well sincerely beleeve all shall be well Piety hath the promise infallibly 1 Tim. 4.8 11. When thou goest to bed read over the carriage of that day seriously reforme what is amisse unfainedly give humble thanks for what is orderly and so commit thy selfe to him that watcheth over thee fatherly powerfully faithfully Lord make me in all things upright before thee and be in all things God al-sufficient to me Gen. 17.1 A sure stay in greatest extremity BEing in most extreame perplexity of spirit and in great outward distresse all threatning uttermost misery even without any appearance of remedy knowing no other way to comfort and settle himselfe he plyed his prayers and betooke him to Gods promises submitting to his good pleasure for the issue especially by the Lords good grace he remembred these choyce places of Scripture they upheld him he had else fainted utterly Who is among you that feareth the Lord that walketh in darknesse and hath no light let him trust in the Name of the Lord and stay upon his God Isa 50.20 Alas for that day is great so that name is like it it is even the time of Jacobs trouble but he shall be saved out of it Jer. 30.7 The Lord also will be a refuge son the oppressed and a refuge no time of trouble Psal 9.9 God is our strength and refage a very present helpe in trouble therefore we will not feare though the earth be removed and though the mountaines be carried into the middest of the Sea Psal 46.1 21. Behold I am the Lord the God of all flesh is there any thing too hard for me Jer. 32.27 God hath power to help and to cast downe Amaziah said but what shall I doe for the 120 Talents he said the Lord is able to give thee much more then this 2 Chron. 23.8 9. If theâ—â— altogether holdest thy Peace at this time then shall their enlargement and deliverance arise from another place Est 4.14 God spake and it was done he commanded and it stood fast Ps 33.9 He shall deliver the needy when he cryeth the poore also and him that hath no helper Psal 72.12 When the poore and needy seeke water and there is none and their tongue faileth for thirst I the Lord will heare them I the God of Israel will not forsake them I will open Rivers in high places and Fountaines in the middest of the Valleyes I will make the Wildernesse a poole of water and the dry Land springs of water that they may see and know and consider and understand together that the hand of the Lord hath done this Isa 41.17 18 20. He clave the Rocks in the Wildernesse and gave them drink as out of the great dept is Psal 78.15 Numb 20.11 And the Lord said unto Moses is the Lords hand waxed short thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to passe unto thee or not Numb 11.23 Prove me now herewith saith the Lord of Hosts if I will not open you the windowes of Heaven and poure you out a blessing that there shall not be roome enough to receive it Mal. 3.10 Jesus fed 5000. men besides women and children with five loaves and two fishes Matth. 14.17 21. With God all things are possible Mat. 19.26 I know that thou canst doe all things Job 42.2 He performeth the thing that is appointed for me and many such things are with him Job 23.14 The Lord is good and a strong hold in the day of trouble and he knoweth them that trust in him Nâ—h 1.7 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations 2 Pet. 2.9 God is faithfull who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able but will with the temptation make a way to escape that ye may be able to beare it 1 Cor. 10.13 He that spared not his owne Sonne but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him freely give in all things Rom. 8.32 Besides the Lord saith call upon me in the day of trouble I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorifie me Psal 50.15 Come unto me all yee that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest Mat. 11.28 Thou which hast showed me great and sore troubles shalt quicken me again and shalt bring me up againe from the depths of the earth Psal 71.20 Blessed be God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and the God of all comfort who comforteth us in all our tribu latiods who delivered us from so great a death and doth deliver us and in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us 2. Cor. 1.10 The Lord hath delivered me out of the paw of the Lyon and out of the paw of the Beare he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine 1 Sum. 17.37 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me then thou knowest my path I looked on my right hand and beheld but there was no man that would know me all refuge failed me then cryed I unto the Lord O Lord thou art my refuge and my portion Psal 