1 S. BARNARDS golden sentence of the vice insuing .

VAINE-GLORIE flieth awaie swiftlie , pearceth lightlie , smiteth smoothlie , but woundeth shrewdlie , and killeth quicklie . Vaine-glorie confoundeth such as see not , such as be blind , negligent , and laie open themselues vnto it , such as run vpon it , as vpon a rocke , not viewing the mischiefe thereof , not marking or considering it , not auoiding and forsaking it ; and not weieng with aduisement , how vaine , transitorie , fraile , and perishable it is .

For , ô man , if thou wouldest looke circumspectlie into vaine-glorie , and esteeme of it accordinglie , it should be so far from killing thee , that thou wouldest rather kill , vtterlie destroie , and bring it to nothing .

2 The ASSALT giuen by VAINE-GLORIE .

O Man , estéeme of thy selfe as thou art , surpassing all other in euerie respect . If thou doo good , doo it to thy commendation : bestowe thy benefits where thou maiest be praised . If thou be disposed to doo anie man a pleasure , doo it in such conuenient place , and at such a seasonable time , as there may be standers by , & lookers on to beare witnesse thereof , and to call thée by the name of a good & pitifull man . It is lost that is done priuilie in corners , where none beholding or séeing , can report of thée according to thy desart .

Doo therefore thy good déeds in open sight , before the eies of men , that they may commend thée for thy deuotion and holinesse , praise thée for thy mercifulnes , and reuerence thee for thy goodnesse : that thou maist be counted one of Gods elect , that none may contemne thée , none despise thée , none speake ill of thée : but that all may exhibite and doo thée such honour & reuerence , as to thée by desart is due and apperteining .

3 A praier against the former vice .

O Eternall God , vnto whome all glorie be longeth , and nothing but shame and confusion vnto vs bicause of our sinnes : we beseech thee of thine infinite goodnes and clemencie , to kindle in vs a detestation and mortall hatred against all inward motions , rebelling and making war with the spirit . And speciallie , ô mercifull Father , set vs at defiance with all selfe-liking of our selues , all selfe-loue , and selfe-trust , but specialie with vain-glorie , which maketh vs negligent and carelesse in giuing thee the honour due vnto thine holie name .

We knowe , and thou seest it in vs , that euen the meanest and basest person hath some infection , little or much , of this poisonous humor of vaine-glorie , according to this saieng of the Sonne of Sirach : The poore man glorieth in his knoweledge , and the rich bicause of his goods and substance : but let him that glorieth in his wealth , feare least he fall into want . O good Lord open our eies , that we may not onelie see , but also forsake this vanitie , knowing that so long as we sauour thereof , we can not smell sweete in thy presence .

Let not anie pompe or pride of apparell carie vs awaie , ô let vs not fixe our delight in such shadowes , knowing that thou disalowest it , & by thy seruants counsellest vs to renounce the same , saieng in expresse words : Bee not proud of clothing and raiment , and exalt not thy selfe in the daie of honour . We knowe & confesse it , that against the proud vaine-glorious Pharisies , louing & challenging the highest and chiefest seates in synagogues , and delighting to bee reuerenced in frequented places , a bitter wo was denounced by thy sonne . Whereby we are taught , in what contempt thou hast this vile vice of vaine-glorie .

O giue vs grace therfore , we hartilie beseech thee , not only to learne , but also to folowe the good & wholsome counsell of thine Apostle S. Paule , exhorting vs not to be desirous of vain-glorie , prouoking one another , and enuieng another . For if anie man seeme to himselfe that he is somwhat , when he is nothing , he deceiueth himselfe in his imagination . Grant this , we humblie beseech thee , for Iesus Christs sake , our onlie mediator & aduocate , Amen .

1 S. BARNARDS golden sentence of the vertue following .

THe FEARE of GOD is the water of wholesome wisedome , the well of life , and the beginning of knowledge ; excellentlie refreshing the soule boiling in noisome desires , and able to quench all the firie darts of the enimie . He which hath the feare of God alwaie before his eies , his waies are beautifull , his paths are peaceable , his footsteps are vnmooueable .

