it lest I enter the lists naked I will expect and I shall the better withstand the shock what though the Sea be smooth the wind may rise of a sudden a Calm is the fittest time to get my tackling ready against ensuing storms XCVI It is a comfort in misery to have a companion good company makes foul way fair besides the stream being divided is the less violent a burden is better born by two than by a single shoulder yet would I not desire anothers misery though it make me the less miserable I had rather suffer alone than have a partner in sin and suffering XCVII Ask forgiveness where thou hast offended it is more base to do an injury than to beg pardon it is ingenuity to acknowledge but to persist argues a froward spirit and makes the crime double it were a shame should the wronged party seek for peace the fault I have committed I will not think it below me to confess why should I engage in a bad cause there is no necessity I must be a Coward or not a Christian XCVIII Where the wrong is mutual and both too blame let each condescend to other and meet half way set injury against injury and the account is balanced and if so it were as good to give a general discharge as to receive and pay why should there be a difference when the fault is equal it is a folly to fall out for nothing there needs no more but to shake hands and friends blowing will not quench the fire when the enmity is over what matter who strikes sail first if one must why not I why should I be conquered by courtesie and let another prove himself the better man XCIX It is natural to erre but to persist therein Devilish we have our dark side as well as our bright our night as well as day the clearest-sighted may be mistaken the worst is when the mistake is maintained I have known some convinced of their sin yet will not confess for shame Conscience must give way to credit if I am out of my way it were better I went back than go on wrong I had rather be accounted a fool by others than find I had fooled my self I may be weak I will not be wilful C. A publick offence requires a publick acknowledgment others must be satisfied as well as thy self I have seen how some can leap from one extream to another with the greatest ease and without the least regret as if whatever cause they undertook must be therefore good I will not think much to recant when I have cause to repent he that escapes the penalty may well undergo the pennance CENT III. I. WHere there is no necessity launch not forth any farther than thou mayst return before the storm takes thee how many might have rid securely in the Harbor who by putting to Sea have suffered shipwrack to be too forward to engage thy self in danger is to be fool-hardy be not concerned with what concerns not thee consider the call as well as the cause who is to do what is to be done run not before thou art sent it is good sleeping in a whole skin II. If endeavours will not do it is best to give way awhile and stay for a fitter season take shelter till the rain is over clouds will be distilled or dispelled if thou canst not row against the stream cast Anchor and tarry till the Tyde turns the Wind may come about though now it be full against thee there is more skill and no less valour seen in making a good retreat than in fighting it is better to retire than to be routed he that flies may fight again to day may be anothers to morrow may be thine III. Pluck not a Coal from the Altar lest it fire thy Nest take heed of medling with the Churches Patrimony it were impious to alienate any thing given to pious uses once devoted the Donor hath not power to alter much less hast thou yea what was in him superstition would be in thee sacriledge IV. Play not with Scripture it is dangerous jesting with edge Tools do not sport with what is Sacred to make the Bible thy past-time were both sinful and saucy reverence Gods Word as the Word of God to deride the message were to scoff at him that sent it be not too bold with thy betters more manners would become thee better V. In matters of moment be sure thou art alwayes serious inconsideration may be of ill consequence it is good to look before you leap lest you leap and fall resolve not rashly lest you repent at leasure weigh all circumstances with the thing thou intendest and reckon upon what may as well as upon what should be endeavour nothing but what is feasible and before thou engagest on any design ask thy self this question What if it be not effected it were folly to run a hazard where the profit will not countervail the danger the pearle may not be worth the price gold may be bought too dear compare conveniencies with the inconveniencies and see whether the honey be worth the stinging VI. Be not over-wise in thy own conceit this were to proclaim thy self a fool besides the dangerous effects of so great a folly how many depending upon their own strength have run headlong into ruine and undone themselves presumption precedes peril the danger is nearest when least thought of I will suspect my own wisdom lest I hazard my reputation with wise men and by refusing help whilst I choose to stand alone I chance to fall unpitied VII Abhor pride lest all abhor thee there is nothing so insufferable as a proud person he cannot admire himself more than others detest and scorn him if a Tempest rises he hath no Port to friend nor no Anchor the Ship had need be tite and well provided of tackling that must weather out the storm it is the highest policy to be low and humble in a high place and great preferments there is no way like this to stay thee in the state thou art nor more probable to help thee if the Tyde turn if others are below thee be thou below thy self VIII Kill sin in its conception before it comes to the birth quench the fire while it is but a spark a spark may flame it is dangerous to dally with lust that may overmaster thee which might have been easily mastered if taken in time jest not with the knife lest thou cut thy fingers make not sin thy sport for fear it prove a snare do not slight the most seemingly contemptible enemy I will account the first motion to evil evil and crush the Cockatrice in the Egge what a monstrous off-spring comes of a corruption and temptation IX Buy not Repentance too dear he that sins upon the easiest terms hath no cause to brag of his bargain how little soever it cost him he will find himself a loser when the Account is ballanced I envy not those who pay for their pain
