2

Some men liue to be their own executors for their good name ; which they see ( not honestly ) buried , before themselues dy . Some other of great place , and ill desert , part with their good name & breath , at once . There is scarce a vicious man whose name is not rotten before his carcasse . Contrarily , the good mans name is oft times that heyr to his life ; eyther borne after the death of the parent , for that enuy wold not suffer it to come forth before : or perhaps so well growen vp in his life time , that the hope therof is the staffe of his age , and ioy of his death . A wicked mans name may be feared awhile ; soone after , it is eyther forgotten or cursed : The good mans eyther sleepeth with his bodie in peace , or waketh ( as his soule ) in glorie .

3

Oft times those which show much valor while there is equall possibility of life , when they see a present necessity of death , are found most shamefully timorous . Their courage was before grounded vpon hope : that , cut off , leaues them at once desperate and cowardly : wheras men of feebler spirits meete more cheerefully with death ; because though their courage bee lesse , yet their expectation was more .

4

I haue seldome seene the son of an excellent and famous man , excellent : But , that an ill bird hath an ill egge , is not rare ; children possessing as the bodily diseases , so the vices of their Parents . Vertue is not propagated : Vice is ; euen in them which haue it not raigning in themselues : The grain is sowen pure , but comes vp with chaffe & husk . Hast thou a good son ? Hee is Gods , not thine . Is he euill ? Nothing but his sinne is thine : Help by thy praiers and indeuors to take away that which thou hast giuen him , and to obtaine from God that which thou hast , & canst not giue : Els thou maist name him a possession ; but thou shalt finde him a losse .

5

These things be comly & pleasant to see ; & worthy of honor from the beholder : A young Saint , an old Martyr , a religious souldier , a conscionable States-man , a great man curteous ▪ a learned man humble , a silent woman , a child vnderstanding the ey of his Parent , a mery companion without vanitie , a friende not changed with honour , a sick man cheerefull , a soule departing with confort and assurance .

6

I haue oft obserued in mery meetings solemnly made , that somewhat hath fallen out crosse , eyther in the time , or immediately vpon it ; to season ( as I thinke ) our immoderation in desiring or inioying our friends : and againe , euentes suspected haue proued euer best ; God herein blessing our awfull submission with good successe . In all these humane things , indifferency is safe . Let thy doubtes bee euer equall to thy desires : so thy disappointment shall not bee grieuous , because thy expectation was not peremptory .

7

You shall rarely finde a man eminent in sundry faculties of mind , or sundry manuarie trades . If his memory be excellent , his fantasie is but dull : if his fancie be busie and quick , his iudgement is but shallow : If his iudgement be deep , his vttrance is harshe : which also holds no lesse in the actiuities of the hand . And , if it happen that one man be quallifyed with skill of diuers trades , and practice this variety , you shal seldom finde such one thriuing in his estate : with spirituall giftes it is otherwise ; which are so chayned together , that who excels in one hath some eminencie in more , yea in all . Look vpon faith : shee is attended with a Beuie of Graces : Hee that beleeues , cannot but haue hope : if hope , patience . He that belieues and hopes must needes finde ioy in God : if ioy , loue of God ; hee that loues God , cannot but love his brother : his love to God breedes piety & care to please , sorrow for offending , feare to offend . His loue to men , fidelity & Christian beneficence : vices are seldom single ; but vertues go euer in troups : they go so thicke , that sometimes some are hid in the croud ; which yet are , but appear not : They may be shut out from sight ; they cannot be seuered .

8

The Heauen euer mooues , and yet is the place of our rest : Earth euer rests , and yet is the place of our trouble : Outwarde motion can be no enemy to inward rest ; as outwarde rest may well stand with inwarde vnquietnesse .

9

None liue so ill , but they content themselues in somewhat : Euen the begger likes the smell of his dish . It is a rare euill that hath not something to sweeten it , either in sense or in hope : Otherwise men woulde growe desperate , mutinous , enuious of others , wearie of themselues . The better that thing is wherein wee place our comfort , the happier we liue : and the more wee loue good things , the better they are to vs . The Worldlinges comfort , though it bee good to him because he loves it ; yet because it is not absolutely and eternall good , it failes him : wherein the Christian hath iust aduantage of him , while hee hath all the same causes of ioy refined and exalted ; besides more and hyer , which the other knows not of : The worldling laughes more , but the Christian is more delighted . These two are easily seuered : Thou seest a goodly picture , or an heap of thy gold : thou laughest not , yet thy delight is more then in a iest that shaketh thy splene : As grief , so ioy is not lesse when it is least expressed .

