only friendship which is stronger than death and those the friends whose fortunes are embarqued in the same bottom who are resolved to sink and swim together XX. My friend is as it were my self there is but one soul in two bodies neither am I more my own than my friends I have nothing but what is his what I have he hath if he will he may command both me and mine XXI Whatever thou dost do quickly it may be too late to tarry for leasure want of a power follows want of will delayes are dangerous what thou art unfit for to day perchance to morrow thou wilt be more unfit besides who can call another moment his I will dispatch what I have to do lest something be left undone I had rather want work than time and finish too soon than be surprized XXII There are many not worthy of light on whom the Sun shines prosperity is oft-times the portion of the basest of men there is no judging by appearance all is not gold that glisters a Dunghil will stink still let me be a flower though I grow in the shade Providence appoints the place what is good for others may be bad for me XXIII Necessity is no friend to freedom there is no liberty where there is no remedy I will come under the least obligation possible and act by choice not constraint what is forced is not thank-worthy that which is free is only kindly I will have my hand observe my heart then shall I do what I will while I will but what I do XXIV As the Furnace tryes the Gold so misery proves the man his suffering shews his strength troubles are the only tryals the resolution is known by the opposition the patience by the pain XXV I never thought him happy who thought himself miserable the mind is the man if another hath what I can be without what is he the better or I the worse while he wants more and I less he is not happy that enjoyes but that doth not desire Satisfaction lies not in Addition but Substraction A Monarch may be miserable but content is more than a Kingdom I can be what I will while I will be what I can XXVI Socrates passing through the Market cryes out How much is here I do not need Nature is content with little Grace with less Poverty lies in opinion what is needful is soon provided and enough is as good as a Feast I am worth what I do not want my occasions being supplied what would I do with more XXVII The fear of Death is worse than Death it self it is better to be dead than alwayes dying give me the man that dares to dye that opens his breast boldly and bids to Death defiance that can welcom the King of Terrors and look him in the face with a smile I will account my last enemy my best friend who shews me my Crown when almost spent and helps me to what I fought for XXVIII They may kill but cannot hurt 'T was the saying of Seneca when doomed to dye and it argued a brave Heroick spirit Whom need a Christian fear whose life is hid with Christ he is out of Gun-shot the reach of men and Devils whatever happens nothing harms him to kill him is the greatest kindness you send him but to Heaven the sooner XXIX I have read of a Phylosopher that being pounded in a Morter bid his Tormentors in derision beat on the Sack of Anaxarchus he looked on the body but as the bag and knew the treasure was secure it matters not what becomes of the Casket when the Jewel 's safe and what though the shell be crack't when the kernel is whole and untoucht it were below me to shrink or look pale at any thing when Heathens can bear torments with a smooth brow if they can be so valiant it were a shame for a Christian to be a Coward XXX He fights with a shadow that fights with a Saint who can neither be hit nor hurt a Christian walks invisible and is invulnerable you strike at you know not what the stone falls short it never comes near him XXXI In living as in swimming the lesser luggage the better why should I then repine to be eased of what doth hinder perchance if I had not lost I had been lost it is a mercy in a shipwrack to escape naked what I lament might have drowned me XXXII Opportunity comes neither often nor continues long it is good striking while the Iron is hot to lose the occasion is the loss of all I will endeavour to take the fittest time for every action lest I should slip the season I cannot promise my self any other opportunity than the present I will hoise Sail while the wind is fair XXXIII Fortune does often favour the most daring Nothing venture nothing have desperate designs many times succeed and things beyond hope happen I have known strange results of a resolution while some have sought death they have found both life and glory I will look before I leap then leap at all he is a Coward that will shun the Combat where the Crown countervails the Conquest XXXIV It is uncertain how the Evening proves who knows whether the Sun will shine at setting it sometimes goes down clear and sometimes in a cloud there is no depending on what is doubtful since I cannot foresee what may fall out I will provide for that I cannot prevent that I may bring my mind to my condition when I cannot my condition to my mind XXXV Divine wrath proceeds to punish by degrees but makes amends for its slowness with its severity the longer the blow is fetching the sorer is the stroke abused patience turns to fury forbearance is no acquittance I had rather fear before I feel than feel before I fear XXXVI He hath every thing that