is the most content in a mean condition a great Estate is a great burden vvhat care does it cost in keeping and he that hath most hath no more than he enjoyes besides the trouble I am of his mind vvho desired neither riches nor poverty betvveen both is best there is more tranquillity more security I vvould not be soo lovv lest I am trod on nor too high lest I fall let me not be exposed to contempt nor vvant content till I envy others LIV. Do not depend upon prosperity nor yet despair vvhen things go cross he that sails vvith a fresh and fair gale cannot tell but the vvind may turn here is nothing constant but inconstancy suppose it be not overcast sometimes it rains and the Sun shines yet a man may be so provided as not to fear a shovvre vvhatever the Weather is I vvill keep my Coat about me if it be vvell novv it may be vvorse and if it is not so vvell as it vvas it may be better than it is LV. Hast thou an ill-hand dealt mend it by thy play he hath no reason to complain that vvins the game a little stock vvell-husbanded may amount to a great Sum and vvhat matter vvhere thou hast it vvhether it vvere given or gotten vvhere Providence hath not provided a man is his ovvn purvior and if he please may please himself I have known a smoke blown to a flame and seen the fire go out some have brought their pence to pounds and others a Noble to nine pence LVI The low Cottage stands surer than the lofty Turrets less liable to wind and weather Riches have been a snare to many who have lost for them themselves a fair Estate is but the fairer mark the bigger Butt to shoot at the tall Cedar may come down when the shrub keeps its station I have seen the surly Oak fall while the Reed stands LVII Steer not by the stars though they may govern thee yet God governs them it is true the heavenly have an influence upon the earthly bodies and the effect does naturally follow the cause from such a principle such a product yet there is no rule without exception and things are oft-times diverted by over-ruling power the stream does not alwayes keep its course and channelâ— much must be allowed to emergencies and contingencies I wonder at the boldness of some men who dare to pry into secrets and take upon them to discover Decrees as if they knew the mind of God and were of his Cabinet-counsel they tell you they have their tydings from the stars as if the stars told tales LVIII There are none so insolent as those who are advanced from nothing set a Beggar on Horse-back and he will ride he domineers most who rises from the Dunghill his condition being in the extream his mind cannot keep a mean and he can never rule right who cannot rule himself there is no slavery so intolerable as to be subject to a vile person I do not like the Thistle should sway the Scepter LIX He cannot be proud that thinks either what he was or will be whatever may raise us up yet dust will keep us down and dust we are in composition and shall be in dissolution the best is but refined earth but earth at best beauty is but skin-deep within is filth and putrefaction a fair outside but fill'd with ashes the most despised creature is of the same clay with me if I am put to a nobler use it is the Potters pleasure the mettal is the same though I be better burnished we are alike in the lump and shall be when we are broken if I look but to my feet the Peacock will let fall his Plumes I will endeavour to learn what I am and to remember what I learn let me never forget my Maker nor my self LX. The Bee sucks honey out of a stinking Weed and the Chymist will extract gold out of a baser mettal a wise man will gain by every thing his enemies Weapon shall save his life the Physitian makes a potion of a Vipers it is not impossible to get good out of evil neither is the good the worse why should I value the pearle the less for being in a Toads head LXI Rather sin thy self than cause another to sin of two evils choose the least he is the greatest Traytor that engageth others in the Treason the guilt is aggravated where the crime is compounded to sin alone is less a sin it is a treble offence where I force it single in the person I compell but double in my self it is a bad bargain where both are losers LXII It is a saying more common than commendable He knows not how to live that knows not how to dissemble though there are few so impudent to plead for it many by their practice approve it how is cheating grown a custom to flatter is to be in the fashion who can tell the heart by the hand or tongue most men row one way and look another I do not condemn discretion nor think I am bound to speak the truth at all times nor all the truth but my intention must be good it is the end that mends or marrs the action and though plain dealing should dye a Beggar yet honesty will at last be found the best policy LXIII Alwayes be doing something be never idle rather do and undo than do nothing it is better to pick straws than to blow thy fingers but none can want work but they who want will I fear those whose time is now a burden will have too much cause to call back time I will not lose a day lest I want what I lose LXIV It is in living as in sailing whether I sit or walk wake or sleep I still make some way towards my Harbour my Glass is running my Taper burning whether to work by or to waste my time spends however I spend my time LXV What uncertainties are poor creatures at who are sure of nothing not of themselves we and ours are still in motion tending to a center and conclusion whatever hath a being either decayes or dyes but this is worst of all we sometimes lose our comforts before we leave them they are taken and we are left to lament their loss who can tell what a day may bring forth what alterations have I seen in a lesser space I have seen it clear and in an instant overcast the Wind may soon come about and the Tyde as soon turn the World rings changes it is a poor content which is plac'd in what is perishing and subject to casualty or corruption Lord let me love what I can neither lose nor over-love LXVI It is decreed all must dye some are gone we are going and the rest must go there is no repealing this sentence nor from it any appeal neither is the Executioner to be bribed he scorns Crowns and Scepters when the Warrant is signed thou art a dead man neither tears nor prayers will serve thy turn
