Priest alone and that in the Temple only but once in the Year at their Solemn Feast while he blessed the People might have leave to mention it for others it was Death Buxt Lex 23. It is a mark of solly and ill nature to hate reproof 24. Sin and Sorrow are unseparable Companions thou canst not let in the one and shut out the other he that swims in Sin must sink in Sorrow 25. Corrupt Examples may sway with weak minds but the wise in heart will regard and consider their own Duty 26. Oppose no Man willfully neither follow any in evil Courses 27. The clean Soul of a Christian is the House of GOD and also the House of Prayer whose Body is his Temple 28. There are some that Pray often yet are not heard to speak much There are many that make long Prayers yet Pray not at all acceptably 29. Prayer is a more Spiritual and Secret thing in the Sanctified than is understood by most 30. Religion however pull'd several waies is of it self a quiet and strifeless thing Holy indeed but Harmless and Divine yet still shining forth in much Plainness and Simplicity Be you of that Religion which gives Glory to GOD on High on Earth Peace and Good-will towards Men. 31. True Religion is not to fill Heads with Notions and Opinions but to Sow in the mind the Seed of Virtue to direct how to Govern Passions and to destroy self-will 32. Virtue and Goodness ought to be owned in all Parties and Opinions and if these were practised it would reconcile all Men to each other 33. Obstinacy is an Advantage to our Enemies a Trouble to our Friends and the assured overthrow of our Selves 34. So gracious is Providence that every Man has a Light set up within himself for a Guide 35. Cordially espouse all Virtue constantly decline and hate all Vice. 36. To be humble to Superiors is Duty to Equals Civility to Inferiors Courtesie to all Safety 37. It is to be Observ'd that the Poor Man sings at his Plow while the Rich Man frets in his Palace This shews that 't is the mind not the fortune that makes us happy 38. Art thou desirous of a Kingdom saies the Philosopher I will presently shew thee one Rule wisely over thy Self 39. The Glory of the Aged is their Experitence and their Wisdom the Glory of a young Man is his Modesty and Submission 40. He that is a Companion of Riotous Men shameth his Father and dishonoureth his Moher 41. 'T is not for young Men to drink Wine nor for lovers of Virtue to be Drinkers of strong Drink 42. Be not a Companion with Wine bibbers nor with Riotous eaters of Flesh Prov. 23.20 43. He that will be lavish in his Superfluities will afterwards find himself unavoidably straitned in his necessities 44. Conscience once embased the Heart once polluted by vicious Courses is not easily recovered to the true Fear of the LORD 45. Youth should be a Pattern for Virtue not a Priviledg for Vice Therefore let thy Virtues be Grave whilst thy Years are Green. 46. Be meek and courteous to all yet choose only the Virtuous and Harmless for your Companions The Dove flocks not with Ravens 47. Let thy Speech be sober and seldom To know how to be silent is a great advantage to speak well and he that knows not how to do the one knows not the other 48. Who heareth much and speaketh little may best discern Falshood from Truth 49. We ought alwaies to keep a Bridle at our Mouths even in Religious and Holy Occasions because it is hard to fall into arguing without offence to GOD and our Neighbour 50. Let thy Speech be short comprehending much in few Words For long Discourses Amplifications and Repetitions are a sign of Ostentation in the Speaker tedious and irksom and of no real good to the Hearer Even in a good cause or on a good subject a man may say too much 51. The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out Water therefore leave off Contention before it be medled with Prov. 17.4 52. Silence is a Guard of the Conscience a Bridle from Insolence and a sign of Innocence and preserves from many Evils 53. They that turn an others words to a worse end than was intended shews an evil mind and are far from doing therein as they would be done unto 54. There is more desireableness in Meekness and Innocency than in all the Mountains of Prey or Self exaltation 55. A virtuous Man is more Patient in Adversity than a Vicious in Prosperity 56. I will learn contentment by considering others wants and my own enjoyments and not learn discontent from others enjoyments and my own wants 57. A Rich Worldling is rather to be pitied for what he wants than envied for what he has 58. Unsatiable desires in Temporals make a man poor in Spirituals 59. How little soever the thing be if it be inordinately loved it defileth the Soul and hindreth the injoyment of the chiefest Good. 60. There is nothing in the World conduceth more to the Composure and Tranquility of the Mind than the serenity and clearness of the Conscience keep but That safe and untainted the Mind will enjoy a Calm and Tranquility in the midst of all the Storms of the World. And altho the Waves beat and the Sea works and the Winds blow the Mind that hath a quiet and clear Conscience within will be as stable and as safe from Perturbation as a Rock in the midst of a tempestuous Sea and will be a Goshen too and within it self when the rest of the World without is like an Egypt for Confusion and Darkness Judge Hales Contempl. 373. 61. Whatever thou dost hazard or lose keep the Integrity of thy Conscience both before troubles come and under them it is a Jewel will make thee Rich in the midst of Poverty a Sun that will give thee Light in the midst of Darkness a Fortress that will keep thee safe in the greatest Danger and that is never to be taken from thee unless thou thy self betray it and deliver it up p. 374. 62. Many words do not satisfie the Soul but a good Life comforteth the Mind and a pure Conscience giveth great assurance in the sight of GOD. 63. He that keeps the Law of GOD and abstains from the impurity of the World that is the good Man the just Liver he is the Apostles true Jew and Circumsition 64. The Curse of the LORD is in the House of the Wicked but HE blesseth the Habitation of the Just 65. Whoso feareth the LORD it shall go well with him at the last and he shall find favour in the day of his Death 66. If I choose the LORD for my Portion then Mercy and Goodness shall follow me whilst I live and Glory and everlasting happiness shall be my Portion when I die 67. Let reason go before every Enterprise And Counsel before every Action 68. Tho a good Life hath but few daies yet a good