Saie not , ô man , that he is wise , who is puffed vp with his owne knowledge . For the feare of God is the beginning of wisedome ; feare Gods iustice , ô man , feare his power , feare his almightines , and thou art wise enough : bicause feare is wisdome . Furthermore , wisedome maketh wise , as skilfulnes maketh skilfull , riches rich , valiantnes valiant , &c.

2 The REPVLSE giuen by the FEARE of GOD .

O Man , if thou doost anie good , doo it in hope of euerlasting honor , not of transitorie estimation ; of an heauenlie reward , not of an earthlie recompense . Hide and kéepe close that which thou doost , as much as thou maist . And it thou be not altogither able so to doo , yet let thy will and mind be to haue it vnknowne , so shall there be no rashnes in thée of anie vaunting what good déeds thou hast done : neither shall it bée imputed vnto thée for a fault , as time serueth to declare that , which thou wast willing should bée alwaies kept secret .

Thus dooing , thou shalt fulfill the twoo saiengs of our Sauiour Christ , séeming contrarie to themselues : In giuing almes , let not thy left hand knowe what thy right hand dooth ; but let thine almes be in secret , and thy Father , which séeth in secret shall reward thée openlie . Againe , Let men sée your good works , that they may glorifie your Father , which is in heauen .

Take héed at anie hand , that the saieng of our Sauiour to hypocrites agrée not with thée : They doo all their works , that they may be séene and praised of men . Verely the cause that manie misdeedes , which otherwise might be withstood are committed .

O Lord , arme vs , we humblie beseech thee , that the whole course of our life directed thereby , we may not miscarrie : being assured , that it is a welspring of life , against the snares of death : that who so is filled therwith , shall continue sufficientlie fortified in the euill day : that it is riches , glorie , & life : gladnes , mirth , and a crowne of ioie vnto them : and that such as are guided thereby , shall find fauour in the day of death , perfect peace , and euerlasting life : which we beseech thee grant , ô Father , for thy sonnes sake , Amen .

1 S. BARNARDS golden sentence of the vice insuing .

HYPOCRISIE is of this nature , ô man , that it seeketh after things vnaccustomed , od , singular , and vnused , to the intent it might spread abroad a zeale of it owne liking , whose affection is estranged from Christ , & delighted with vaine commendations and praises .

The sorowe of hypocrisie is not in hart ; but in face : hypocrisie is a sheepe in skin , a fox in subtiltie , and a wolfe in crueltie . It would seeme good in shew , and is nothing lesse in deed ; it would not bee thought euill , and yet is starke naught in all points . It is disguised with a pretended vizard of holines and innocencie , that it might the more cunninglie deceiue the simple , and drawe weaklings to commit sinne and wickednes .

2 The ASSALT giuen by HYPOCRISIE or DISSIMVLATION .

O Man , bicause thou dooest nothing in secret , that is good ; and art known to be such a one , as none is the better by thee , least thou be hated & detested of euerie bodie in all places : it shall be good for thee to plaie the hypocrite , & to dissemble with God and the world . Counterfet therefore thy selfe to be such a one abroad , as thou art not at home : a deuout almoner , a godly protestant , a zealous Gospeller , and an vpright dealer in all thine affaires .

Make the world beléeue , by outward shewes of good déeds , as going to the Church , frequenting of sermons , dailie praier , faire speaking , kéeping companie with preachers , and such like works of christianitie , that thou art holie , innocent , harmelesse , honest , charitable , & mercifull ; though indéed thou be an incarnate diuell , a blasphemer , a whooremonger , a slanderer , a couetous miser , an extortioner , a vsurer , and such like .