142.3 4 5. Why art thou then cast downe O my soule why art thou disquieted within me hope thou in God for I shall yet praysâ— him who is the help of my countenance and my God Psal 42.11 My soule look unto Jesus the Author and finisher of thy faith consider him that endured such contradictions of sinners against himselfe least thou be wearied and faint in thy mind not having yet resisted unto blood Heb. 12.3 4. Reekon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed Rom. 8.18 And that though thou be troubled on every side yet not distressed though perplexed not in despaire persecuted but not forsaken cast downe but not destroyed though the outward man perish the inward man is renewed day by day for my light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for thee a farre more exceeding weight of glory 2 Cor. 4. â— 8 9 16 17. Therefore I will looke unto the Lord I will wait for the God of my salvation my God will heare me reioyce not against me O mine enemy when I fall I shall arise when I sit in darknesse the Lord shall be a light unto me I will beare the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him untill he plead my cause and execute iudgement for me he will bring me forth to the light and I shall behold his righteousnesse Mic. 7.7 8 9. My soule be content with what thy God hath graciously given thee and trust him wholly for he hath said he will never faile forsake nor forget thee so that thou mayest boldly say the Lord is my helper and I will not feare what man can doe unto me or whatsoever shall betide me Heb. 13.5 6. Yea though I know not what to doe mine eyes and my heart are upon thee 2 Chron. 20.12 Now Lord though I be unworn thy thou shouldest come under my
roofe speak but one word and I shall be helped Mat. 8.8.13 Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me cleane I will be thou cleane say thou unto me and I shall be cleansed Mat. 8.2 3. Lord Jesus speak unto me that it is thou that will comfort and helpe me that I be not feared oâ— troubled over much Mat. 14.27 Well then by thy especiall grace O my God in Christ in the sorrow of my spirit I will poure out my soule before thee O Lord and ouâ— of the abundance of my complaint and griefe with Hannah will I speak 1 Sam. 1.15 19. And untill God shall grant an issue out of my pressing and even hâ—â—plesse fâ—are griefe and distresse I will with David continue seeking ease and reliefe from Heaven 2 Sam. 12.16.23 And say with him when he was in greatest misery If I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord I shall be belped but if he thus say I have no delight in thee behold here I am let him doe to me as seemeth good unto him 2 Sam. 15.25 26. And according to his example even when he had distrusted God 1 Sam. 29.1 fled and fell to the enemy verse 2. when he made shew promise and proster of his service against Gods people ch 29.2 8. when in his absence his Towne was surprized spoyled pillaged and burned and the Wives of his Souldiers captived and all that he had was lost and carried away by the enemy when he and his people wept that they could weep no more when they murmured against him laid all the blame upon him and spake of stoning of him by all which judge how he was distressed I will encourage my selfe in the Lord my God and in all things seek direction and help from him doubtlesse the Lord as he did him will answer me graciously and deliver me effectually 1 Sam. 30.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 19. And though as Jacob served twenty yeers ere he could provide for his owne houshold Gen. 31.38 30.30 It hath pleased the Lord that I have served many yeers already and if God spare my life and please not to work wonderfully for me am like to serve many yeers more to serve others turnes to the great prejudice of me mine I hope by the good providence of my good God if he sees it good for me to live the day at Jacob did to acknowledge my God hath dealt graciously with me because he hath vouchsafed a competency and enough unto me Gen. 33.11 And although which mercy I am most unworthy to live to receive of acknowledge I dare not for conscience sake to help my selfe by indirect meanes in my misery whereby great losse and prejudice hath befallen me yet I will trust in this that the Prophet in the Lords name said to Amaziah who was troubled with the losse of the â—00 Talents that the Lord is able and if he sees it good for me will give more then this unto me 2 Chron. â—â— 8 9. And not to murmure grumble be impatient and discontented with my condition considering Jobs example of suffering and the end of the Lord towards him for the Lord is very pittifall and of tender mercy James 5.11 For Job was perfect and upright one that feared God and eschewed evill by the Lords owne testimony Job 1.1.5.8 chap. 2.3 yet though he looked for good evill came unto him and when he waited for light there came darknesse Job 30.26 for the thing that he feare greatly came upon him and that which he was afraid of befell him he was not in safety neither had he rest neither waâ— he quiet yet trouble came Joâ— 3.25 26. witnesse what followes The Sabeans fell upon hâ—â— Oxen and took them away 〈◊〉 1.14 15. fire fell from Heaveâ— and burnt his Sheep and Seâ—vants verse 16. The Caldeaâ—â— fell upon the Camels and caâ—â—ied them away verse 17. 