means but the blessing some toyle to be tantalized when what others touch turns to gold many by their ingenuity have been undone while fortune favours fools XC Let thy Company be such as thou wouldst be thy self conformity is the ground of communion likeness causeth love what sutes serves best besides let him be what he will thou wilt be known by him tell me with whom thou walkest and I will tell thee what thou art can two go together unless they be agreed what fellowship can light have with darkness I will be careful of nothing more than in the choice of my company on which depends both my credit and my comfort I do not approve of that person for a friend whose principles and practice I approve not of if the strings jarre it marrs the Musick I cannot dispute without I dissent and differ which is inconsistent with that affection I bear to my friend XCI He that is false to another may expect others to be so to him and if he suffer he may thank himself he is paid but in his own Coyn had I no other Reason I would be honest lest I teach a knave to play the knave for should I deceive I shew the way how I may be deceived by the same method I injure others they may injure me XCII Nothing more usual than after mirth to be melancholy the day buries it self in darkness mourning must take its turn and sorrow hath its season for every thing there is a time and after laughter the heart is sad give me that joy which ends not in regret nor grief and is sweeter in the stomack than in swallowing that is only worth prizing which is when past a pleasure I vvill not value any thing in vvhich I cannot in the revievv rejoyce XCIII Riches rule the roast money is the only Monarch gold is the Worlds god vvealth vvants not for Worship this is the Lord Paramount the most absolute Prince on Earth and he that is a Favourite is vvise valiant every thing I have blushed sometimes to see a silly Ass to be esteemed for his trappings he is the best man that is mounted though vviser vvalk for my ovvn part I vvill not judge of the Jevvel by the Cabinet vvherever I find vvorth I shall admire and imitate XCIV Cast thine eyes often upon the sorrovvs of others see hovv their Cheeks are bedevved vvith tears look back to them belovv thee consider their case vvhose condition is vvorse than thine hearken to their sighs and grumble if thou canst vvhilest thou hearest them groan vvhat though things go cross and against the hair it is not so bad as it might have been and it may be better XCV An envious man lives languishing and dies living he is sick at the heart and the disease the more dangerous his distemper lies vvithin there are the vultures gnavving nothing vvill do him good but vvhat others have and vvill not part vvith thus does he starve himself many times in a full pasture because he cannot get into his Neighbours field he sees vvhat he vvants and vvants vvhat he sees why should anothers happiness be my torment if he smile must I look pale and wan may we not both be happy XCVI The end Crowns the Action we praise for what is past and clap not hands till the act be over the end is all all is well that ends well Vice may awhile flaunt it but Vertue will bear the Bell this only will hold Water and will not shrink in the wetting what though the way be rugged it is good enough that leads to glory I mind not my Journey but my Journeys end it matters not much what the Morning is the Evening crowns the day XCVII He grieves at last whom a temptation hath deceived the peril may be pleasing but the pain will be piercing sweet meat but soure sauce poyson may be wrap't up in sugar the bait hides the hook I will fear most what I most affect knowing the danger lies in what I love though I do not love the danger I will tye my self as fast by a resolution as Ulysses did his Sailors lest Syrens should shipwrack me if perhaps I scape drowning yet this will be all my reward to reflect upon my folly with grief and shame XCVIII What thou borrowest pay willingly remember it was lent not given on these conditions thou didst receive to return if thou art stinted to a day fail not in thy time lest he that supplied thy occasions want for his own and thou lose thy credit and thy friend besides there is not the same reason that what thou didst ask of him he should ask of thee I have experienced it to be a lesser crime to deny than to demand I expect no thanks for those favours that are not restored till required XCIX It is better to dye once than to be alwayes dying than to live in fear pain or shame I have wondred that to those whose conditions have been thus qualified death should be no more welcom I had rather not be than be miserable where I cannot live let me dye with honour C. There is no Physitian like to a faithful friend Galen cannot cure what Achates can in all my griefs I can go to my friend and ease my self of all