desires nothing a contented mind is richer than Croesus or then the Indies this turns all we touch to gold and is the only pearle of price more worth than a World He is the happy man that can see and scorn who does not covet but contemns and hath at home what others seek abroad what doth he not enjoy who enjoyes himself XXXVII Satisfaction lies in proportion and in propriety without both there can be no content what is not fit or not our own will never make us happy that serves best that sutes best is most comfortable and most comely I will shape my Last to my foot a Shooe too big is uneasie and too little pinches what matches the mind must likewise be the mans or all is nothing I may starve for famine while another hath food to spare what is that to me which is not mine XXXVIII That which is ill-gotten is usually ill-spent a covetous Father hath commonly a prodigal son what the one rakes the other scatters he that knows not how to get knows not how to keep lightly come will lightly go what is gained by ill means is spent in an ill manner
subject to this arrest as the poorest Peasant the Grave is the general meeting place it matters not much who get thither first whither all are going and where all meet all the days of my appointed time will I wait till my change comes LVIII There is nothing in the world but death certain we know whither we are bound but what may befall us in our voyage we do not know it does not always blow alike we are sometimes up and sometimes down seldome steer steddy yet we still sail to the same Port though not by the same Point what uncertainty am I at that can neither find out what degree I am in nor judge at my course by my Compass since I cannot be sure I will not be secure LIX He that hath least trouble lives best a quiet life is the only life what content can there be in a crowd it is sad being at Sea in a storm a hurry of business makes but our passage the more boisterous I would neither be idle nor much employ'd I do not think the world worth wasting my self or my time a man may get and be a loser Gold may be bought too dear I will delight in what I do and enjoy what I have while others strive for Crowns my mind is to me a Kingdom LX. Pleasure is soon past and oft-times leaves more cause of penitence than of remembrance the sweetest morsels slide down the soonest and the soonest make us sick what is wholesome is seldom toothsome where there is honey there is a sting sorrow is the effect of sin the sweetest Rose hath its prickles there is a bitter sweet in the best state vanity will prove vexation pleasure ends in repentance if not in pain why should I covet what cost too dear it is a bad bargain where the profit will not countervail the pain LXI Use causes custom and custom takes away conscience he that sins often will not know when he sins to do nothing else will make it seem nothing what was at first strange will by degrees become familiar and gets acquaintance by continuance I will endeavour to crush the Cockatrice in the egge a spark is easier quench'd than the flame the best way to prevent a mischief is to stifle sin in its motion I will keep temptation at arms end lest if it get within me I receive the foil and joyning with corruption should carry me captive LXII There is nothing so bitter which a brave mind cannot bear great sufferings sute best with a great spirit a heavy load with a strong shoulder it is not the burden but the back not what is laid on but him that bears it Lord give me what thou commandest and command what thou pleasest if thou callest me to that I never did give me that I never had let one hand be under as the other is upon me that I may carry my crosses chearfully and troubles may not trouble me LXIII The way to Hell is easie there is no difficulty in going down hill it is a plain path that leads to the infernal pit I will not mind my baiting place so much as my journeys end nor the way I go as whither I am going neither complain that it is no better all is well that ends well I am or shall be past the worst and Heaven will make amends for all LXIV It is best to die before thou desirest how many deaths must he die that lives till he desires to die we wish not for the worst and it is more wisdom to prevent than to cure I will not think that can come too soon which may prevent both sin and sorrow I cannot be too soon happy nor rid of sin too soon LXV That which an Age was building is not an hour destroying what famous Fabricks the work and wonder of many Ages have been soon consumed to ashes some Cities lie buried in their ruines and nothing of some to be seen here is no abiding City I will seek that which is above whose builder and maker is God LXVI Vices are learn'd without a Master weeds need no sowing what grows wild will grow alone nature will nourish her own which she both produces and provides for without the help of Art while what is good is gain'd by sweat and pains I will the least value what cost the least trouble and comes without care as knowing Gold is got with difficulty and Pearls with pain but Pebbles are in every place LXVII I will account that my Country where I am well why should I be confind suppose I be not where I was born what was in my Parents power is now in mine I am left to my own liberty to pitch where I please what folly were it to restrain my self who am not obliged