10

I haue seene the worst natures , & most depraued minds not affecting all sinnes : but still some they haue condemned in others , and abhorred in themselues : One exclaimes on couetousnesse , yet he can too wel abide riotous good fellowship : Another inueighes against drunkennesse and excesse , not caring how cruel he be in vsury and oppression . One cannot indure a rough and quarrellous disposition , yet giues himselfe ouer to vnclean & lasciuious courses : Another hates all wrongs , saue wrong to God . One is a ciuill Atheist , another a religious Vsurer , a third an honest Drunkarde , a fourth an vnchaste Iusticer , a fift a chaste Quarreller . I know not whether euery diuel excel in all sins : I am sure some of them haue denomination from some sinnes more speciall . Let no man applaude himselfe for those sinnes he wanteth , but condemn himself rather for that sin he hath . Thou censurest another mans sinne , hee thine ; GOD curseth both .

11

Golde is the heauiest of all metalles : It is no wonder that the rich man is vsually carryed downward to his place . It is hard for the soule , clogged with manie weights , to ascend to heauen : It must be a strong and nimble soule that can carry vp it selfe , and such a lode ; yet Adam and Noah flewe vp thither with the double Monarchy of the worlds the Patriarkes with much wealth , maoie holy Kings with massie Crowns and Scepters . The burden of couetous desires is more heauy to an empty soule then much treasure to the full . Our affections giue poise or lightnesse to earthly things . Either abate of thy lode if thou finde it too pressing , whether by hauing lesse , or louing lesse : or adde to thy strength & activitie , that thou mayst yet ascend . It is more commendable , by how much more harde , to climbe into heauen with a burden .

12

A Christian in all his wayes must haue three guides : Truth , Charity , Wisedome : Truth to go before him ; Charity & Wisdome on eyther hand . If any of the three be absent , he walks amisse . I haue seen some doe hurt by following a truth vncharitably : And others while they would salve vp an errour with loue , haue fayled in their wisedome , and offended against iustice . A charitable vntruth , and an vncharitable truth , and an vnwise menaging of truth or loue , are all to be carefullie auoyded of him that woulde goe with a right foot in the narrow way .

13

GOD brought man forth at first , not into a Wildernesse , but a Garden ; yet then he expected best seruice of him . I neuer finde that hee delights in the misery , but in the prosperity of his seruants . Cheerfulnes pleases him better then a deiected and dull heauinesse of heart . If wee can bee good with pleasure hee grudgeth not our ioy : If not , it is best to stint our selues ; not for that these comforts are not good , but because our harts are euil : falting not their nature but our vse and corruption .

14

The homeliest seruice that we doe in an honest calling , tho it be but to plow , or dig , if done in obedience , & conscience of Gods commandement , is crowned with an ample reward ; whereas the best works for their kind ( preaching , praying , offering euangelical sacrifices ) if without respect of Gods iniunction and glory , are loded with curses : God loueth aduerbs ; & cares not how good , but how well .

15

The golden infancy of some hath proceeded to a brazen youth , and ended in a leaden age : All humane maturities have their period : Onely grace hath none . I durst neuer laie too muche hope on the forwarde beginnings of witt and memorie , which haue been applauded in children . I knew they could but attaine their vigor ; and that if sooner , no whit the better : for the earlier is their perfection of wisedome , the longer shal be their witless age . Seasonablenesse is best in all these things which haue their ripenesse and decay : Wee can neuer hope too much of the timely blossomes of grace , whose spring is perpetuall , and whose haruest begins with our end .

16

A man must giue thankes for some-what which he may not pray for . It hath been sayde of Courtiers , that they must receiue iniuries & giue thanks . God cannot wrong his , but hee will crosse them ▪ those crosses are beneficiall ; all benefites challenge thanks : Yet I haue read that Gods children have with condition prayed against them , neuer for them . In good things we pray both for them , and their good vse : in euill , for their good vse , not themselues : Yet , wee must giue thankes for both . For , there is no evill of paine which God dooth not ; nothing that God doth , is not good ; no good thing but is worthy of thankes .

