I. DEfer not your Conversion , or the performance of any Good Action , till the Morrow ; for the Morrow is uncertain , but Death is ever certain . Grace will Assist , where Man doth not Resist .

II . Defer not your Conversion , or the Performance of any Good Action , to your Old Age , but offer to God the Flower of your Youth : Uncertain is Old Age to the Young , but certain Destruction attends him that Dies Young without Repentance .

III . While you Live , Die daily to your Self , and to your Vices ; so in Death may you expect to Live to God : You cannot Live to him , but according to the Measure as you are Dead to the Flesh .

IV . Commit not an Evil Action for the sake of any Man , for that Man whom you so much Respect , will not be your Judge .

V. Examine your Life every Day , whether you Increase or Decrease , in Charity , Humility and Purity : Consider how in the Way of the Lord , you must either Increase or Decrease . To stand herein is to go back ; stand not therefore but walk in the way of the Lord .

VI . Consider these Three Things Past , the Evil you have Committed , the Good you have Omitted , and the Time you have Mis-spent .

VII . Consider these Three Things Present , the Shortness of this Life , the Difficulty of being Born a-new by the Spirit , and the Smalness of Christ's Flock .

VIII . Consider these Three Things to Come , Death , than which Nothing is more Dreadful , unless you take out its Sting ; Judgment , than which Nothing can be more Terrible , unless you Judge your Self before ▪ Hell , than which Nothing can be more Intolerable , unless you Quench the Fire of it Kindled in your Breast .

IX . Three Times there are which you must not lose ; when you see any one do a Vertuous Deed , you must not be Careless of Learning to Practice it ; whenever an Opportunity of doing a Good Action presents it self , catch it fast , let it not slip for all the World ; whenever an Occasion of doing Ill presents it self , guard your self with the fear of God , and lose not a Triumph .

X. God has Communicated himself wholly to you ; do you Communicate your Self wholly to your Neighbour : And when you do any thing for another , do it with the same Zeal as if you did it for your Self .

XI . That 's the Best Life which is wholly Imploy'd to the Benefit of others : Esteem not of Life any further than as it is serviceable and useful to the World .

XII . Think not with your Self what you have , but rather what you want . Be not Proud for what you have received , but be Humble for what you have abused .

XIII . Whatever you desire to have , ask it of God : Whatever you have already , attribute it wholly to God . As soon as you begin to find Nothing in your Self , you shall begin to find all Things in God .

XIV . Withdraw your Self while you can , and as much as you can from the World : As far as you are withdrawn from it , so much nearer are you drawn to God .

XV . Look not on Religion as a System of Orthodox Notions , or as a Rubrick of Forms , much less as a Charm laid to draw such and such Sinners into Heaven , but as an Inward Spirit , or Life , which enlivens and governs the true Christian , in performance of whatsoever is suitable to his high Birth and Condition .

XVI . Give not the least Quarter to any Corrupt Affection ; lest a Spark break out into a Fire , and consume you before you are aware : Above all thing , take heed not to Consecrate your Vices , or to Hallow the Corruptions of the Satanical Life , taking them for Christian Graces . Christen not that Holy Zeal , which is Bitter Wrath ; or that Christian Severity , which is Sullenness or Pride ; or that Humility , which is Cowardice ; or that Courage , which is an Affront offer'd to Superiours .

XVII . Take Care that you be not found in the Root and Principle of Hell , if you are afraid of its Flames : Take Care that you be found in the Root and Principle of Heaven , if you expect to partake of its Joys . Be sure to try your Root , and let not Luciser in you , transform himself into an Angel of Light .

XVIII . Use your Self to think on God as always Present ; thus thinking on him , you will in some sort behold him ; thus beholding him , you will become Like to him .

XIX . Render your Self worthy of Him who has vouchsafed for to own you for his Child ; and remember in all your Deeds , that you have God for your Father . Never forget the High Character you bear .

XX . Begin every Thing that you do with God ; End every Thing with him ; and let the Thought of him and his Name , be as Familiar and Natural to you as your Breathing .

XXI . Strive To be , what you would be thought to be : As you desire to appear in the Day of Judgment , so appear at this present in the sight of God . Strive to be Great in Him , and Great in your Self : Strive to be greater than what you appear to others : Let the World be deceiv'd no otherwise in you , than they are in the Stars of Heaven .