to persons or to place why should not my body be as free as my mind and neither Sea nor Land can bound my thoughts let narrow souls take up with a narrow room the world is my Country where-ever I am I shall think my self every where at home LXVIII The greatest happiness consists in a mans own will and it is in his own power to make himself happy felicity lies in fancy he was a brave fellow that thought all the Ships that came to Athens were his own who so rich as he I am as I esteem my self it matters not though I have not of my own when what another hath is mine LXIX Moderation in prosperity argues a great mind to keep an even course when all Sails draw shews the Ship to be well ballasted I will not value my self by what I have but by what I am the change of my condition shall never change me whatever alters yet will not I this shall be my Motto Still the same LXX This is the miserable condition of mankind we are born one way but dye many how many thousand casualties are we subject to the least whereof might prove as mortal as Goliah's Spear no creature so contemptible which cannot kill us what a strange uncertainty are we at that are sure of nothing we daily walk over many Graves and carry our lives in our hands since I know my sentence I will prepare my self not knowing but the next accident may prove the Executioner LXXI He that cannot hope let him not despair many things fall out which could not be foreseen and who can tell what may happen why should I give my self for gone it may clear up at noon or in the afternoon after a storm comes a calm a foul morning may prove a fair day but if my case be concluded and my sun be to set in a cloud it is but withdrawing for a while in the Grave all is close and still I shall there be well though no where else let it rain or blow or what it will it shall neither wet nor awake me LXXII That grief is light which is capable of counsel it is a good sign to see the plaister at the sore the wound is worst that
thy provision hinder his employment two getters is little enough for one spender besides 't is good to walk with a Horse in ones hand and he stands surest that hath something to uphold him LXXIV Behave thy self so in thy family that those below thee may both love and fear thee be not too familiar with thy servants neither let them be privy to thy secrets This were to change the relation and make thy self the servant and those whom thou darest not displease will dare to displease thee Keep a distance with discretion that others may know their places do thou know thine LXXV Be not imperious yet keep the staffe in thy own hand let them rather see thy power than feel it least while they fear it they hate thee such will never do thy work well unless when thy eye is upon them and who would be such a slave to servants Choose those that will be careful without chiding and delight to see them chearful in their business and to do it with delight LXXVI Provide for their support and maintenance let them not want in their work be punctual likewise in their pay their wages is their due when their work is done the labourer is worthy of his hire if he deserve better encourage thy servant in well-doing this will engage him for the future to do well in thy contract leave something to thy choice the advantage is double in what thou givest above the bargain LXXVII Let not their business be a bondage their restraints ought to be reasonable allow some time to unbend the bow there is a time to labour and a time to loyter be not unmerciful to thy Beast much less to thy servant consider him as a man and more as a Christian allow him rest and recreation proportionable to his employment LXXVIII As thou art accountable be careful of thy charge thou hast a double trust of soul and body both if either miscarry a reason will be required and thou must answer it The great Master minds his meanest servant all stand in a like capacity to him he hath no respect of persons thou and those below thee now will soon stand upon even ground LXXIX Reckon thy servants among thy children the difference is only in degrees both make up the oeconomy thou art the father of the family a wise servant is better than a foolish child cast him not off in old age when he hath spent himself in thy service a faithful servant does well deserve to be accounted amongst thy friends LXXX Rebuke in private publick reproof hardens and he is most prone to offend who is past shame rather than to be alwayes chiding rid thy hands of such a servant better do thy work thy self than to have such ado to have it done if he be at mans Estate strike him not blows become neither thee nor him LXXXI Keep no more servants than needs must many by their footmen had been unhorsed Let thy Revenue exceed thy Retinue why should others consume thee look upon thy servants as sharers with thy prosperity if thy condition be clouded and a storm threatned they will soon leave thee for shelter I have read of an extravagant respect of some but a Swallow or two do's not make a Summer fewer servants have dyed for their Masters than there have been Masters by their servants undone LXXXII Be not hasty in the choice of a friend but slower in the changing fix not thy affections suddenly but where thou dost fix fasten constancy is the unseparable companion of friendship whereas to waver is a crime