17

One half of the world knowes not how the other liues : and therefore the better sort pitty not the distressed ; and the miserable enuy not those which fare better , because they knowe it not . Each man iudges of others condition , by his owne . The worst sort would be too much discontented , if they sawe how farr more pleasant the life of others is : And if the better sort ( such we cal those which are greater ) could look down to the infinit miseries of inferiours , it would make them either miserable in compassion , or proude in conceite . It is good , some-times , for the delicate riche man to look into the poor mans cupboard : and seeing God in mercy gives him not to knowe their sorrowe by experience , to knowe it yet in speculation : This shall teache him more thankes to God , more mercy to men , more contentment in himselfe .

18

Such as a mans prayer is for another , it shall be in time of his extreamity for himselfe : For , though he loue himselfe more then others , yet his apprehension of God is alike for both . Such as his praier is in a former extreamity , it shal be also in death : this way , we may haue experience euen of a thing future : If God haue been far off from thee in a fit of thine ordinary sicknesse , feare least he will not be neerer thee in thy last : what differs that from this , but in time ? Correct thy dulnesse vpon former proofs : or els at last thy deuotion shall want life before thy body .

19

Those that come to their meat as to a medicine ( as Augustine reports of himself ) liue in an austere & Christian temper , & shal be sure not to ioy too much in the creature , nor to abuse themselues : Those , that come to their medicine as to meate , shall be sure to liue miserablie and dye soone : To come to meate as meate , if without a gluttonous appetite & palate , is allowed to Christians : To come to meat as to a sacrifice vnto the belly , is a most base & brutish idolatry .

20

The worst that euer were , euen Caine and Iudas haue had some ●autors that haue honoured them for Saints : And the Serpent that beguyled our first Parents hath in that name had diuine honour and thankes . Neuer anie man trod so perilous and deepe steppes , but some haue followed , and admired him . Each master of heresie hath found some clients ; euen hee , that taught all mens opinions were true : Againe , no man hath been so exquisite , but some haue detracted from him , euen in those qualityes which haue seemed most worthy of wonder to others . A man shall bee sure to be backed by some , eyther in good or euil , and by some shouldred in both . It is good for a man not to stand vpon his Abbetters , but his quarrell ; and not to depend vpon others , but himselfe .

21

We see thousands of Creatures dye for our vse , and neuer doe so much as pitty them : why do we think much to dye once for God ? They are not ours so much as wee are his ; nor our pleasure so much to vs as his glory to him : their liues are lost to vs , ours but changed to him .

22

Much ornament is no good signe : Paynting of the face argues an ill complexion of bodie , a worse minde . Truth , hath a face both honest and comely , and lookes best in her owne colours : but , aboue all , diuine truth is most faire , and most scorneth to borrowe beautie of mans witt or tongue : she loveth to come forth in her natiue grace like a Princely Matrone ; and counts it the greatest indignity , to be dallyed with as a wanton Strumpet : She lookes to command reuerence , not pleasure : she would be kneeled to , not laughed at ; To pranke her vp in vaine dresses and fashions , or to sport with her in a light and youthful maner , is most abhorring from her nature : they know her not , that giue her such entertainment ; and shall first knowe her angry , when they do know her . Againe shee would bee playne , but not base , not sluttish : She would be clad not garishly , but not in ragges : Shee likes as little to bee set out by a base foyle , as to seeme credited with gaye colours . It is no small wisdome to know her iust guise , but more to followe it ; and so to keepe the meane , that while we please her , wee discontent not the beholders .

23

In worldly carryage so much is a man made of , as he takes vpon himselfe : but such is Gods blessing vppon true humility , that it still procureth reuerence . I neuer sawe Christian lesse honored for a wise neglect of himselfe : If our deiection proceed from the conscience of our want , it is possible wee should be as little esteemed of others , as of our selues : But if wee haue true graces , and prize them not at the highest ; others shall value both them in vs , and vs for them , and with vsurie giue vs that honour wee with held modestly from our selues .

24

He , that takes his full liberty in what he may , shall repent him : how much more in what he shoulde not ? I neuer read of Christian that repented him of too little worldlie delight . The surest course I have still found in all earthlie pleasures , To rise with an appetite , and to bee satisfied with a little .

