be approved in his sight? Approv'd in his sight, who is? That so fondly acts amiss? Then tell me, is't not time for thee By experience Wise to be? What Joy or Comfort canst thou find, In things uncertain as the Wind, No Joy, but in a prudent Mind? A prudent Mind can never be, Injurious I am sure to thee; Why then, my Soul, come bid adiew, To all that comes within thy view: Seeming Comforts but not true. Look upon them as they are, Do not let them prove a Snare: Soul, bid all empty Joys be gone, And joy thou in thy GOD alone. Thy GOD alone the Author is Of everlasting Joy and Bliss: Thy GOD alone can give thee this.

TRoubles here attend us must, Until we return to Dust; They'r intended for our good, Were they rightly understood. By experience this I find, They cannot hurt a prudent Mind; Then, Soul of mine, do not be Vext, when Troubles come on thee, HE that sends them, HE can best Remove them and give ease, and rest. Rest thou contented with thy lot, Good is GODS will, is it not? Troubles here and exercise Are good for thee to make thee wise; Heavier they shall not be, Than thy GOD sees good for thee. Good I am sure for thee it is, To reckon, nothing comes amiss: Be content, and thou shall see, Nothing comes amiss to thee.

Judge Hales on Changes and Troubles, Contemp. p. 380.

PEace, way ward Soul, let not those various storms, Which hourly fill the World with fresh Alarms, Invade thy Peace, nor discompose that rest, Which thou maist keep untouch'd within thy Breast.

Amidst those Whirl-winds, if thou keep but free Thy intercourse betwixt thy GOD and thee; This Region lyes above these storms, and know Thy thoughts are Earthly, and they creep too low; If these can reach thee, or access can find, To bring, or raise, like tempests in thy mind. But yet in these disorders something lies, That's worth thy notice, out of which the wise May trace, and find that just and powerful hand, That secretly, but surely, doth command. And manage these distempers with that skill, That while they seem to cross, they act, his Will. Observe that Silver thred, that steers and bends The worst of all disorders to such ends, That speak his Justice, Goodness, Providence, Who closely guides it by his Influence; And tho' these Storms be loud, yet listen well, There is another Message that they tell. This World is not thy Country, 'tis thy Way: Too much Contentment would invite thy stay Too long upon thy journey, make it strange, Unwelcome news, to think upon a change. Whereas this tugged entertainment send Thy thoughts before thee, to thy journies end; Chides thy desires homeward, and tells thee plain, To think of resting here, it is but vain. Makes thee to set an equal estimate On this uncertain World, and a just rate On that to come, it bids thee wait and stay, Until thy MASTER call, ond then with joy To entertain it: Such a Change as this Renders thy loss, thy gain; improves thy bliss.

Judge Hales Contempl. p. 121.

LET him that will ascend the tottering Seat Of Courtly Grandeur, and become as great As are his mounting wishes; as for me, Let sweet Repose and Rest my Portion be; Give me some mean obscure Recess, a Sphere Out of the Road of Business, or the fear Of falling lower; where I sweetly may My self and dear Retirement still enjoy. Let not my Life or Name be known unto The Grandees of the Times, tost to and fro By Censures or Applause, but let my Age Slide gently by, not over-thwart, the Stage Of Publick Action, unheard, unseen, And unconcern'd, as if I ne'r had been. And thus whilst I shall pass my silent daies In shady privacy, free from the noise And bustles of the World; then shall I A good Old Innocent Plebeian die. Death is a mere Surprize, a very Snare To him that makes it his lifes greatest care To be a Publick Pageant, known to all, But unacquainted with himself, doth fall.

There's no such thing as Pleasure here, 'Tis all a perfect Cheat, Which doth but shine and disappear; Whose Charm is but Deceit: Th' Experienc'd Prince then reason had, Who said of Pleasure, it is mad. I said of Laughter, it is mad, and of Mirth, what doth it. Eccl. 2.2.

On Man's Mortality.

LIKE as the Damask Rose you see, Or like the Blossom on the Tree, Or like the dainty Flower in May, Or like the Morning to the Day, Or like the Sun, or like the Shade, Or like the Gourd which Jonas had. Even such is Man whose Thred is Spun, Drawn out and cut, and so is done. The Rose withers, the Blossom blasteth, The Flower fades, the Morning hasteth, The Sun sets, the Shadow flies, The Gourd consumes, and Man he dies.

Like to the Grass that's newly sprung, Or like a Tale that's new begun, Or like the Bird that's here to day, Or like the Pearly dew of May, Or like an Hour, or like a Span, Or like the Singing of a Swan. Even such is Man who lives by Breath, Is here, now there, in Life and Death: The Grass withers, the Tale is ended, The Bird is flown, the Dew's ascended, The Hour is short, the Span not long, The Swan's near Death, Man's life is done.

Like to the Bubble in the Brook, Or in a Glass much like a look, Or like the Shuttle in Weavers hand, Or like the Writing on the Sand,

Or like a Thought, or like a Dream, Or like the gliding of the Stream: Even such is Man who lives by Breath, Is here, now there, in Life and Death. The Bubble's out, the Look's forgot, The Shuttle's flung, the Writing's blot, The Thought is past, the Dream is gone, The Water glides, Man's Life is done.

Like to an Arrow from the Bow, Or like swift course of Watery flow, Or like the time 'twixt Flood and Ebb, Or like the Spider's tender Webb, Or like a Race, or like a Goal, Or like the dealing of a Dole: Even such is Man, whose brittle State Is alwaies subject unto Fate. The Arrow's shot, the Flood soon spent, The Time no Time, the Webb's soon rent, The Race soon run, the Goal soon won, The Dole soon dealt, Man's life is done.

Like to the Lightning from the Skie, Or like the Post that quick doth hie, Or like a Quaver in short Song, Or like a Journy three daies long, Or like the Pear, or like the Plum, Or like the Snow when Summer's come: Even such is Man who heaps up sorrow, Lives but this day, and dies to morrow. The Lightning's past, the Post must go, The Song is short, the Journy's so,

The Pear doth rot, the Plumb doth fall, The Snow dissolves, and so must all.

It is appointed for all men once to die; and after that the Judgment.

Memor esto brevis aevi: Be thou mindful of thy short Life.

FArewel, poor World, I must be gon, Thou art no home, no rest for me: I'le take my Staff, and travel on, 'Till I a better World may see.

Now we desire a better Country, that is an Heaven∣ly, for we look for another City which hath Founda∣tions, whose Builder and Maker is GOD.

HElp me my GOD, O let me find That noble Fortitude of mind, Not to be shak'd with every puff of Wind! With every puff of Wind let me Be driven nearer unto THEE; Else, Holy GOD, How can I happy be? How can I happy be indeed, 'Till joyned to that Holy Seed, That makes man happy when he has most need? Need, LORD, thou knows I have of THEE To kill the Root of Sin in me, LORD, let the Root of Sin consumed be: Consumed be, destroyed quite, That Spotless I may in THY sight Appear, and THOU in me mai'st take delight.