unpardonable try before thou trust and never question after tryal thou canst not wrong thy friend more than to suspect him LXXXIII Do nothing to displease God and let nothing he does displease thee let there be but one will between him and thee and his thine behave thy self as in his eye and in his audience he is witness and he is Judge if thou hast offended punishment is thy due thou hast no reason to repine when justly beaten whatever the sentence is it is no less just than severe if thou wouldst escape the stroak shun the sin LXXXIV Read thy own mortality in the monuments of dead men as they are thou must be they are gone and thou art going their Bell is rung out and thine is tolling a little while and thy place shall know thee no more the Grave is ready for thee and Death stands at the door he is knocking now and ere long will force his entrance Do what thou hast to do that before thou dyest thou may'st have done Dispatch lest thou beest prevented live to dye that thou may'st but dye to live LXXXV Compare what thou hast received with what thou hast deserved and thou wilt see thy sorrows have been fewer than thy sins it might have been worse if not here yet in Hell a living man hath no reason to complain it is mercy thou art capable of mercy that judgment is not pronounced a reprief is more than thou deservest what then is a pardon afflictions are but fleabites it is a favour to be burnt in the hand when the crime merits a Halter LXXXVI Intend a publick good rather than a private the gain on every side will be greater and the greatest thine thou canst not effect a general good without doing thy self good that which is beneficial to the whole cannot be prejudicial to any part be not of a scanty spirit thou art not born for thy self the whole Creation claims a share it were monstrous a particular interest should outweigh the world LXXXVII Think not thy friends departed to be lost they are only sent before they have dispatched their Journey whil'st thou art jogging on the storm still beats on thee but they are housed what thou hast in thine eye they have in their hand they have got the Crown and thou art yet to conquer thy Robes are red but theirs white they have finished their Voyage and are landed but thou must keep the Sea All tears are wiped from their eyes while thy cheeks are bedewed with tears mourn not for them but for thy self they are so much the more happy as the sooner LXXXVIII If thou wouldst avoid sin avoid the occasion it is easier to shun the temptation than to resist it come not near the pitch lest thou be defiled keep out of harms way it is no discretion to dally with danger the Fly singes her wings by playing with the flame Depend not upon thy own strength many have lost their power by their presumption better be careful than confident it is hard standing in a slippery place and a rare thing not to deny Christ in the High Priests Hall Take heed of nibling at the bait lest the Hook catch thee Shut thine eyes till the temptation is past it is not enough to be fortified with a resolution so was Alipius yet when he looked he liked Thou hast to do with a subtle tempter what he cannot do by
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
Death spares not sexes sorts nor sizes all are alike to him who dispatches all what though my Cottage be convenient I must turn out why then should I fix my affection where I cannot fix my habitation LXVII Did not my Conscience convince me I might wonder what need Philip had of a Monitor with his Memento mori it is strange that we living among Tombs should forget to dye every creature may serve for a remembrancer to mind us of what we are made of besides those sad spectacles still in view which are more lively emblems of mortality methinks we may hear them say as you are so were we as we are you must be LXVIII What a bustle do some men make who are snatched away of a sudden in the midst of their pride and folly the stir they keep upon the stage and in an instant the Curtains drawn and their part is done the Prince must put off his Robes and he who thought a World too little hath but his length of ground LXIX I have observed those are nearest their end who have obtained their ends when what was proposed is performed and men begin to please themselves then Death steps in and divides stakes it is best to sit loose from every thing to be indifferent in what we do enjoy why should we promise and expect to be disappointed LXX How does experience disprove the Proverb That stollen goods are sweet the little satisfaction to be found in an unlawful pleasure in the fruition there is a reflection which takes off the edge of our appetite and blunts our joy what content can there be in that for which Conscience smites I will reckon within the Hive there are stings as well as honey sin will end in sorrow Lord when I am tempted to that which is not warrantable let me consider the cost and see whether the account will bear it shall I delight in that which concludes in grief and groans why should I buy Repentance at so dear a rate LXXI As the Tree falls so it lies as Death leaves us so judgment finds us how should we gird up our selves when at the end of the Race is either Heaven or Hell and there is no setting out again should we miscarry novv vve are lost for ever it vvill be too late to mend that had need to be