actions have a care That no unseemliness appear Abstain from all appearance of Evil. A Thankful heart hath earn'd one favour twice But he that is ungrateful wants no vice Si ingratum dixeris omnia dixeris Say a Man's ungrateful and you say all LET not Anger cause thee to reveal What Love and Friendship caus'd thee to conceal A Tale-bearer revealeth secrets but he that ii of a faithful Spirit concealeth a matter Prov. 11.13 ONce reconcil'd rip not up the wrongs of former daies Old Sores to rub and Wrath to move a wicked Mind bewrays He that ruleth his Tongue shall live without strife and he that hateth babbling shall have less Evil Eccl. 19.6 BY Slanders we arrive to high Renown The greatest crosses win the greatest Crown Many are the troubles of the Righteous but the LORD delivers them out of all Psal 34.19 TAke well what e're shall fall tho' bad it be Take it for good and 't will be so to thee Quod sis esse velis Will to be what thou art THat 's Friendship and true Love indeed Which firmly bides in time of need Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur A sure Friend is known in a doubtful matter SUre is that knot which true Religion ties And Love that 's rightly grounded never dies Witness Jonathan and David HE that enjoys a Patient mind Can Comfort in Afflictions find It gently sweetens every Bitter Cup And calms tempestuous storms when they are up In Patience possess ye your Souls Prudens qui patiens He is wise that is patient BE well advis'd and wary Councel take E're thou dost any resolution make Deliberandum est diu quod statuendum est semel Consider long of that which is but once to be done TO gather Wealth through Fraud do not presume A little evil got doth often much consume Male parta male dilabuntur Ill got ill spent SPare not nor spend too much be this thy Care Spare thou to spend and only spend to Spare Who spends too much may want and so complain But he spends best that spares to spend again Prodigality and Coveteousness are both to be abhorr'd SPare for no cost when time shall serve And cause require the same For what is better spent than spar'd Adds to an honest name Fac sumptum propere c. Be not sparing when need requires USe what thou hast in doing good But see thou make no wast Who vainly spend their own and want Seek other Mens at last Better to prevent than repent THings needful then they cannot want That cutb their vain desires And measure their expence with what Necessity requires Natura paucis contenta Nature is Content with sew things ONe special note of blessedness Is riches to deny Which whoso covets to ingross Lives alwaies beggerly Avarus semper eget A Covetous Man is alwaies in want THe World 's a snare I find unto an honest mind And O how few there be who from that snare are free From which LORD save all thine which trust in THEE No Tongue nor Pen unless the heart be pure Availeth any thing nor can procure Peace to the Soul Ah! nothing ever can Without a good Life make a happy Man Then Soul of mine since this must needs be true See that thou labour all Sin to subdue What signifie good Words unless they rise From Love 't is Love alone that makes us wise Soul love thy GOD let it be seen in this Thou never Think nor Speak nor Do Amiss Say Soul of Mine HAs not thy experience prov'd What ev'r thou hast over-lov'd Thou thereby hast injur'd been Hast thou not thy error seen Is there any thing below GOD himself that thou canst bow Or bend thy Mind to with delight And be approved in his sight Approv'd in his sight who is That so fondly acts amiss Then tell me is' t not time for thee By experience Wise to be What Joy or Comfort canst thou find In things uncertain as the Wind No Joy but in a prudent Mind A prudent Mind can never be Injurious I am sure to thee Why then my Soul come bid adiew To all that comes within thy view Seeming Comforts but not true Look upon them as they are Do not let them prove a Snare Soul bid all empty Joys be gone And joy thou in thy GOD alone Thy GOD alone the Author is Of everlasting Joy and Bliss Thy GOD alone can give thee this TRouble 's here attend us must Until we return to Dust They 'r intended for our good Were they rightly understood By experience this I find They cannot hurt a prudent Mind Then Soul of mine do not be Vext when Troubles come on thee HE that sends them HE can best Remove them and give ease and rest Rest thou contented with thy lot Good is GODS will is it not Troubles here and exercise Are good for thee to make thee wise Heavier they shall not be Than thy GOD sees good for thee Good I am sure for thee it is To reckon nothing comes amiss Be content and thou shall see Nothing comes amiss to thee Judge Hales on Changes and Troubles Contemp. p. 380. PEace way ward Soul let not those various storms Which hourly fill the World with fresh Alarms Invade thy Peace nor discompose that rest Which thou maist keep untouch'd within thy Breast Amidst those Whirl-winds if thou keep but free Thy intercourse betwixt thy GOD and thee This Region lyes above these storms and know Thy thoughts are