〈◊〉 Sonnes and Daughters weâ—â— eating and drinking in theâ—â— elder Brothers house and bâ—hold there came a great winâ— and smote the foure corners of the house and it fell upon the young men and they are all dead verse 18 19. Satan gat leave from God to smite his body all over with fore and loathsome boyles that he was forst to sit in the ashes and scrape himselfe with a potsheard chap. 2.6 7 8. his wife that should have been his comfort was his heavy crosse urging him to curse God in this condition ch 2. â—9 and was as a stranger to him and would hardly know him or come at him chap. 19.17 his neerest kinred failed him his familiar friends forgot him his servants contemned him his most inward friends abhorred him children despised him ch 19.13 14 15 16 18 19. his most godly friends that should have been his best counsellours comforters in this his wofull comfortlesse estate grieved censured and pleaded against and reproached him Iob â— 1â—â— ch 16.20 19.21 God made his heart soft the Almighty troubled him Iob 23.16 and every way seemed to let himselfe against him chap. 19.8 to 13. yea the arrowes of the Almighty stuck within him perplexity and horrour seized on him ch â— â— c. yet at length the Lord turned away his captivity and gave him twice as much as he had before and blessed the latter end of Iob more then the beginning Iob 42.10 12. and is the same Lord God and helper for ever to them that feare before call upon and trust in him My sweet Saviour grant me as thou advisest and commandest me to possesse my soule in patience Luke 21.19 and to cast my care upon thee who takest care for me 1 Pet. 5.7 and because strict reservednesse keeps concealed my estate and affections and prevents giving advantage against me the Lord assisting me I will follow Micahs counsell Mac. 7.5 not to trust in a friend nor to put confidence in a guide but to keep the doore of my mouth from her that lyeth in my bosome And with Abrahams servant to hold my peace to wit whether the Lord will make my businesse prosperous or not Gen. 24.21 And in these times of generall calamities as the Lord wils Baruch upon the like occasions not to seek great things for my selfe nor to be overmuch troubled with these triviall personall perplexities and afflictions but to be humbly and heartily content if the Lord please as he hath done hitherto most remarkably to give me my life for a prey whethersoever I goe Ier. 45.4 5. To rest assured with Mordecay that God will send help one way or other if not as I conceived or imagine by some other means undoubtedly Est 4.14 To say as my most blessed Saviour did in his most bitterest passion O my Father if it be possible let this Cup passe from me neverthelesse not as I will but a thou wilt Mat. 26.39 And with Abraham to hopâ— beyond hope and to beleevâ— beyond sense being fully perswaded that what my God hatâ— promised he is also able to
performe Rom. 4.18.20 21. And never to cast away 〈◊〉 confidence which hath great recompence of reward He. 10 3â— But as I have great needâ—â— imbrace patience that after have done the will of my God by his grace I may receiâ—â— the promise Heb. 10.36 Being most confident that the hatred envy unpeaceablenesse malice scorne cruelty of Iosephs Brethren against him Gen. 37.4.8.11.19 their purpose to kill him their casting him into the pit their selling him to the Ismalites the Ismalites selling him againe to the Aegyptians Potiphar verse 22.24.28.36 the stander of his Mistresse his hard imprisonment thereupon Gen. 39.19 20. the Butlers Bakers Pharaohs dreames the extreame dearth and all things whatsoever seemed to make never somuch against him wrought in the end most remarkably for him Gen. 41.9 45.5 7 8. 