vvell vvhich is but once done I do not think there is another space to live our lives over I vvill therefore act as for Eternity as one that hath but a cast for all I pity those vvho put their Repentance to hazard of a Purgatory supposing there vvere such a place it vvere better to pay our debts than to go to Prison LXXII It vvas a smart saying of the Pirate to Alexander I am accounted a Thief because vvith one Vessel I rob a sevv vvhilst you that with your Army vvaste all are called by another name that is theft in a private person vvhich makes a Prince a Conqueror the one comes to the Gallovvs by the same means the other gets glory not but he vvhose thefts are greatest must needs be the greatest thief neither is he less deserving punishment that steals by day than he that steals by night this is the reason the revvard is not the same vvhere there is no lavv there is no transgression LXXIII By much laughter thou mayst knovv a fool it deforms the face and no less the mind a great spirit is not easily moved nor a solid substance soon stirred it is the unballasted Vessel that mounts with every wave to be suddenly affected argues a frothy spirit it shews little discretion sometimes to express our joyes I have known some whose wit hath exceeded their wisdom so tickled with their own conceits that while they would in a Jest be counted witty have given occasion to be in earnest taxed of folly LXXIV More than enough is poyson nature is soon satisfied too much meat does but clog and oppress the stomack what is not necessary to keep alive does but hurt and destroy a million more dyes of surfet than of hunger more by food than famine as the Troculus serves the Crocodile so death serves us it usually goes in at our mouths that kills us LXXV Drink not to intemperancy too much liquor will put out the fire besides other effects of drunkenness which is both a sin and shame what will he not do who knows not what he does and how much is it below a man to unman himself what more unseemly sight than to see a beast in humane shape nay a beast is not so unreasonable LXXVI The abuse does not hinder the use of any thing in its self lawful the best may be abused and the best corrupted proves worst as the sweetest Wine makes the sowrest Vineger there is nothing good but in its season I will look to the time as much as to the thing as that may be bad to another which is not so to me so neither may it be alwayes bad LXXVII In things indifferent it is good to deny our selves all that is lawful may not be expedient it is more safe not to make use sometimes of our liberty than to go to the last link none but a fool will come as near danger as he can a wise man will keep at a distance who knows the force of a temptation it is hard to turn in a narrow Room he that will do all he may will soon do more besides I verily believe most men lose themselves in lawful things and are undone in doing that which may be done it is not enough a thing is good if not good for me a circumstance may alter the case and make an action sinful LXXVIII He that lies upon the ground can fall no lower this is the security of a mean condition it is without fear of changes it may be better but cannot well be worse the shrub cannot fall far happen what will he that is poor is safe he shrowds himself under his own obscurity and is guarded by his poverty let Wind or Tyde or both turn it cannot injure him LXXIX The punishment thou deservest bear patiently it were injustice to repine if justly punished blame none but the crime and thy self thou hast thy due what wouldest thou then desire there is no reason thou shouldst have either less or more the penalty bearing proportion with the offence what fault can the offender find LXXX If thy suffering be undeserved be not only patient but chearful kiss the Rod and bid the affliction welcom scorn to flinch when thou seest the blow it were a shame to stir or startle if thou dost suffer for well-doing do not grieve but glory it is matter of joy and triumph consider but from whom it comes for what and for whom I will take all in good part that comes from my Father as it comes to me in love why should I be troubled at that which is for my good or what I endure for him I know my Cross
festers no trouble like to that which is felt not seen the disease that seizes the heart is most dangerous I am resolved my sorrows shall not enter past skin deep why should my mind be concerned in all that concerns me this may be my remedy in every malady to retire home and it is but keeping the door shut and the wind cannot enter so that if I suffer I may thank my self LXXIII All things here run round there is nothing new under the Sun what is was or may be the wheel is still turning that which is past will come about again I will not wonder at what I see it is no more than what hath been before let my case be what it will I am neither first nor last others have drank of the same cup and some will pledge me LXXIV Small things through concord are encreased but discord destroys all peace produces plenty but variance want I like not those Salamanders whose Element is the Fire if possible I would live peaceably with all men quietnesse is the greatest happinnesse I will strive neither to give nor to take offence but carry my self as circumspectly as I can thaâ— there may be no occasion of contention