Earthly and they creep too low If these can reach thee or access can find To bring or raise like tempests in thy mind But yet in these disorders something lies That 's worth thy notice out of which the wise May trace and find that just and powerful hand That secretly but surely doth command And manage these distempers with that skill That while they seem to cross they act his Will. Observe that Silver thred that steers and bends The worst of all disorders to such ends That speak his Justice Goodness Providence Who closely guides it by his Influence And tho' these Storms be loud yet listen well There is another Message that they tell This World is not thy Country 't is thy Way Too much Contentment would invite thy stay Too long upon thy journey make it strange Unwelcome news to think upon a change Whereas this tugged entertainment send Thy thoughts before thee to thy journies end Chides thy desires homeward and tells thee plain To think of resting here it is but vain Makes thee to set an equal estimate On this uncertain World and a just rate On that to come it bids thee wait and stay Until thy MASTER call ond then with joy To entertain it Such a Change as this Renders thy loss thy gain improves thy bliss Judge Hales Contempl. p. 121. LET him that will ascend the tottering Seat Of Courtly Grandeur and become as great As are his mounting wishes as for me Let sweet Repose and Rest my Portion
Name endures for ever 69. What are the delights of the World to the Peace of my Conscience Rather let me be Poor with a good Heart than rich with an evil Mind 70. How can Pleasures content me whilst the Sting of them Poyson me 71. Never think those true hearted Friends to thee that are false to their own Consciences 72. A froward Man soweth strife and a Whisperer seperateth very Friends 73. They who suffer their own Wills and Lusts to Rule not only oppress others thereby but stifle and crucifie the Just and Faithful witness in themselves 74. There are no such Enemies without as unruly Lusts and Passions within therefore labour to overcome them all 75. Humility and Abstinence keeps the Body and Mind in much evenness and tranquility but Pride and Fulness are Pernitious to both 76. Afflictions are sent for the good even of good Men and it is their fault if they have not that effect 77. Let thy Afflictions make thee humble and thy deliverance therefrom the more increase thy humility 78. Follow Peace and Holiness with all Men not only with your Friends but with your very Enemies that you may be the Children of the HIGHEST and of a good example to all Mankind 79. Happy is he that shall be exeâ—â—is'd in these things and he that layeth them up in his Heart shall become Wise Something touching Excess by Judge Hales THe great folly of Mankind is the unruliness and want of Government of the Sensual Appetite or Lusts Hence grows Intemperance and Excess in Eating and Drinking unlawful and exorbitant Lusts and these exorbitances break out into very foolish vain and imprudent actions exhaust the Estate wast and consume the Health embase and impoverish the mind destroys the Reputation and fills the World with much of that folly and disorder that is every where observable It was alwaies my care to use the Creatures with Temperance and Moderation Not to Luxury and Excess to make provision for my Lusts with Vain-glory or Ostentation but for the convenient support of my Nature and Condition I looked not upon the Wine when it gave its colour in the Cup nor gave my self over either to Excess or Curiosity in Meats or Drinks I checked my self therein And still remembred I had the Creatures under an account and was ever careful to avoid excess or intemperance because every excessive Cup or Meal was in danger to leave me in arrear to my LORD A POSTSCRIPT by J. P. THOU shalt well consider in thine Heart and remember all the Way that I have hitherto led thee to try thee and to prove thee that thou maist in the following part of thy Life know and acknowledg the GOD of all thy Mercies Oct. 13. 1687. O LORD Cleanse THOV me and I shall be clean Purge and Purifie THOV me that I may be as white as Snow without spot or wrinkle or any such thing This this is that my Soul hath long longed for and now beg of THEE that it may be fully accomplished to THY Honour and Glory henceforth even for ever and ever Oh! hear defer not I beseech THEE to forgive whatever has been amiss in me even for THY Great Names sake for THY Suffering Seeds sake and THY Endless Infinite and Incomprehensible Mercies Sake which hath ever been extended towards all who have put their whole trust and confidence in THEE as I do at this Day Glory Glory for ever be to THEE OTHOV most HIGH who wert who art and who art to come GOD Blessed for ever and for evermore Amen and Amen Octob. 19. 1687. This following was Writ the same day of the foregoing month and several Copies sent to my Friends and Acquaintance in and about London and is here Printed for the Sake and Service of all concern'd therein Dear People YOu who are from your Habitations I am at this Moment in suffering for you and am made in that Love that is not of this World to intreat and beseech you who have in any measure tasted of the Good Word of GOD to return every Individual of you to your own Homes Tents and Tabernacles and there to wait in the stilness and silence of all flesh for the Resurrection of that Life and Power which at present seems to lye Dead and as it were even Buried in most Oh! reject not withstand not but be freely given up to the Counsel and Advice herein given you then will you reap the Benefit and I the Reward of this my Love and Faithfulness towards you all J. P. Choose you whom ye will serve But as for me and mine we are bound and ingaged to serve the LORD the great GOD only