deprive us of that time which ought to be better employ'd 23. Time fruitlesly passed away will in the end cause an aking Heart 24. Defile not thy Mouth with Swearing neither use thy self to the Naming of the Holy ONE 25. Let the Name of GOD be sparing in your Mouth but abundantly in your Heart 26. The Jews of Old accounted the Name JEHOVAH so Sacred that they durst not utter it the High 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 Youths Monitor p. 100. 27. It is a mark of folly and ill nature to hate reproof and far from his mind that said If the Righteous smite me it shall be a kindness and let him reprove me it shall be an excellent Oyl 28. Sin and Sorrow are inseparable Companions thou canst not let in the one and shut out the other he that swims in Sin must sink in Sorrow Divine Breathings p. 66. 29. Corrupt Examples may sway with weak Minds but the wise in Heart will regard and consider their own Duty Sam. Crosland 30. Noah had perished in the Waters if Times had carried him LOT had Burnt in Sodom if the Multitude had sway'd him The sins of Times GODS People may alwaies be pious mourners for them but never practisers of them Be ye what ever others are Righteous in your Generation before the LORD Idem 31. Oppose no Man willfulâ—lâ— neither follow any in evil Courses Idem 32. Obstinacy is an Advantage to our Enemies a Trouble to our Friends and the assured overthrow of our Selves 33. SO gracious is Providence that every Man has a Light set up within himself for a Guide Seneca 34. An Immutable Law which with the knowledg of Good and Evil is Engraven upon the Heart and Grafted into the Soul of Man. Origen 35. Let none blame the Light they are not Saved but their own Rebellion who refuse to be Saved by it No Man is without a Teacher to Instruct or Assist him in the Way to Eternal Life Chrysostom 36. The most excellent thing the Soul is awakened to is her Guide that is a Divine Spirit within But if man be Rebellious to it it will prove his Torment Pythagoras 37. Socrates frequently said he had the Guide of his Life within him and call'd it his good Angel or Spirit that suggested to his Mind what was Good and Vertuous and inclined and disposed to a Pious Life and that it furnished him with Divine Knowledge 38. The Vertue and Happiness of a Man depends upon the close correspondence of his mind with the Divine Will. Cleanthus 39. Seneca saith I have a clear and certain Light by which I may judge the Truth from Falshood that which appertains to the felicity of the Soul the Internal will direct to GOD is in us the Holy Spirit sits or resides in Man and is the observer of our Good or Evil Actions as HE is dealt with by us HE deals with us 40. GOD hath Built to HIMSELF a Temple in the Consciences of Men as the Place wherein HE would be Worshipped and that there Men ought to look for HIS Appearance Justinus 41. A Life Subject to the holy Guidings of the Universal Light in the Conscience is a kind of a natural Christianity or to be naturally a Christian Tertullian 42. Worship GOD reverence thy Parents know thy Self in Child-hood be Modest in Youth Temperate in Man-hood Just and in Old Age Prudent that thou maist die untroubled Chilon 43. Vertue is the Beauty and Vice the deformity of the Soul Socrates 44. Vertue is an Armour that none can pierce or take from good men Pleasure is one of the greatest Mischiefs in the World. Antisthenes 45. Where mens Souls are deeply and frequently employed in Spiritual Retirement and waiting for Divine Strength and are oft exercis'd in Meditation Holy Revelations or Illuminations will occur which enlightens the Soul and enables it the better to live and act Virtuously Diogenes 46. GOD grant that I may alwaies be so happy as to observe the venerable sanctity in my Words and Deeds which are commanded by those Noble Laws written in mens Hearts Sophocles 47. Cordially espouse all Vertue constantly hate and decline all Vice 48. To be humble to Superiors is Duty to Equals Civility to Inferiors Courtesie to all Safety 49. 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 50. The Glory of the Aged is their Experience and their Wisdom the Glory of a young Man is his Modesty and Submission 51. He that is a Companion of Riotus Men shameth his Father and dishonoureth his Mother 52. 