25

There is a time when Kings goe not forth to warfare : Our spirituall warre admitts no intermission : it knowes no night , no winter , abides no peace , no truce . This cals vs not into a garison , where we may have ease and respite , but into pitched fields continually : we see our enemies in the face alwaies , and are alwayes seene and assalted : euer resisting , euer defending , receiuing and returning blowes . If eyther wee be negligent or weary , wee dy : what other hope is ther while one fights , & the other stands still ? We can neuer haue safet●● & peace , but in victory . There must our resistance be couragious and constant , whe●● both yielding is death , and all treatyes of peace mortall .

26

Neutrality in things good or euil is both odious , and preiudicial ; but in matters of an indifferent nature is safe and commendable : Herein taking of parts , maketh sides , and breaketh vnitie . In an vniust cause of separation , hee that fauoureth both partes , may perhaps haue least loue of either side ; but hath most charitie in himselfe .

27

Nothing is more absurd then that Epicurean resolution , Let vs eat and drinke , to morrow wee shall dy : As if wee were made onely for the paunch , & liued that we might liue : yet ther was neuer any naturall man found sauor in that meat which hee knewe should be his last : wheras they should say ; Let vs fast and pray , to morrow we shall die : For , to what purpose is the body strengthened that it may perish ? whose greater strength makes our death more violent . No man bestowes a costly roofe on a ruinous tenement : That mans end is easie & happy whom death finds with a weak bodie , and a strong soule .

28

Somtimes , euen things in themselues naturally good , are to bee refused for those , which ( being euil ) may be an occasion to a greater good . Life is in it self good , and death-euill : Els Dauid , Elias and many excellent Martyrs would not have fled , to hold life , and auoid death ; Nor Ezekiah haue prayed for it , nor our Sauiour haue bidden vs to flee for it , nor God promised it to his for a reward ; yet if in some cases wee hate not life , wee loue not God , nor our soules . Heerein , as much as in any thing , the peruersnesse of our nature appeares , that wee wishe death , or loue life vpon wrong causes : we would liue for pleasure , or wee woulde die for payne ; Iob for his sores , Elias for his persecution , Ionas for his gourd would presently dye , and will needs outface God that it is better for him to die , then to liue : wherin wee are like to garrison souldiers , that while they liue within safe wals , and showe themselues once a day rather for ceremony & pomp , then neede or daunger , like warrefare well enough ; but if once called foorth to the field , they wish themselues at home .

29

Not onely the least but the worst is ever in the bottome : what shoulde God doe with the dregges of our age ? when sinne will admitt thee his Clyent no longer , then God shall be beholden to thee for thy seruice : Thus is God dealt-with in all other offrings ; The worst & least sheafe must bee Gods Tenth : The deformedst or simplest of our Children must bee Gods Ministers : The vncleanlyest and most carelesse house must be Gods Temple ; the idlest and sleepyest houres of the day must bee reserued for our praiers ; The worst part of our age for Deuotion . Wee woulde haue God giue vs stil of the best , and are ready to murmure at euerie little euill he sends vs : yet , nothing is bad enough for him , of whom we receiue all . Nature condemnes this inequality : and tells vs , that he which is the author of good , should haue the best ; and hee which giues al should haue his choice .

30

When we go about an euill businesse , it is strange how readie the diuell is to set vs forward ; how carefull that we should want no furtherances : So that if a man would bee lewdly witty , hee shal be sure to be furnished with store of profane iests , wherein a loose heart hath double aduantage of the conscionable . If hee would bee voluptuous , hee shall want neither obiects nor opportunities . The currant passage of ill enterprises is so far from giuing cause of incouragement , that it shoulde iustly fright a man to look back to the author ; and to consider that hee therefore goes fast , because the Diuell driues him .

31

In the choice of companions for our conuersation , it is good dealing with men of good natures : for , tho grace exerciseth her power in bridling nature , yet ( sith wee are still men , at the best ) some swinge she will haue in the most mortyfied . Austeritie , sullennesse , or strangenesse of disposition , and what-soeuer qualityes may make a man vnsociable , cleaue faster to our nature , then those which are morally euill . True Christian loue maie bee separated from acquaintance , and acquaintance from intirenesse : These are not qualities to hinder our loue , but our familiaritie .