50.24 so my God without doubt will most fatherly powerfully faithfully seasonably carefully constantly work in with and for me being the same God for ever for good to his that all my present and future inward perplexities and outward troubles all that Satan or any of his instruments doe or may doe against me all the malice and scorne of evill men all the oppositions and injuries of any though never so great and many all my instant seares cares and most hopelesse and helplesse miseries yea my folly sinne and misgovernment my felt or lookt for shame and losse my crosses and poverty yea even that intolerable hurthen Lord thou knowest my meaning and necessity that even overwhelmeth me and whatsoever doth or may seem to make most against me that all shall turne remarkably for good unto me Rom. 8.28 Lord thou hast spoken it and will also bring it to passe thou hast purposed it and wilt also doe it and nothing shall let it Isa 46.10 11. Therefore to conclude as Joseph did and to say to my selfe in every crosle and calamity yea though never so grievous and desperate even in my present misery as he did to his Brethren be not grieved nor angry that this or that betides thee it is God that sends it to thee and remaines thy most wise and tender-hearted Father continually howsoever he please to afflict thee and whatsoever by the devil or man may be intended or wrought against thee thy God intendeth and will work all for thy good undoubtedly Gen 45.5.7 50.20 Well then my soule is not all this enough for thee I thus beset with paine and grief did pray to God for grace plaint And he forthwith did heare my out of his holy place Ps 18 6. On me some signe of favour shew that all my foes may see And be ashamd because Lord thou doest help and comfort me Psal 86.17 And now my soul sith thou art safe returne unto thy rest For largely loe the Lord to thee his bounty hath exprest Ps 16.7 See more at large in my collection of Promises these following particulars which will by Gods blessing afford more matter of consolation and setling in any kind of misery as in my booke of the Promises concerning afflictions in generall page 102 to 112 Concerning trouble of mind pag. 116. Concerning a desolate estate pag. 118 Concerning any kind of outward want pag. 135 Concerning Gods blessing pag. 164. Concerning the manner of Gods hearing our prayers pag. 208. A briefe commending all to the LORD Oh Lord helpe mine heart to pray heare my prayers thy Name shall have the praises O Thou that art the onely and alwayes true God whom alone I desire to serve and trust â—ternall al-knowing every where present almighty most wise mercifull faithfull and immutable in Jesus Christ by vertue of thine owne most free and faithfull Covenant my reconciled God most gracious Father and alone al-sufficient helper it is thy will I should call upon thee in every need and hast promised thou wilt deliver me that I may glorifie thee I have never sought thee in vaine thou hast alwayes heard me and that most remarkably in greatest extremity thou hast often done more for me then I desired or expected from thee behold as well as I can though alas at the best exceeding weakly in the sense of my especiall necessities fully known to thee with all circumstances I set my soule to seeke all help at thy hands onely deâ—â—ying all other meanes of reliefe wholly this in obedience to thy will in the assistance of thy Spirit in the name and mediation of thy deare and onely Sonne my alone al-sufficient Saviour and continuall intercessor Christ Jesus founding my prayers on thy promises which I lay before thee with which I urge thee flying to thy mercies building on thy power submitting to thy will wisdome and providence acknowledging all my inward and outward welfare past present and to come to come onely from thee or else woe woe woe unto me and nothing could or can availe me a waiting for thy salvation continually promising all possible praises to thee onely for whatsoever grace or good thou hast pleased to vouchsafe or shalt please to vouchsafe unto me and now thou that art such a God as I acknowledge thee and thou hast revealed thy selfe to be intreated in mercy as thou hast promised by thy unresistable working in due season upon all occasions especially in greatest extremities more particularly in my particular present or future prossing inward and outward necessities to guide to prevent to governe to restore to receive to streng then to comfort to support to establish to relieve to protect to deliver every way to help and prosper me notwithstanding all my horrible ingratitude most hainous sinfulnesse exceeding unworthinesse extreame weaknesse and all other though never so many great impediments you according to all thy great name manifested and magnified to thine for good whereby so freely plainly plentifully infallibly thou hast revealed and assured audience and help to thine to hear and help me even beyond all that I now or at any other time can think or aske that it may appeare thou Lord hast done all for me