whatever is too heavy for me alone he sets to his shoulder and to both it is no burden this we do for each other and without pain to either if our crosses come together and we are both loaded we then discharge our grievances by exchange perchance my back may bear his better and his mine CENT IV. I. WHat the eye doth not see it doth not affect we look and then we like there can be no discovery in the dark and consequently no desiring I were a fool to dote upon that face whose beauty I can wink into blackness and in a moment can cause to vanish I will keep the Casement shut lest what gets into the Window make way for a greater mischief II. Contemn not good counsel though it comes from a contemptible person what hast to do with him his advice concerns thee the best wits have been the basest men some slaves have had great souls the liquor is not the worse for the homeliness of the Vessel gold is no less gold though in a poor mans purse I will take more notice what things are than whence they come a Diamond may be set in Copper the Case is no part of the Jewel it were not in it self the worse why then in my esteem though it came off the Dunghil under a Thread-bare Cloak may be a wise man though he drink water the brain is little beholding either to back or belly III. Thou art sure to dye and perchance to day a greater matter hath been effected in a lesser time I enjoy not my life by Lease and Tennants at will have not alwayes warning what reason have I then to be ready that when I leave this house of Clay I
day indulge not a drowsie temper Wherefore should'st thou waste thy time thou hast not that to spare which thou dost mispend And what thou spendest this way reckon lost Why shouldest thou live but half thy dayes in the Grave there will be enough of sleeping III. Let God be the first and last in thy thoughts close and open thine eyes with him When thou lyest down think that ere long thou shalt be laid lower and let thy rising mind thee of a Resurrection As sleep shews a dying so waking types out a time when the dead shall wake It will not be Night alwayes the Trumpet will sound and the day break methinks I see the Prisoners of Hope stir and jog each other and hear their bones clatter IV. Do all as for Eternity remember there must be an Account given A little while and the Judge will set upon the Bench and the Books shall be brought forth thy present actions will then either acquit or cast thee So behave thy self that thou may'st be bold at the Bar while the condemned Malefactor trembles Take heed lest thy Conscience come not in as a witness against thee Live as if thou wert to merit Heaven and to save thy self yet trust not to thy works to be justified by them be sure to make sure of a pardon V. Be diligent in thy Calling therein thou may'st serve both God and thy self Be not sloathful in business set to whatever thou settest about Do what thou dost in as little time as thou canst and with all thy might what thy hand finds to do Mind thy employment it is not thy pleasure that payes thee but before thou setlest in any way weigh the wages with the work and see how it will turn to Account it is tyresome to toyle for nothing and he that cannot find any fruit of his labour will soon faint VI. Let the Intervales of thy time be well imployed interline the void spaces with works of piety and let not thy particular Calling encroach upon thy general have some time to spend in Gods service give to him what is his and to thy self what is thine there is a time for Devotion and a time for Divertion Learn to know the fittest season for every thing what is out of time is out of tune VII Busie not thy self about Trifles like Domitian in catching Flies or in things that do not concern thee as good do nothing as to no purpose it is a great purchase where thou hast but thy labour for thy pains He is ill employ'd which grasps the water or is sifting sand especially when his work wants him Thou hast enough to do in doing that which must be done it were improvident to put off an important business and when thou needst not to neglect it Dispatch while it is called to day to morrow may not be thine VIII Let thy Recreations be such as sutes best with thy condition and employment and the least expensive either of money or time Buy not thy pleasure too dear the cost will abate the comfort Be not effeminate in thy sports those which are most manly will best become thee yet let them not be too violent lest they prejudice thy health and do thy body harm IX Make not Recreation thy business Thou were not sent into the world as the Leviathan into the Sea to take thy fill of pleasure In the sweat of thy browes thou must eat thy bread and work out thy salvation with fear and trembling Consider on this moment depends Eternity and then be idle if thou canst Thy diligence should be somewhat answerable to the