Thus shalt thou get credit abroad among men , by counterfeting the yoong Saint , and yet at home maist plaie the old diuell . By this meanes manie haue come to promotion ; and therefore doo thou , as they haue done , for thine owne profit and preferment .

3 A praier against the former vice .

O Almightie & euerlasting God , Father of our Lord IESVS Christ , whose will and pleasure it is to be worshipped in spirit & truth : we beseech thee to roote out of our harts all hypocrisie and dissembled adoration of thy diuine Maiestie , all counterfet seruice , and pharisaicall deuotion , which are vtter enimies to true Christianitie : least presuming to offer such an vnclene and defiled sacrifice in thine holie temple , we be adiudged with hypocrites to feele the endles torments of fire & brimstone in the nethermost hell .

We knowe that it is not for vs to dallie with thee , who knowest our inward thoughts : to halt before thee , who perceiuest our deuises : to dissemble with thee , who seest out secret imaginations : knowing that the subtilest shift which we can vse , and the closest conueiance that we can inuent , lieth open before thee bare , naked , and vncouered . For thou canst turne vs out of our cloke of hypocrisie , and make vs appeare as we are , euen to our owne rebuke and shame .

It is an expresse commandement set downe in thine holie word , ô most mercifull Father , that whatsoeuer we thinke , saie , or doo , should sauour of singlenesse and vprightnes . And therefore in giuing our almes , thou teachest vs what rule we should obserue ; namelie , that we should not doo as hypocrites doo , who cause a trumpet to sound out their almes-deedes , in the synagogues , villages , and frequented places , where they bestowe their dole : to the end that they might be honored of men .

In praieng also and in fasting , it is thy will and pleasure , that wee should shew a simplicitie & plaine dealing , all dissembling with thee , ô God , and the world set apart . For though we may delude men , by an extrinsecall kind of religiousnes and precisenes of life : yet can wee not outreach the vniuersall wisedome of thee , ô Lord , who canst and wilt pull awaie the fig-leaues from our filthines , and discouer our secret shame . O good God , we humblie beseech thee therfore to keepe and defend vs from this detestable sinne , whervpon dependeth a most heauie iudgement , prophesied by the mouth of thy seruant Iob , to light vpon all hypocrites and dissemblers : namelie , that Their hope shall perish , their confidence be cut off , and their trust decaie like a spiders web : that they shall not once appeare in thy presence , they shall be desolate , and fire shall consume their dwellings : their ioie shall last but a moment , their excellencie become as vile as doong , they shall vanish like a dreame or vision in the night : and their finall reward shall bee euerlasting torments in hell fire , where shall be weeping , wailing , & gnashing of teeth . From this sinne , ô Lord , and the plagues due therevnto , deliuer vs for thy mercie sake , Amen .

1 S. BARNARDS golden sentence of the vertue following .

MEate sauoureth in the mouth , and the praise of God in the hart . It is to small purpose to magnifie the Lords name with the voice onelie , without anie meaning or intent of the mind . For God , from whom nothing is hid , that is vnlawfullie done , requireth not the shrilnes and cleerenes of the voice , but the cleannes and purenes of the hart .

Wilt thou therefore worship God aright , doo him true and alowable seruice , and shew thy selfe an imbracer of pure religion ? Then worship him in spirit and truth , with singlenes of hart , with a sincere and vpright mind ; visit the fatherles , maintaine the widowes right , followe the example of Christ , and keepe thy selfe vnspotted of the world . This is true worship , this is pure religion .

2 The REPVLSE giuen by true WORSHIP , and pure RELIGION .

O Man , take héede in anie case of counterfeting & forging thy selfe to be that thou art not . For to séeme before men otherwise than thou art , what else is it but meere damnation ? Remember therefore the words of our Sauior Christ , spoken to this effect : Wo be vnto you Scribes & Pharisies hypocrites , for ye make cleane the out-side of the cup or platter , but within you are ful of robberie and vncleannes .