all this all else as may be most to the glory of thy name the service of thy Zion the gracing of my Christian profession the stopping the mouth of prophanenesse malice scorn and injury the preventing my distasting others or others especially such as most wish and would be glad of my shame and harme having advantage against me the good of those most neare and deare unto me my outward credite and comfort in thy fear with thy favour my soules present peace and everlasting happinesse in Heaven with thee as seemeth best unto thee wherewithall in all good conscience and Christian considence make me contented heartily and it is enough for me and all the glory shall he thine onely to whom alone the same is due wholly and continually Amen Observe HEr Adversary provoked her sore for to make her fret therefore shee wept and did not eat shee was in bitternesse of soule and prayed unto the Lord and wept sore and shee vowed a
expect all mercy grace peace comfort strength health safety succour help deliverance and salvation onely from thee oh grant each seasonably and effectually unto me Lord work all thy works iâ— me that I may serve thee as â— ought and work all my work for me that I may prosper a thou hast promised Lord make me as thou would dest have me and require whâ—â— thou wilt of me give me which thou seest best for me and dâ—â— what thou wilt with me Lord be my strength refuge and ready help at hand mâ— sufficiency safety and good successe and when where and how thou pleasest imploy me Lord cleare my innocency stop the mouth of injury faithfully worthily and in-offensively make me to discharge each part of my duty Lord make me wise warned watchfull and well governed by my former folly rashnesse weaknesse and misgovernment Lord let me no more be conformable to the sinfull and unseemly fashions of the world but reforme my whole man according to thy will Lord forgive and keep me from those sinnes whereby I have most dishonoured thee disgraced my Christian profession injured others clog'd my conscience terrified my souse or any way procured my selfe shame or harme Lord make me to make and let me find each part of thy Word my guide and comfort Lord direct governe restore comfort support establish inable protect provide for and blesse me as every one of my especiall occasions doe or may require of thee Lord at one time or other by one meanes or other ere we do part hence work for the effectuall conversion and everlasting salvation of every one of mine and I desire no more for them of thee Lord prepare me to meet the ere thy wrath come upon me in the day of calamity hide me under thine hand till thy indignation be over past Lord in wisdome love and faithfulnesse visit me and deale as thou pleasest with me Lord when all is past hope thou canst most easily help my case is fully knowne and wholy commended to thee thou hast helped remarkably thy hand is not shortned thy mercy never faileth thy truth endureth for ever towards me Lord let not my hope deceive nor thy help faile me oh cause me to make and let me find thy providence my portion continually so shall I be supplied seasonably and never want any thing thou seest good for me Lord prepare me to suffer to dye let every thing draw me neerer to thee let death bring me to life eternall with thee doe then what thou wilt with me call then when where and how thou pleasest for me Lord from sin shame harme in thy feare in a good repute and peace preserve me Lord how shall I behave my selfe in my present distressed estate and how wilt thou therein deale with me oh that thou wouldest dispose and dispatch all my businesse for me Lord all help faileth me none cares for me every thing seemâ— to crosse me yet help thou and all shall goe well with me Lord cause me to goe the right way to work and to submit to thy disposing wholy Lord let it appeare the right way is the best way never of never faile forsake or forget me let them that now for wel-doing scorn me see thou fovourest and releevest me Lord cause me secretly and sensibly to sorrow for my owne sinnes and to mourne for the abominations of the times and this uncessantly Lord affect me with the affections of Joseph rightly dispose me to pray for the peace of Zion seriously in all reforme and pardon me Lord give me feeling feeling feeling of all the good things I know and utter before thee thou knowest and I acknowledge the same to be extreamly wanting in me Lord let no thought of my heart nor word of my mouth be in vain for me but thou that art my strength and my Redeemer accept all my Meditations and expressions continually Lord carry me with wisdome patience comfort and good successe through all my great occasions Lord