32

Ignorance as it makes bold , intruding men carelesly into vnknow'n dangers ; so also it makes men oft-times causelesly fearefull . Herod feared Christs comming , because he mistooke it : If that Tyrant had knowen the manner of his spirituall regiment , hee had spared both his own fright and the blood of others . And hence it is , that wee feare Death , because wee are not acquainted with the vertue of it . Nothing but innocence & knowledge can giue sound confidence to the heart .

33

Where are diuers opinions , they may be all false ; ther can be but one true : and that one Truth oft-times must be fetcht by peece-meale out of diuers branches of contrary opinions . For , it falles out not seldome , that Truth is through ignorance or rash vehemency scattred into sundry parts ; and , like to a little siluer melted amongst the ruines of a burnt house , must be tried out from heapes of much superfluous ashes . Ther is much paines in the search of it ; much skill in finding it : the value of it once founde requytes the coste of both .

34

Affectation of superfluitie , is in all thinges a signe of weaknesse : As , in words hee that vseth circumlocutions to expresse himselfe , showes want of memory , and want of proper speach : And much talk argues a braine feeble & distempered : what good can any earthly thing yield vs beside his vse ? and what is it but vanitie to affect that which dooth vs no good ? and what vse is in that which is superfluous ? It is a great skill to know what is enough , and great wisedome to care for no more .

35

Good things , which in absence were desired , now offring themselues to our presence are scarce intertained ; or at least not with our purposed cheerefulnesse . Christs comming to vs and our going to him are in our profession wel esteemed , much wished : But when hee singleth vs out by a direct message of death , or by some fearefull signe giueth likelihood of a present returne , wee are as much affected with feare , as before with desire . All changes , although to the better , are troublesome for the time , vntill our settling : Ther is no remedy herof but inward preuention : Our minde must change , before our estate be changed .

36

Those are greatest enemies to religion , that are not most irreligious . Atheistes , tho in themselues they be the worst , yet are seldome found hot Persecuters of others : wheras those which in some one fundamentall point be hereticall , are commonly most violent in oppositions . One hurts by secret infection , the other by open resistance : One is carelesse of all truth , the other vehement for some vntruth . An Atheist is worthy of more hatred , an Hereticke of more feare ; both , of auoidance .

37

Wayes if neuer vsed cannot but bee faire ; if much vsed are made commodiously passable ; if before oft vsed , and now seldome , they become deep and dangerous . If the hart be not at al inured to meditation , it findeth no fault with it self ; not for that it is innocent , but secure ; If often , it findeth comfortable passage for his thoughts ; If rarely , and with intermission , tedious and troublesome . In things of this nature , wee onely escape complaint , if wee vse them eyther alwayes or neuer .

38

Our sensual hand holds fast whatsoeuer delight it apprehendeth : our spirituall hand easily remitteth ; because appetite is stronger in vs then grace : whence it is that wee so hardly deliuer our selues of earthlie pleasures , which wee haue once entertayned ; and with such difficulty draw our selues to a constant course of faith , hope , and spirituall ioy , or to the renued acts of them once intermitted . Age is naturally weak , and youth vigorous ; but in vs the olde man is strong , the newe faint and feeble : the fault is not in grace , but in vs : Faith dooth not want strength , but we want faith .

39

It is not good in worldly estates for a man to make himselfe necessary . For , herupon he is both more toyled , and more suspected : but in the sacred Common-wealth of the Church , a man cannot bee ingaged too deepely by his seruice : The ambition of spirituall well-doing , breedes no danger . He that doth best , and may worst be spared , is happiest .

40

It was a fit comparison of worldly cares , to thornes : For , as they choak the word , so they prick our soules : Neyther the word can grow vp amongst them , nor the heart can rest vpon them : Neyther bodie nor soule can finde ease while they are within , or close to vs : Spirituall cares are as sharpe ; but more profitable ; they payne vs , but leaue the soule better . They break our sleepe , but for a sweeter rest : we are not wel but either while we haue them , or after wee haue had them . It is as impossible to haue spirituall health without these , as to haue bodily strength with the other .

41

In temporall good things , it is best to live in doubt ; not making full account of that , which we hold in so weak a tenure . In spirituall , with confidence ; not fearing that which is warranted to vs by an infallible promise & sure earnest . He lives most contentedly , that is most secure for this world , most resolute for the other .

42

God hath in nature giuen euery man inclinations to some one particular calling ; which if he follow , he excells ; if hee crosse , he proues a non-proficient , & changeable : But all mens natures are equally indisposed to grace , and to the common vocation of Christianity : we are all borne heathens . To do well ; nature must in the first be obserued and followed , in the other crossed and ouercome .