O thou blind Pharisie , first make cleane the in-side of the cup or platter , that the out-side of them may be cleane also . And the words of our Sauior vttered in the verie same sense , with an often repetition or rehersall : Wo vnto you Scribes and Pharisies , bicause you are like vnto painted sepulchres , which appeare outwardlie to the eies of men gaie and beautifull , but are full within of dead mens bones , and all filthines .

Euen so you likewise séeme before men iust and righteous , but within you are full of hypocrisie and wickednes . Vpon whom this sentence of our Sauiour is verified : They come vnto you in shéeps clothing , but inwardlie they are rauening woolues .

3 A praier for the former vertue .

O Eternall God , without whose aid and assistance , all our actions are turned into sinne , bicause they are not seasoned with the salt of thy spirit , but leauened rather with the dowe of the flesh : we beseech thee of thine entire goodnes , to teach vs the true worship of thee , and the sincere seruice due vnto thy diuinitie . O suffer vs not to be misled by the imaginations and traditions of men , which highlie offend thy Maiestie ; but vouchsafing to open the eies of our vnderstanding with the keie of thine heauenlie knowledge , direct vs how and in what sort we may walke religiouslie before thee .

Roote out of our harts , good God , all sinister seruice , and dissembled adoration : lead vs by the hand into thine holie temple , and make a passage for thy spirit of sanctification into our dull and darke capacities : that being reformed therby , we may worship thee in spirit and truth : knowing that thou art a spirit , and therefore wilt admit none other worship to be done vnto thee , but that which is true , vnfeigned , sincere , and spirituall .

We knowe how thou hast abhorred the hypocriticall holines of the Gentiles , of whom thou complainest by thy Prophet Esaie , that they

2 The ASSALT giuen by DISOBEDIENCE .

O Man , consider thine owne dignitie & worthines . Thine estate is honourable , and thou art better than the best . To serue and obeie is an abasing of thy vocation , it is a signe of inferioritie and subiection . To be a maister carrieth some title of authoritie : but to be an vnderling or seruant , is an argument and token of an homelie and course calling . Account of thy selfe therefore , and of thy reputation . What art thou , that thou shouldest do homage to such as are woorse than thy selfe ?

It were more méete for thée to command and gouerne , and they to obey and be ruled ; considering thou art so excellent in all respects , that there is not one to be found comparable vnto thée , either in wit , policie , diligence , or anie other good qualitie . Cast off the yoke therefore of subiection , for to obeie is seruitude and bondage , slauerie & thraldome : yea , to be inferiour to such as are not thy betters , is a token of a base mind , and a cowards hart .

Therefore estéeme of thy selfe Lord-like , and not seruant-like : stoope not vnto anie , cap not , crouch not : for a man is but a man : and thou being a rare man and matchlesse , néedest not passe a point for the proudest pecocke , for all his fine feathers , and trim taile . And rather than thou shouldest be at commandement like a seruant , trie maisteries for superioritie , and get it by vsurpation . For a loftie looke , and an hautie hart doo best béecome a man .

3 A praier against the former vice .

O Most louing Father , who hatest all kind of disobedience , frowardnes , stubbornes , rebellion , contumacie , obstinacie , and contempt : which are the fruits of the corrupt flesh ; and hast declared also thy hatred by denouncing most terrible plagues against so detestable sinne : we beseech thee to plow vp the sandie soile of our harts with the cultre of thy sanctifieng spirit , that wee may beecome tractable , mild , gentle , lowlie , and obedient , as it becommeth vs .

We knowe , by the information of thy holie word , that who so disobeieth thee , is subiect to manie curses : and who so resisteth a iudiciall magistrate , is punishable with death , euen by thine owne ordinance and lawe . We know that thou detestest nothing more than the sinne of disobedience , and transgression of thy commandements ; though the intent seeme neuer so good , honest , and tollerable to mans iudgement and reason .