change my disposition reform my conversation speedily and powerfully wherein I am most averse from good and prone to evill especially Lord that thou wouldest instruct and inable me sincerely and circumspectly to order my lawfull affaires substantially whatsoever others may thinke speake or worke against me and that thine owne seasonablâ— and effectuall working to afforâ—â—n happy issue might according to thy mercy and truth appeare towards me Lord put me not off with outward mercies but vouchsafe me a portion of thy best blessings From sloath lust and carelesnesse from tatling tipling and trifling away time from putting off my private devotions from discontent and discord Good Lord deliver me Grounds of comfort against the nick-name of Puritane and Round-head It is nothing in respect of what hath been objected against Christ and the godly for there hath been objected against them grieuous things (a) Acts 25.7 gluttony (b) Mat. 11.18.19 madnesse (c) Joh. 10.20 blasphemy (d) Mat. 26.65 Mark 9.3 Acts 6.11 13 14. murder (e) Acts 28.4 deceiving (f) Joh. 7.12 2 Cor. 6.8 rebellion (g) Acts 17.6 7. rayling (h) Acts 23.4 babling idolatry (i) Acts 17.18 bringers of strange things (k) Acts 17.20 scisme (l) Acts 28.22 wickednesse of life (m) 1 Pet. 2.12 the abjects abused them (n) Psa 35.15 drankards sang of them (o) Psal 69.12 the basest derided them (p) Job 30.1 they were a reproach of men (q) Psal 22.12 a by-word (r) Psal 44.14 a proverbe (s) Psal 69.11 a wonder (t) Psal 17.7 Isa 8.18 gazing-stocks (u) 1 Cor. 4.9 fools (w) 1 Cor. 4.10 insufficient despised (x) Idem defamed made as filth and off-scowring (y) 1 Cor. 4.13 great men rayle at them (z) Psa 31.13 godly men censure them (a) Jobs friends 1 Cor. 4.4.10 and by slander excommunicate them (b) Isa 66.5 are most fouly scandalized (c) Ps 69.7 44.15 condemned by a whole Counsell (d) Mat. 27.1 Joh. 11.47 48. Acts 6.12 4.6.15 5.27 23.1 yea to suffer as evill doers (e) 2 Tim. 2.9 Psal 37.32 33. Psal 41.8 Isa 53.4 well if God condemnes us not what matters the censures and reproachfull nick-names of others (f) 1 Pet. 3.16 If good bad men both should judge amisse Keep conscience cleare tâ—ou needst not care I wisse Alas this is not to resist unto blood h Heb. 12.4 my Saviour sayes Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and shall say all manner of evill falsly for my sake reioyce and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven for so persecuted they the Prophets that were before you i Mat. 5.11 12. yea my most blessed Redeemer so have they abused thee and all thy dearest Servants oh then why should I that am not worthy the name of a Servant or Disciple think to be above my Lord and Master and better
and shall prosper spite of your ill meaning towards me One that sees and uncharitably censures or sharply reprehends his faults not knowing or regarding his repentance compassionates not or will not take notice of his sorrowes Be alwayes silent where reason is not regarded and truth is but distastefull Suppresse pride peevishnesse passion discontent and discord as most unbeseeming a wise and worthy mans mind This for that now of somewhat else His conscience honour and his friend Spare and nought else can him offend But if your malice and distaste Cannot forbeare pack hence in hast And when ye are sent for come againe This thanks still looke for for your pains Backbitten must I needs turne pale for it False honours please and lying slanders fright Whom but the unworthy and vain-glorious wight Wrath is cruell and anger is outragious but who can stand before envy Pro. 27.4 Men oft times speak evill of us because they cannot speak well not because we deserve it but they are accustomed to it and therefore cannot leave it especially when they will not be perswaded they doe evill in it There are some Dogs of that nature that they barke rather upon custome then curstnesse and some so currish they bite before they bark he hath met with both sorts but thanks to the Lord neither their barking nor biting have been able to fright or hurt him Desire no imployment upon vain-glory refuse none for feare Lord guide and strengthen me to shew my selfe carefull and resolute in action By vertue in valiantly doing his duty and by modesty in sparingly speaking thereof a man may best escape envy and obtaine glory Provoke not a suffering nature too much least it turne to your owne shame and harme at length though loath he dares both speak and doe He that is honest is bold he that does well would not be wronged and may be provoked beyond his power no coward is he that will not base coward is he that dares not fight let the feare of God not of man restraine thee where conscience