43

Good-man , is a title given to the lowest ; wheras all Titles of Greatnesse , Worship , Honor , are obserued and attributed with choice . The speech of the World bewrayes their minde & showes the common estimation of goodnes compared with other qualities . The World therfore is an il Herald , and vnskilful in the true stiles : It were happie that goodnesse were so common ; and pity that it eyther shoulde not stand with greatnesse , or not bee preferred to it .

44

Amongst all actions Satan is euer busiest in the best , and most in the best part of the best ; as in the ende of Prayer when the heart should close vp it selfe with most comfort . Hee neuer feares vs , but when wee are well imployed : and the more likelyhood he sees of our profit , the more is his enuie , and labour to distract vs . Wee shoulde loue our selues , as much as he hates vs ; and therfore striue so muche the more towardes our good , as his malice striueth to interrupt it . We doe nothing , if we contende not , when wee are resisted . The good soule is ever in contradiction ; denying what is graunted , and contending for that which is denyed ; suspecting when it is gayne-saide , and fearing libertie .

45

God forewarnes ere he try , because he would be preuented : Sathan steales vpon vs suddenly by temptations , because he would soile vs . If we relent not vppon Gods premonition , and meet not the lingring pase of his punishments to forestall them , he punisheth more by how much his warning was more euident and more large ; Gods tryals must be met when they come : Satans must bee seene before they come ; and if we be not armed ere wee bee assaulted , wee shall be foyled ere wee can bee armed .

46

It is not good to bee continuall in denunciation of iudgement : The noyse , to which wee are accustomed ( tho loud ) wakes vs not ; whereas a lesse if vnusuall stirreth vs : The next waie to make threatnings contemned , is to make them common . It is a profitable rodde that strikes sparingly , and frightes somwhat oftener then it smiteth .

47

Want of vse causeth disabilitie , and custome perfection . Those that haue not vsed to praie in their closet , cannot pray in publique , but coldely and in forme . Hee that discontinues meditation shal be long in recouering ; whereas the man inured to these exercises ( who is not dressed till he haue praied , nor hath supped till hee haue meditated ) dooth both these well , and with ease . He , that intermittes good duties , incurres a double losse : of the blessing that followeth good ; of the facultie of dooing it .

48

Christianitie is both an easie yoke , and an hard ; hard to take vp , easie to beare when once taken . The heart requires much labour , ere it can bee induced to stoope vnder it ; and findes as much contentment when it hath stooped . The Worldling thinkes Religion seruilitie : but , the Christian knowes whose slaue hee was , till hee entred into this seruice ; and that no bondage can be so ill , as freedome from these bondes .

49

It is a wonder how full of shiftes nature is ; Ready to turne ouer all good purposes . If wee thinke of death , she suggests secretly , Tush it shall not come yet : If of iudgement for sinne , this concernes not thee ; it shall not come at all : If of heauen and our labour to reach it ; Trouble not thy selfe , it will come soone enough alone : Addresse thy self to pray ; it is yet vnseasonable , stay for a better opportunitie : To giue almes ; thou knowest not thy owne future wants : To reproue ; what neeedest thou thrust thy selfe into wilfull hatred ? Euery good action hath his lett : He can neuer be good , that is not resolute .

50

All Artes are Maides to Diuinitie ; therefore they both vayle to her , and do her seruice : and she like a graue mistresse controlls them at pleasure : Naturall philosophie teacheth , that of nothing can be nothing made ; and , that from the privation to the habite is no returne : Diuinitie takes her vp , for these ; and , vpon supernaturall principles , teaches her a Creation , a Resurrection . Philosophy teaches vs to follow sense , as an infallible guide ; Diuinity tels hir , that faith is of things not seen . Logick teaches vs first to discourse , then to resolue : Diuinity , to assent without arguing . Ciuil law teacheth , that long custome prescribeth : Diuinity that old things are passed ; Morall Philosophie that tallying of iniuries is iustice : Divinitie , that good must be returned for ill ; Policie , that better is a mischiefe then an inconuenience : Diuinitie , that wee maie not doe euill that good maie ensue . The Schoole is well ordered , while Diuinitie keepes the chaire : but , if anie other skill vsurpe it , and checke their mistresse , there can followe nothing but confusion and Atheisme .