work and to the wages be not content to do a little good or to glorifie God a little besides Heaven deserves thy pains and the Race is got by running he that wins the Crown shall wear it X. Be serious in what concerns the welfare of thy soul make sure of God and glory and never be satisfied till thou canst say that both are thine Be not contented to continue in a Christless state why shouldst thou hang over Hell by a Twine-thread Often ask thy self the question how stands the case between God and thee what evidence thou hast for Heaven Hazard not a happiness at any rate dare not to live as thou dost not dare to dye XI Walk according to Rule and regulate thy actions by right reason Do nothing unseemly and what may shame thy profession or thy self Shun whatever seems scandalous and carries with it but the appearance of evil Set a high value upon thy Reputation better lose thy life than have thy Credit lost Manage thy Affairs with discretion and take heed thou dost not forfeit thy esteem with wise and good men Be not only pious but prudent temper thy zeal with judgment XII Sute thy self to thy state and buckle to a cross condition let not thy mind be higher than thy means but submit to a mean fortune Lower thy Sails in a storm and yield to the time make some potent friend thy Harbour till the Tempest is over The Shrub may shelter it self behind the Cedar Go chearfully away with thy burden and make afflictions no affliction slight what thou canst not shun thou wilt get no good by strugling XIII Be reserved yet courteous in thy carriage let not all that see know thee Be civil to every body but familiar with a few all are not fit for friends Discover not thy self till thou hast discovered what others are and try before thou trust Seem strange in strange company freedom is a folly and incurs a censure Say little let others speak the least harm comes by silence Thou may'st take an advantage by their words which thou givest them by thine XIV Let thy Garb be grave rather rich than gaudy yet not so costly as comely be neither the first nor the last in a fashion none but a conceited fool will be singular Conform in thy Cloaths to the custom of the place wherever thou art Why shouldest thou be wondred at Be not profuse in thy Apparrel but cut thy Coat according to thy Cloth it becomes a Gentleman to have more in his pocket than upon his back yet till thy deserts make thee known the outside will set thee forth and thy Cloaths gain thee credit in the worlds eye but be sure think not the better of thy self for thy fine feathers thou hast reason to think the worse if thy worth be in thy wear it is much more for thy honour that thou didst grace them than they thee XV. Be moderate in thy expences yet be not base know when to spare and when to spend Be generous upon a good occasion but be sure to see whether your Accounts will bear it What thou dost do upon design unless they be Acts of charity or courtesie then hate the thoughts of requital Waste nothing lest thou want profuseness hath made many poor and poverty is worse than death to an ingenuous spirit Live within thy self it is sad to
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
it a Crovvn vvill require my contests and my combats I that sovve in tears shall reap in joy the Harvest vvill pay for all I shall have my wages when working time is done what is in hope shall be in hand red Robes shall put on white no sign of sweat nor blood no more foes no more fighting XVII There is nothing more miserable than man nor more proud what creature so helplesse and so unhappy his body more brittle than that of beasts and his mind in continual trouble I am still subject to sickness and to sorrow diseases and discontents prey upon this carcase like Vultures upon the Carrion what am I but the channel wherein the waters of Marah flow XVIII The fairest flowers do soonest fade beauty is soon blasted that which flourisheth at noon towards night withers there is an end of all perfection all is vanity what is the world but a poor empty thing both in the whole and in every part its pleasures perish and putrefie and that which smells the sweetest decays and dies its profits are only gilded not Gold which rubs off while in your hands as for its honours they are but as smoke a blast ' or bubble I will love nothing much which I cannot love long I find the less I lean upon a brittle staff the longer it keeps from breaking inordinate affection usually causeth sudden separation XIX It is better to endure than to do evil to suffer than to sin the crime is worse than the punishment nothing shall force me to offend why should I displease my God or defile my self besides the hazard I run of Hell I know the worst of what can befall me here but know not what may follow the inconvenience of an after reckoning XX. Innocency is the greatest felicity a good