thing coolly and deliberately, and to judge according to God, that is, according to charity. Nevertheless (a deplorable thing to confider!) we aremany times more ready to believe and fpeak evil of our neighbour, than good; fo great is our weaknefs! But perfect men are not forward to believe every thing that is brought them: Because they are fenfible of the infirmity of man which is prone to evil,. and too apt to faulter in point of speech.

II. It is an argument of great wisdom, not to be rafh and heady in acting, nor to be obftinate and inflexible in our own private fentiments and opinions. It is an effect alfo of the fame wifdom, not to give credit to common reports: Nor to vent immediately and discharge into the ears of others what we have heard, or even believe. Advise with a difcreet and confcientious man: And feek rather to be inftructed by one better than thy felf, than to follow thy own inventions. A good and a holy life renders a man wife before GoD, and gives him good conduct and experience in abundance of things. The more humble a man is in himself, and the more fubject and refigned to the will of GoD, fo much the more prudent fhall he be in all his affairs, and enjoy fo much the greater peace and tranquillity of mind. CHAP

I.

CHAP. V.

Of the Reading of the Holy Scriptures.

'T

Ruth is to be fought in the holy Scriptures, not eloquence. Every part of the holy Text ought to be read with the fame Spirit wherewith it was penn'd. We are to feek edification rather in the Scriptures, than fubtilty and accuracy of fpeech. We ought to read the plain and the devout parts of Scripture with the fame affection and delight, as thofe which are more fublime and profound. Let not the authority of the Penman offend thee, whether he were a perfon of fmall or great learning; but let the love of pure truth draw thee to read. Examine not who faid this or that, but mark well what is faid.

H. Men pass away, but the truth of the Lord abideth for evera. GOD fpeaketh to us in divers manners, without any partial refpect of perfons. Our own curiofity many times is a hindrance to us in reading the Scriptures; when we endeavour to comprehend, and ftand to examine and discuss, where the eye ought fimply to pafs over. If thou wouldst reap profit, read with hu

a Pfal. cxvii 2.

mility,

mility, fimplicity, and faith; and never af fect the reputation of Learning. Confult with pleasure wife and holy men, and receive with refpect and filence their Interpretations: Neither let the parables and prot verbial fentences of the Ancients be difguftful to thee; for they were not uttered at all adventures, and without cause.

I.

CHAP. VI.

Of Inordinate Affections.

W

Henfoever a man defireth any thing inordinately, from that very moment he findeth trouble and disquiet within himself. The proud man and the covetous are never at reft: The poor and humble in fpirit poffefs their fouls in a multitude of peace. The man that is not yet perfectly dead to himself is quickly tempted, and fuffers himself to be vanquish'd in things fmall and trivial. A man weak in fpirit, and as yet carnal in a manner, and inclined to fenfible things, cannot without difficulty wean himfelf perfectly from earthly defires. And therefore he oftentimes feels regret, in withdrawing himself from

them:

them: He is alfo apt to fly into anger, if any one opposes him.

II. But if he hath given the reins to, and compaffed his irregular defire, immediately he is ftung with remorfe of confcience: because he hath indulg'd his paffion, which contributes nothing to the peace he fought. True peace of heart therefore is found by refifting our paffions, and not by gratifying them. Confequently there is no peace in the heart of a carnal man; nor in a perfon abandon'd to exterior things, but in a feryent only, and fpiritual man.

CHAP. VII.

Of flying vain Hope and Elevation of

'H'

Heart.

E that putteth his Hope in man, or in any created thing, dependeth upon vanity and a fhadow. Be not asham'd to ferve thy Brethren, (tho' in the meaneft offices) for the love of Jefus Chrift: Nor to appear poor and mean in this world. Depend not upon thy felf, but place all thy confidence in GOD. Do what in thee lies, and

GOD

GOD will be aiding and affifting to thy goodwill and fincere intention. Truft not in thy own wisdom, nor in the addrefs and craft of any man living: But rather in the' grace and favour of GOD, who helpeth the humble, and humbleth the felf-prefuming.

II. Glory not in riches, it thou haft them: Nor in friends, becaufe they are powerful: But in God, who giveth all things, and is defirous to give us himself alfo, befides and above all other gifts. Think not highly of thy felf upon the account of ftrength, or beauty; which a fmall fickness will deftroy and decay. Please not thy felf with thy abilities, or wit; left thou difpleafe GOD, whofe is wholly whatfoever natural good thou haft.

III. Efteem not thy felf better than others, left haply in the fight of God, who knoweth what is in man, thou be accounted worse, Be not proud of good works: because the judgment of God, and the judg ments of men are different; and that often difpleafeth him, which pleaseth them. If thou haft any good quality in thee, believe better qualities may be found in others; in order to keep thee humble. There can be no hurt in poftponing thy felf to all: But

will be exceeding dangerous, to prefer thy