any

private. Nevertheless care must be taken that thou be not backward to common duties; aud forward to private and perfonal ones; but after thou haft fully and faithfully perform'd thofe thou art oblig'd to, and that are enjoyn'd thee, if thou haft fpare time after that, betake thee to thy felf and thy own breaft again, and do juft as thy particular devotion fhall direct. All perfons cannot use one kind of exercife; but one is more convenient for this perfon, another for that. Again, different exercifes are liked according to the feasonablenefs and agreeableness of the time: Because some relish better upon holydays, others upon common days. Some we ftand in need of in a time of temptation, and others in a time of peace and quiet. One fort of thinking we are inclin'd to, when we are in heavinefs; and to another, when we are joyful in the Lord.

VI. About the time of the principal Festivals, we ought to renew our holy exercises and to raise up our fouls by more folemn acts of piety and devotion. From feast to feast we ought to make provision, as if we were

a

In the Original: And to implore the Interceffion of the Saints with more than ordinary fervency.

H 4

now

now upon the point of leaving this world, and of paffing to the eternal feaft. Therefore ought we carefully to prepare our felves at thefe holy times, and to converse more devoutly, and to be more ftrict in all our religious obfervances, as though we were fhortly at God's hands to receive the recom pence of our labours.

VII. And if it be deferred, let us think that we are not fufficiently prepared, and that we are as yet unworthy of the great glory that shall be revealed in as at the time appointed: And let us endeavour to prepare our felves better for our departure. Blessed is that fervant (faith the Evangelift St. Luke) whom his Lord, when he cometh, fhall find watching. Of a truth I fay unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

CHAP. XX.

Of the love of Solitude and Silence,

EEK a convenient time to retire and converfe with thy felf; and think

Rom. vi, 18.

c Ch. xii. 43, 44.

frequently

frequently of the benefits of GOD. Meddle not with nice curious matters: Read fuch things as are apt to touch thy heart, rather than to employ thy head. If thou couldst withdraw from unneceffary conferences, and idle gaddings about, as alfo from hearkening to news and running reports; thou wouldft find leisure and opportunity fuffici ent for exercifing and improving good and profitable meditations. The moft eminent Saints avoided company, as much as poffibly they could; and chofe rather to live to, and to ferve God in fecret.

II. A certain Philofopher faid: I never was in company with men, but I came out of it lefs a man than I went in. This we often experience when we converse long. It is easier for a man to keep filence altogether, than not to exceed in word. It is eafier to keep clofe at home, than to be fufficiently upon his guard abroad. The man therefore that intends to arrive at the inward and spiritual life, muft with Jefus withdraw from the multitude. No body appears fafely, but he that is hid gladly. No body talks fafely, but he that keeps filence willingly. No body governs fafely, but he that would be fubject contentedly. No man commands fafely, but he that has

throughly

throughly learnt to obey. No body rejoices fecurely, but he that has the testimony of a good confcience within him.

III. And yet the fecurity of the Saints has ever been full of the fear of GOD: Nor was their care and humblenefs of mind in the leaft abated, because of their fhining virtues, and extraordinary measures of grace. But the fecurity of the wicked fprings from pride and prefumption, and proves in the end to have been felf-delufion. Never promise thy felf abfolute fecurity in this life, whatever degrees of perfection thou may ftarrive at.

IV. Many times those that have been in more than ordinary esteem amongst men, have fall'n into proportionably greater danger, upon account of the too great confidence they had in themselves. Whence it is better for many not to be altogether free from temptations, but to be often attack'd, left they be too fecure; or perchance be puffed up into pride; or laftly, give themfelves too great a loose to outward comforts. O the man, that never fought tranfitory joy: That never engaged himself with the world; how good a confcience would he always carry! O the man, that caft off all

e In the Original: Tho' thou appear never fo good a Manaftick, or devout Hermit.

vain solicitude, and thought only of profita ble and divine things, and placed his whole hope in GOD; in what profound peace and quiet would fuch an one poffefs his foul!

V. No man is worthy of heavenly confolation, unless he has diligently exercis'd himself in holy compunction. If thou defire true compunction of heart, enter thy chamber, and exclude the tumults of the world, as it is written, be ye touched with regret upon your beds. In thy closet f thou wilt recover, what thou wilt often lofe abroad. The closet continued long in, grows fweet and pleasant, but ill-kept, it becomes tedious and irkfome. If at the beginning of thy converfion, thou keep close to it, it will afterwards become to thee as welcome as a beloved friend, and yield thee the truest confolation.

VI. In filence and quiet the devout foul advances apace, and learns the hidden myfteries of Scripture. There he finds floods of tears, wherewith to bathe and cleanse her felf every night. There the contracts fo much a clofer familiarity with her

In the Original: n thy Cell. ISo again, The Cell continued in, &c.

Creator,