Conscience is a continual feast this is the only musick which makes a merry heart this makes Prisoners sing when the Jaylor trembles it matters not who accuses if I can clear my self there is no Law where there is no transgression yet would I not be guilty were I sure to pass unpunished Conscience might condemn which is both Witnesse Judge and Jury XXI Liberty is a thing inestimable there is nothing in the world of so great a value he must needs be poor who hath not this pearl to be confined is the greatest torment though a Pallace were the Prison a man may be no lesse a prisoner though his fetters were of Gold I cannot but wonder to see some so lightly to esteem their freedome who for preferment will sell themselves for slaves forced to dance attendance when they might command I am free and cannot brook to be bound I had rather loose my life than my liberty why should I be tyed to persons or to place XXII There is nothing more detestable than disgrace nothing more odious than servitude we are born to honour and liberty let us keep these or die with glory my credit is my crown and my liberty my life all were gone should I part with these I would sooner dye than live in shame better it is to dye bravely than to live basely XXIII As thou sowest so thou reapest the seed is the same as to its nature and its quality Corn will continue Corn and Tares will be Tares still he that sows to the flesh shall reap corruption I will mind my Seeds-time as I would find my Harvest knowing as I am now I shall be then if I loyter in the Spring my Crop will be according XXIV Piety is the foundation of vertue where the Spring is polluted the stream cannot be pure and where the ground-work is not good the building is not lasting he does nothing that begins not well that is only praise-worthy which proceeds from a right principle Divinity is a better stock than Morality to graff on little can be expected from depraved nature I do not look for Grapes from Thorns nor Figs from Thistles as is the tree so is the fruit XXV Affect not ostentation covet rather to be good than to appear so imitate the Publican rather than the Pharisee in cheating the world thou wilt cheat thy self let the inside be the better side deserve praise but do not desire it forget what thou art and press forward to what thou shouldest be content not thy self with the measure thou hast attained there is no standing at a stay and while another is better thou mayest mend XXVI Think no sin small the least is a load too heavy for the backs of men and Angels a crime committed against an infinite God deserves to damn thee and what comfort can it be in Hell to consider a small matter hath brought thee thither or might have kept thee thence I will look upon it as an aggravation of the offence to offend for little or nothing besides I may fear lest I count great sins small and little sins none XXVII Promise nothing to your prejudice however perform what you promise no Bond binds like the word of an honest man be careful of engaging and then let thy care be to disengage thy self it matters not though the Obligation be not sealed by an Oath or subscribed by Witness thy Conscience is as a thousand and will put the Bond in Sute it were better pay the Principle than Principle Cost and Charges XXVIII Do not only submit to the Will of God but subscribe likewise to his Wisdome conclude not things go cross when every circle tends to its center whatever befalls thee is best for thee if it be not good in it self yet it does thee good Providence is not purblind there is no such thing as chance the wheel is full of eys though some dispensations seem dark XXIX Be not a Servant to thy Slaves thy Money or thy Body thou art not born to so base a bondage why shouldest thou obey where thou mayest command use thy Estate and enjoy thy self let all be subservient to thy Soul and thy Soul to the Lord of all know thy place and keep a distance suffer no encroachment to be made upon thy Prerogative every thing is below thee if thou beest not below thy self XXX Look upon that to be good which is lawful not what is gainful go not out of Gods blessing into a warm Sun serve him rather than thy own turn take not any unwarrantable course to purchase wealth better want than be wicked it will appear so at last in the winding up of the bottome I had rather be poor and pious than grow rich in a wrong way XXXI Trouble not thy self that others have fewer troubles the burden is but proportioned to the back and he that lays on will either lift with thee or lighten it argues courage in thee and confidence in thy Captain that thou art chose for a Champion the hardiest Souldier is set to the hardest service as is thy venture so will be thy victory thy conquest will be as thy combat who will refuse any thing where what
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