them: He is also 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 fervent 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 afham'd to ferve thy Brethren, (tho' in the meanest 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

Gop will be aiding and affifting to thy goodwill and fincere intention. Truft not in thy own wifdom, 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 self-prefuming.

II. Glory not in riches, if 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 strength, or beauty; which a small fickness will destroy and decay. Please not thy felf with thy a bilities, or wit; left thou difplease GOD, whofe is wholly whatsoever natural good thou haft.

III. Esteem not thy felf better than others, left haply in the fight of God, who knoweth what is in man, thou be accounted worfe. Be not proud of good works: because the judgment of GOD, and the judgments of men are different; and that often displeaseth 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 it will be exceeding dangerous, to prefer

thy

peace

thy felf before fo much as one. Perpetual peace dwelleth with the humble: But in the heart of the proud, envy, emulation, and wrath.

CHAP. VIII.

Of bunning too much Familiarity.

Pen not thine heart to every man But communicate thy affairs to a prudent and religious perfon. Converse but rarely with young men, and ftrangers. Flatter not the rich; neither do thou affect. to be seen in the prefence of great Perfonages. Affociate thy felf with the humble, and fimple, with the devout and virtuous: and discourse of such things as tend to edification. Be not familiar with any woman: But in general, commend all good women to GOD. Defire to be familiar only with GOD, and his Angels; and fhun the acquaintance of men.

II. To be in charity with all men is ne ceffary, but to be familiar with all men, is

b Eccluf. viii. 19.

not

not expedient. It fometimes falls out, that a perfon unknown fhines in reputation and character: Who notwithstanding lofes in the eye of the beholder, and effaces by his prefence the esteem before conceiv'd of him. We fometimes think to please others by our converfation: And we begin rather to dif gust them by the ill qualities they difco

ver in us.

'I

CHAP. IX.

Of Obedience and Subjection.

ITT is a matter of confiderable advantage to persevere in obedience, to live under the direction of a Superior, and not to be one's own master. It is much fafer to obey, than to command. Many fubmit more out of neceffity, than from a principle of duty and confcience; and to fuch, this is a ftate of torment, and continual murmuring. Nor will they ever attain to liberty of spirit; till they have learnt to obey heartily and voluntarily, for God's fake. Run from place to place as much as thou wilt; thou wilt never find repose but in an humble fub

miffion

miffion to the conduct of a Superior. A fond imagination of being eafier, elfewhere, and a defire of change, hath deceiv'd many.

II. True it is, that every man loves to act according to his own judgment; and is beft affected towards thofe who are of the fame opinion with him. But if GOD dwell among us, and rule in our hearts, we must fometimes neceffarily abandon our own fenfe, for the good of peace. Who is fo abfolutely wife, as to be able to know all things completely? Wherefore, be not too confident of thy own fenfe: But be content freely to hear the fenfe of others alfo. If thy own judgment be right and yet thou depart from it for the fake of GoD, and follow that of another, thou shalt draw from thence fpiritual profit.

III. For I have often heard fay, that it is fafer to hear, and to take advice, than to give it. It is poffible that a man may have a right fenfe, and a juft and true notion of a thing: Nevertheless to refufe to acquiefce and comply with others, when occafion or reafon requires it, is a fign of pride, and wilfulness.

CHAP.