the same will not serve the principle is expected with the improvement every year must have its encrease thy sum will be the greater the more thou hast and the longer why should I tarry that must account for my time Lord fit me for thee and take me to thee take my heart and then take me I would be with thee were I but untyed if my work be done or may be by another I am desirous to be discharged I came from thee and shall be restless till I come to thee XLV Love God for himself and other things for him use the creature to enjoy God thou mayest see the Potter in the Clay in his workmanship admire his wisdome let every thing be in subordination to him there is no reason for a Rival he will be paramount his power claims that prerogative deny him not his due he made thee Lord over other creatures that he might be Lord over thee and them they serve thee that thou maist serve him XLVI Look upon every action of thy life to be a matter of moment and be well advised in what thou dost do not delay yet deliberate propose ponder and then proceed undertake nothing rashly and go through with what thou undertakest let the executative part be dispatched as soon as possible lest thou shouldest be too late loyter not after thou art set out for fear thou beest benighted thy work encreases and thy time decreases in a word let thy carriage be as becomes a wise man and a Christian XLVII Be good though thou beest not so accounted if thou canst not satisfie others satisfie thy self whoever accuseth yet let thy conscience clear thee persevere in a good cause though neither thou nor thy cause prospers remember the Crown is given not to them that combat but to them that conquer XLVIII Scruple not to observe those dayes the Church hath celebrated and remember the institution was for imitation rather than recreation besides surfeting cannot please that Saint who pleased God by fasting I cannot wrong Saints departed more than to make their memory the occasion of my sin and shame I will keep therefore Holy-days holy XLIX In every thing look to the end through the means it is not enough God hath promised something on thy part is to be performed make good the condition and he will make good his promise up and be doing man is not such a helpless creature as he imagines he deserves to sink that will not endeavour to save himself neither will desires do thou mayest wish thy heart out and yet want thy wish he that is fallen into a pit may pray and perish L. So live as that thou mayest neither be afraid to dye nor ashamed to live let grace be thy guide to glory to live let it be Christ and and then to dye will be gain deserve well in thy way but desire to be at thy journeys end let not the sight of thy last stage scare thee so act thy part that thou mayest leave the stage with applause and the spectators may clap their hands all my aim is to come bravely off my acting may please others but does not please me LI. Have high thoughts of Heaven yonder twinckling Stars are but the pavement of that House if those be under foot what is over head eye hath not seen nor ear heard what God hath provided for them that love him what is the World but a howling Wilderness to the Coelestial Canaan and yet there is some delight in the Desart From thence draw this deduction If the Out-houses be so stately what is the Palace of the Great King the glory which is reserved and shall be revealed our Cockle-shells are too little to lave that Ocean in which we shall be swallowed up to all eternity if a cluster hath such sweetness what is there in the Vintage the first fruits fall short of the Harvest if a few glimpses of glory which God affords his Servants in their straits be so satisfying how will it be when faith is swallowed up of fruition if praelibations be so pleasing what will it be to drink at the Well-head if we have so much to bear our charges in our journey what shall we meet with at home if there be so much laid out for sinners what is there laid up for Saints when God shall cull his Wheat from the Tares in the day when he makes up his Iewels LII He that is penitent is innocent tears will wash away the foulest spots since I cannot be without sin I would not be without sorrow that which is sweet in the mouth may be bitter in the stomack then shall I fear forbidden fruit when I find my pleasant morsels of such hard digestion it is better not to be sick than cured and Repentance is a Purge I will use it not as food but Physick I wish I could be well without it but Lord where I am not innocent make me penitent LIII It is never too late to do well better now than not at all I will labour the more the more I have loytred that I may fetch up what I have lost and redeem what I cannot recall that as I have hitherto lived to little purpose I may do much in a little time he gets soonest to the Goal not that sets out first but runs fastest LIV. The remembrance of a past labour is sweet the Saylor sings when the storm is over and the weary Traveller when he comes to his Inne will please himself in telling of his toil and trouble what was grievous to undergo may be delightful to review to repeat a past pain is a pleasure I will not so much think of my grief as my glory I shall gain by my tossings when I am landed the worse hath been my passage the more welcome will be my Port. LV. Death will equal all in the Grave there are no degrees rich and poor are there alike it is a place that admits of no priority Bones do not justle who knows the Cedar from the Shrub when both are consumed to ashes there is no distinguishing Dives by his dust it will soon be the same with the beggar and the best mountains must be levell'd with the lowest plains and great ones with the ground LVI What might have been may be that which is past may return it may clear up and be overcast again all things here are still in motion and ebb as well as flow I will so anchor as not to fear when the tide falls to be left on Land it may be worse although it now goes well the wind may turn and the black Clouds that were blown over may be blown back I will provide for what I cannot prevent it is wisdom to foresee the shower LVII Death passeth upon all the slayer follows the slain the Judge as sure as the Condemned dyes the Jaylor as the Prisoner there is no condition is excepted it is a Decree from whence there is no appeal the Prince is as