51

Much difference is to bee made betwixt a reuolter , and a man trayned vp in error . A Iew and an Arryan both deny Christs deity : yet this opinion is not in both punished with bodily death . Yea , a reuolt to a lesse error is more punishable then education in a capitall heresie . Errors of iudgement , tho lesse regarded then errors of practice , yet are more pernicious : but none so deadly as theirs that once were in the truth . If truth be not sued to , it is dangerous ; but if forsaken , desperate .

52

It is an ill argument of a good action not well done , when we are glad that it is done . To bee affected with the comfort of the conscience of wel performing it , is good : but meerly to reioyce that the act is ouer , is carnall . He neuer can begin cheerfully , that is glad he hath ended .

53

Hee that dooth not secret seruice to GOD with some delight , doth but counterfaite in publique . The truth of anie acte or passion is then best tryed , when it is without witnesse . Openlie , manie sinister respects may draw from vs a forme of religious duties : secretly , nothing but the power of a good conscience . It is to bee feared , God hath more true & deuout seruice , in closets , them in churches .

54

Words and diseases grow vpon vs with years . In age wee talke much , because wee haue seene much , and soone after shal cease talking for euer : Wee are most diseased , because nature is weakest , and death which is neere , must have harbingers : such is the old age of the World . No maruell , if this last time bee full of writing , and weake discourse ; full of sectes and heresies , which are the sicknesses of this great and decaied body .

55

The best ground vntilled soonest runs out into ranke weeds . Such are Gods Children ; Ouer-growne with securitie ere they are aware , vnlesse they bee wel exercised both with Gods plow of affliction , and their owne industry in meditation . A man of knowledge that is eyther negligent , or vncorrected , cannot but growe wilde and godlesse .

56

With vs vilest things are most common ; But with GOD the best thinges are most frequently giuen . Grace which is the noblest of all Gods fauours , is vnpartially b●●●●wed vpon all willing ●eceiuers ; whereas Nobilitie of blood and height of place , blessings of an inferiour nature , are reserued for fewe . Heerein the Christian followes his Father ; his prayers which are his richest portion hee communicates to al ; his substance according to his ability , to fewe .

57

God therfore giues , because hee hath giuen ; making his former fauours , ●●●●ments for more : Man therefore shuts his hand , because he hath opened it . Ther is no such way to procure more from God , as to vrge him with what he hath done . All Gods blessings are profitable and excellent ; not so much in themselues , as that they are inducements to greater .

58

Gods immediate actions are best , at first . The frame of his creation how exquisite was it vnder his hand ! afterwardes , blemished by our sin : mans indeuours are weake in their beginnings , and perfitter by degrees . No science , no deuise hath euer bin perfite in his cradle ; or at once hath seene his birth and maturitie : of the same nature are those actions which God worketh mediately by vs according to our measure of receit . The cause of both is , on the one side the infinitenesse of his wisedome and power which cannot bee corrected by any second assayes : On the other , our weakenes helping it selfe by former grounds and tryals . Hee is an happie man that detractes nothing from Gods workes , and addes most to his owne .

59

The olde saying is more common then true ; that those which are in hell know no other heauen : for this makes the damned perfitly miserable , that out of their own torment , they see the felicitie of the saints ; togither with their impossibility of attayning it . Sight without hope of fruition is a torment alone : Those that heere might see God and will not , or doe see him obscurely and love him not , shall once see him with anguish of soule & not enioie him .

60

Somtimes euill speeches come from good men , in their vnaduisednesse ▪ and , somtimes , euen the good speeches of men may proceede from an ill spirit . No confession coulde bee better then Satan gaue of Christ : It is not enough to consider what is spoken , or by whom ; but whence , & for what . The spirit is oft-times tryed by the speech : but other-times the speech must bee examined by the spirit ; and the spirit , by the rule of an higher word .

61

Greatnesse puts hie thoughts , & big words , into a man ; whereas the deiected minde takes , carelesly , what offers it selfe . Euerie worldling is base-minded ; & therfore his thoughts creep stil lowe vpon the earth . The Christian both is & knowes himselfe truely great ; and thereupon mindeth and speaketh of spirituall , immortall , glorious , heauenly thinges . So much as the soule stoopeth to earthly thoughts ; so much is it vnregenerate .