now upon the point of leaving this world, and of paffing to the eternal feaft. Therefore ought we carefully to prepare our felves at these 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 recompence of our labours.

b

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 us 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 bath.

I.

CHAP. XX.

Of the love of Solitude and Silence.

I SEE

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

b 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 leifure 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 cafier to keep close at home, than to be fufficiently upon his guard abroad. The man therefore that intends to arrive at the inward and fpiritual 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 teftimony of a good confcience within him.

1

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 meafures 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 starrive at.

IV. Many times thofe that have been in more than ordinary efteem 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 transitory 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 Monaftick, or devout Hermit.

vain folicitude, 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!

f

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 thou wilt recover, what thou wilt often lofe abroad. The clofet 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 self every night. There the contracts fo much a clofer familiarity with her

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

Creator,

creator, as fhe lives at a greater distance from all worldly noife and hurry. He therefore that withdraws from his friends and acquaintance, to him will GoD draw near with his holy Angels. It is better for a man to lie hid, and to profecute the business of his foul, than to neglect his own falvation, and to work miracles. It is commendable in a

perfon entirely devoted to religion, to go but feldom abroad, to decline being feen of men, and to be as little fond of seeing them.

VII. To what purpose fhouldft thou be defirous of feeing that, which thou art not permitted to enjoy? The world passeth away and the luft thereof. Our fenfual inclinations lead us to range abroad; but when the moment is pass'd, what haft thou gain'd to carry home with thee, but remorfe of confcience, and a scatter'd unfettled temper of mind? He that goes out full of fatisfaction, often returns as full of melancholy; and a gay evening produces a fad morning. Thus all carnal joy enters delightfully, but in the end bites and kills. What canft thou fee any where else, that thou doft not fee here? Behold the Heaven

81 John ii. 17.

and