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SInce I am not so good as I should be; nay nor so good as I would be; nay nor so willing to be good as I should be; it is rea∣sonable for me to wish well to it. There may be a wish of impossibili∣ties, though there be not a will pro∣perly of them. And it seems to me so hard to come by any goodness, that it seems somewhat to have it in a wish. And yet he that is conten∣ted with what he hath of this,
hath none. Godliness, as the Apo∣stle saith (in his 1 Epistle to Tim. 6.6.) is great gain with contentedness; but not with a contentedness in god∣liness, but in gain. We shall never have enough of goodness untill we come into heaven.
And this goodness hath a necessa∣ry connexion with happiness; and therefore if we do apprehend it, how can we escape at least some velieties of it? For that which is necessary to our end, we desire upon the same account.
So that the subject of this paper is such that will please every one that is in the way of happiness. Nei∣ther is it therefore out of my way to commend it to others: for this will more impress it upon my self, that I may have some benefit by the operation, though others have no benefit by the work; as he said. Surely also this is the season with all of us of being good, when we have made
the times, as we call them, bad. Sin cometh alway too soon, alway un∣seasonably; Vertue neither: but in times of troubles and uncertainties, we have more necessities of this commoditie: and yet how much are we worse; because we are worse, and should be much better?
There is no time appointed for the commission of sinne; but pu∣nishments; and we have had them sorely upon us; and one would think we should now have less of sin, be∣cause we have had such a measure of punishments.
We have had opportunities of being richer, and some have ta∣ken them, and the water, which way soever it ran; although they have not quenched their thirst; and yet have drunk so much that it will not stay with them, but they must re∣fund.
We have had fair occasions of being wise and discreet, and prudent
to preserve our contentment; and have thought it fit not to be heart of Oak, but to be flexible and moveable with the windes: we have taken a full proportion of the wisdom of the Serpent, and more then will be al∣lowed with the innocency of the Dove. The Serpent hath too much beguiled the Dove.
We have had in these years vicis∣situdes many; variety of turns and changes, and are still rolling to the bottom; and yet what good turns have we had? what returns to God and that which is good? There is not such a point as Goodness in all our Compass.
We have had many complaints of hard and difficult, and afflictive and squeezing times; and we have been weary of our calamities over and over: but our sins are in full weight & number, and measure up∣on us; and we are not troubled with them. St. Paul groaned under the bur∣then
of sin, but gloried in afflicti∣ons: but we are contrary; for we groan under afflictions, and do rather glory in our shame. It is like S. Paul in that 7, chapter to the Romans doth speak of himself regenerated: for sin in state of nature is in us as in its proper place; and we do not feel it: And so it hath been with us. And whatsoever we have lost, we have kept this: we have loved it natural∣ly as ours.
We have had within the space of few years many books imprinted; wherein Civil causes and some Ec∣clesiastical causes have been tossed and agitated on this side and on that; that we might be setled in our dan∣gers, or moved to our former term: but have not found many books written to make us right spiritually; and to make us better; many good books; but how many of goodness? I hope more then I have seen: but more would be seen.
And yet if there were more, and seen, and read, and got by heart, yet how shall we get them into the heart? Oh, how odd and awk is the nature of man to this goodness! It will not come alone to us: yea when we are in a manner driven to it by cor∣rections, we are ready to run away from it, as if we could not be misera∣ble but with it.
And therefore I am afraid I shall not please all, because I shall speak for that which doth not. We do not like to hear of that we have no minde to follow: we are offended with it directly and by reflexion from others. And others are our enemies because we are not good; whereas we should not be enemies to others, though they be bad.
But this doth not make a reason∣able impediment of this little enter∣prise; for he that pleaseth all, hath no small danger of Christs woe; and of Gods curse for not pleasing one,
namely him: And notwithstand∣ing we have enemies, we should be encouraged; for we have the more to conquer, as one said.
And yet we have further encou∣ragement by St. Peter, 1 Pet. 1.13. And who is there that will hurt you, if you follow that which is good? Or shall we be harmed because we write of that which is good? May we do it, and not write it? This is spoken of in our own defence.
Had we taken in hand some thor∣nie business about the subject and change of Civil Power, we might have incurred some danger in way of right and righteousness: but since all the matter we would have is goodness, we have no cause to fear any but those who have no minde to think it to be necessary for them to be good, unless they can get some∣what by it in this life.
And if any one will conceive, that this is a Theme to meddle with
not for any but some of those who are a great deal better: I shall make my apology easily. With all my heart am I contented that others should goe before me in this conten∣tion. I would be willing to follow their steps in holiness, although in the order of the Church they go not that way, which more have gone to heaven in, then are like to do by any other.
But because I have nothing in me of goodness, I have more need to speak for it, upon my own appre∣hensions; neither can any one keep away from me this right and liberty of good options for my self and others. The time and utmost bound of goodness is to be in heaven. And to this pitch should every one ascend. And the ascent of this glory is by de∣grees of grace. This goodness is the milky way to Jupiters Palace. To strengthen you in it, take not this morning milk, but some morning me∣ditations.