eitheâ— from me or them LXXV What is past cannot be recall'd Time is ball'd behind millions will not fetch back the last moment gone once and ever gone the stream runs but returns no more the Clock never strikes backward if the Glasse be turned up again it is for another hour how prodigal have I been of that which both the Indies cannot buy Lord make me more thrifty of my time lest what I have lost I lack I have done but little night draws on and there is no working in the Grave whither I am going LXXVI There is no pleasure but by continuance ceaseth to be a pleasure too much of one thing is good for nothing honey may become loathsom choice gives content to be confin'd marres all the daintiest dish if always fed on proves unsavoury the sweetest Wine will turn sowre the softest bed to lie on long will be uneasy there is no satisfaction in any single comfort I long and loath and love again this is the life I lead hence I conclude creatures cannot give content I will go farther and fare better LXXVII Is any outward affliction befallen thee snarle not at the stone but see the hand that threw it look upward and look inward it is the Father corrects his Child know thy fault from feeling blame none but him thou mayest thy self and thank thy folly learn instruction from correction kisse the Rod and take heed thou beest not beaten for stubbornnesse welcom the message and the messenger shall be discharged LXXVIII Is thy Estate gone it was anothers before thine and what wonder it is now anothers who can hinder what will away grieve not for that thou couldest not keep but get that thou canst not lose perchance if thou hadst not lost thou hadst been lost think of thy deliverance as well as of thy damage however it were childish to complain hast thou lost what thou hadst thou mayest have what thou hast lost but if it be not recoverable why should'st thou vex thy self for nothing and make thy draughts more tart with thy tears LXXIX Art thou banished or imprisoned all places are alike to a wise man he scorns to be confined neither seas nor walls can binder him what if thy body be bounded thy mind is free when abroad at home though I leave my place I do not leave my company my best friend will not leave me and what do I not enjoy whilst I enjoy my God and my self LXXX Do reproaches trouble thee slight what thou canst not shun despise what thou dost not deserve concern not thy self with their cattle what is that to thee it were a folly to mind the yelping of every Curre what is the Moon the worse for the Dogs barking let Rabshecaies rail and Shimeies slaunder I would value it no more than the wagging of a straw shall every scratch ranckle consider it is the common fate of good men to be ill spoken of this serves for a foil to thee the filth will blow back into their own faces LXXXI Art thou sick it is but the flesh that feels it is the body only upon the bed the soul is free not subject to disease but suppose a sympathy between such friends yet consider the Potion that makes thee sick does thee the most good thou hast to do with a wise Physician who knows when to use Corrosives and when Cordials he prescribes to the nature of the distemper no more than necessary no less than will work the Cure besides the disease sometimes proves the remedy LXXXII Do things go ill with Church or State a common calamity is best born if thou canst not divert the plague endeavour to secure thy self take shelter for a while storms will be spent or else be past should the ship miscarry a planck might conveigh thee to shore but why shouldst thou fear the Vessel when God guides the Helm let him alone to steer at Sea thou mayest look for change of weather keep thou close in thy Cabbin what hast thou to do to meddle steering belongs not to the Passenger but to the Pilot. LXXXIII Hath death deprived thee of thy dearest friends thou art following as fast as thou canst their glass is run thine is running their bell rings out and thine is towling bear with their absence but a while you are not like to be long asunder and what though parting be bitter a meeting will make amends LXXXIV Hast thou lost a good Wife it is for her good thy loss is her gain it is better being in Heaven than here she hath finish'd her course and got her Crown storms still beat on thee but she is housed thou art working she is paid what thou hast in propriety she hath in possession mourn no more it is incongruous to grieve for one in glory save thy tears for thy self thou mayest need them not she if this will not suffice yet chear up for shame consider as thou wert a husband so thou art a man LXXXV Is thy Son dead no marvel thou didst beget him mortal flowers are sometimes pluck'd before they are blown Graves are not all of a size no age will exempt from death it is more wonder thou hast lived so long than that he dyed so young what though the fruit falls when the tree stands LXXXVI Art thou afraid of death be more familiar and thou wilt less fear it thou cam'st upon condition to return and is not home to be desired death is but a dirty lane that leads to our Fathers house what though body and soul part both are safe and the better part happy is the weary traveller loath to rest doth the souldier like to be besmear'd with sweat and blood death welcomes me first with victory and helps me to what I fought for LXXXVII Is it