This is prooued , ô eternall God , in Saule , whom thou by the mouth of Samuel didst charge with a precise commandement , that he should kill Amalek , and make a common spoile and hauocke of all that came to his hands : who being incensed with couetousnes , spared the verie best things , and conuerted them to his owne vse and possession , contrarie to thy will . But thou in thy iustice didst shew thy vengeance vpon him , in not onelie reiecting and casting him out of thy fauour , but also in disgrading him of his dignitie , and taking from him his kingdome .

We beseech thee therfore , ô King of glorie , to roote out of our harts this ranke weede of disobedience , which in holie Scripture is reported to be as the sin of witchcraft . O good Lord , dig it vp quite , we praie thee , out of the depth of out harts , that there may no relike thereof remaine , but that euerie fiber and thred growing about it , may bee plucked out and remooued . For if it be not vtterlie supplanted , we must needs looke and make full account to receiue a iust recompense and reward , according to the determinate sentence of thy holie word . Deliuer vs , ô Lord , from this heinous sinne , and the desart due to the same , for thy sonne Iesus Christs sake , Amen .

1 S. BARNARDS golden sentence of the vertue following .

THE vertue of obedience , ô man , doth alwaies march vnder the banner of truth . Obedience directeth our footsteps , ordereth our goings , and deserueth the grace or reward of holie conuersation . For if a contrarie lawe be in our members by disobedience , who knoweth not that continencie or staiednes is giuen by obedience ?

This is the vertue that can tell what belongeth to mercie , this teacheth thee patience , this bringeth thee to the full and complete knowledge of thine owne condition . Learne of Christ , who submitted himselfe to his Disciples , the Maister to his seruants , the Sauior of the world , and verie God , to miserable men ; the word and wisedome of the father , to mortall creatures . Blush ô earth and ashes , blush and be ashamed ô dust and woorms-meate .

2 The REPVLSE giuen by SVBMISSION .

O Man , remember that if thou owe anie dutie to God , there is also a dutie required of thée to discharge towards men . For God must haue his right , and Caesar likewise his tribute . Doost thou not knowe , O man , what the Lord himselfe saith in the Gospell ? He that heareth you , heareth me : and he that despiseth you , despiseth me .

It is conuenient ( thou wilt saie O man ) so to doo , prouided that hée which gouerneth be of the Lords allowing and appointing . Listen , O man , to the words of the Apostle deciding this case . There is no power , saith he , but it is of God : the powers that be , are ordeined of God ; whosoeuer therefore resisteth

O good Lord , be so fauourable vnto vs , as to bring vnder & subdue the vnrulie and rebellious motions of our mind , which oftentimes driue vs to the committing of manie a wicked offence , not onelie in talke and communication , but also in deed , life , and conuersation : least shaking from our necks the yoke of obedience & submission , and neglecting the true obseruation and fulfilling of thy lawe ; we fall into flat rebellion against thee , and so prouoking thee to anger , feele the force of thine outstretched arme , striking vs in thy furie with the sword of vengeance .

Direct vs , good Lord , by thy spirit , that we may submit our selues to all our gouernours and magistrates , without murmuring , grudging , or repining : knowing that all authoritie , regiment , superioritie , and countenance proceedeth from thee , who bestowest thy gifts according to thine owne counsell , not looking vpon the person of the receiuer , least thou mightest seeme parciall in the distribution of thy gifts .

Thou hast said , and expresselie charged , that we should be subiect to the higher powers , yea , euen to the Scribes and Pharisies sitting in Moses chaire , whom thou commandest vs to heare , and to doo according to their persuasion and counsell : but not to make their course of life and trade of dealing , a patterne for vs to followe and imitate . Arme vs therefore with true knowledge , that may lead vs to perfect and acceptable obedience , which thou esteemest more than the fat of rams , or the smoke of incense . O suffer not anie suggestion of Satan , to withdrawe vs from dooing our dutie in this case , least by disobeiing , we purchase to ourselues eternall death and damnation . Grant this for thy mercie sake , Amen .