warrants shew it by doing worthily It ought to be enough for us if we have by Gods assistance behaved our selves so that no man can tax us justly if we deserve praise it is onely malice keeps it from us and a lying tongue that would disgrace us I dare trust any mans judgement of me but not every mans affection towards me Some whose consciences must commend us malice forces in their speeches to condemne us though we know and find it we may have comfort in it It is meer folly great weaknesse and extreame vanity to trouble our minds with those things that thereby can neither be prevented nor helped One said beleeve me not to boast or justifie himself vainly but to vindicate his worth and innocency which hath by malice and untruth suffered undeservedly who that knowes me can tax me with carelesnesse or any kind of unworthy carriage justly and if they would speak plainly as they are perswaded of me must they not confesse the contrary If you heare or conceive amisse of me if there be conscience reason charity or common honesty in you first convince then censure else spare me or else I wil protest you bely me and of meere malice detract from me perhaps because your owne wayes have not been so worthy and therefore must not escape your envy this is basenesse in you and doth not blemish but settle me for wise and worthy men will judge rightly Tell me of my faults but doe not blaze them think of your owne and mine will seeme the lesse unto you Would I were as wise honest and worthy as some thinke themselves and would be esteemed whose carriage but little shew they deserve it Of all beasts I hate an injurious scoffer I cannot abide a contentious companion nor to have to doe with one of a distastfull disposition or that is of a proud and disdainfull demeanour Injurious speeches from a man in authority are most harmfull and unseemly oftentimes wrong and grieve extreamly by these the innocent and worthy must suffer and know no redresse complain they may not contend they dare not grieving helps not O poore revenge conquest or passion art thou in authority avoid it it loses love lessons respect towards thee procures ill will unto and hard words of thee and is a treat disgrace and blemish to thee Envy no mans honour wish every one as much as he desires or deserves but in advancing his owne let him not impaire another mans Doe well speak truth boast not so win honour and weare it else look for shame instead of credite If he might have his desire he would choose those if he knew them that have the worst opinion of him and best of themselves to be either actors with him or spectators of him in the most perilous imployments where God sayes goe for then he is sure live or dye in the strength of his God to force their acknowledgement of his wel-doing and to stop their injurious mouths against him Why cannot some men give such their due praise whose personall service they especially desire in greatest occasion and danger this their necessity forces that their envy smothers In my conscience the greatest boasters are the poorest doers yet I have observed he that hath mouthed it most hath been thought to doe best I am sure some that lookt big and swore by no small ones were the first that flinched There is no notable service hath fallen out in their time but there are some that will assure you they have beene at it though truth is they were farre enough from it it is a mad world when some get more credite by lying and eracking then others by truth and well-doing He held it neither wit honesty nor valour out of conceited honour to endanger himselfe or others without or beyond command or warrant He is to be esteemed more base then basenesse it selfe that in his place dares not out-dare danger death I will hereafter esteem nothing of any worth that hath not many to detract from it LEt us doe worthily but not lye boast nor detract from others for our honour If thy heart tels thee thou hast discharged thy duty and that no man can truly or dares to thy face say the contrary what needest thou care though others in secret out of malice slander thee Some that desire to have their own miscarriage held no faultâ— will wrest another mans well-doing Among us Souldiers the way to get respect from such as neglect you is to carry your selfe gravely quietly and carelesly towards them taking heed thou givest them no just cause of distaste or advantage against or any way to scorne or abuse you He that can hold his peace hath great advantage a foole cannot keep filence a talker is contemned by others and a trouble to himselfe To discover a mans affections or businesse makes a man contemptible and no way mends the matter To speak in due season