'T is not for young Men to drink Wine nor for lovers of Vertue to be Drinkers of strong Drink 53. Be not a Companion with Wine-bibbers nor with Riotous eaters of Flesh Pro. 23.20 54. Deal by thy Estate which GOD in HIS Providence shall please to give Thee as Cicero once Ingeniously and Prudently advis'd Let them not be lockt up so close but that Wisdom and Liberality may have the Key and at any time come freely to them Neither let them lie so loose and open that Prodigality should abuse and wast them S. Crosland 55. He that will be Lavish in his Superfluities will afterwards find himself unavoidably straitned in his necessities Idem 56. Conscience once embased the Heart once polluted by Vicious Courses is not easily recover'd to the true Fear of the LORD Idem 57. Honour thy Father and forget not the Sorrows of thy Mother and take heed of Grieving Contradicting or Contending with them But with all Tenderness Modesty and Submission behave thy self towards them 58. Youth should be a Pattern for Vertue not a Priviledg for Vice Therefore let thy Vertues be Grave whilst thy Years are Green. 59. Plato seeing a young Man play at Dice reprov'd him sharply the other answered what for so small a matter custom said Plato is no small thing let idle hours be spent more usefully 60. Let youth take delight in good things for Pleasures are the Baits of evil Observe the momentary sweetness of a delicious life is follow'd with eternal Sorrow the short pain of the contrary with eternal Pleasures 61. Be meek and courteous to all yet choose only the Vertuous and Harmless for your Companions The Dove flocks not with Ravens 62. 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 63. Who heareth much and speaketh little may best discern Falshood from Truth 64. 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 65. Let
from HIM by any Temptations Divinarions Inchantments or Alurements whatsoever well knowing that one Hour in HIS presence is better then a thousand elsewhere 144. The Harlot by good Words and fair Speeches seeks to bewitch and beguile the Hearts of the Simple Happy is he that sees Her and the foot that turns from Her. 145 He that hath put his band to the Plow and Work of GOD ought not to look back what ever Reproach Tryal or Difficulty he meets with all neither should he that is engaged in a spiritual War-fare intangle himself with the Affairs of this life 146. Unless a Man be Circumcis'd in Heart and Ears he cannot be truly Happy 147. Antichrist's Kingdom was upheld and promoted in daies past by the Scribes and Pharisees in talking of the FATHERS Will But Christ's Kingdom was upheld and carried on in Doing the FATHER'S Will and as it was then so it hath been in this our Age. He that hath Ears to hear let him hear 148. Many have been call'd but few have follow'd the LORD fully who requires a Purifying yea a thorow Cleansing of all that this Day make mention of HIS Name 149. It is written of the OX that in daies past he knew his Owner and the Ass his Masters Crib but the People who professed the Name of the Most HIGH they had forgot HIM daies without Number and as it was then so it is now He that can receive it let him 150. The Way is narrow that leadeth unto Life and tho' many be the talkers of it yet â—ew there are that have found it or are walking in it 151. Many have a form of Godliness but most deny the Power thereof and from such the Righteous and Sincere are to turn away 152 To speak inwardly with GOD is the State and Happiness of an Heavenly and Spiritual Man. 153. The Blessing is not to the High nor to the Exalted but to the Poor in Spirit 154. A Meck and Quiet Spirit is of great Price happy are the Enjoyers and Possessors of it Hugo Grotius a Man of Vniversal Learning and profound Policy before he came to dye said I would give all my Learning and Honour for the plain integrity and harmless Innocency of Jean Vrick 155. Spiritual Worship is called for and Spiritual Worshippers are to be sought out happy 's the Man and happy 's the Woman that is fitted and prepared for it 156. The PEARL which many have lost is not to be found abroad he that would find it must dig deep for it 157. It is good for all to have salt in themselves that so the good Shepherd's Voice may be known from the Voice of a Stranger 158. He that knows and talks of his MASTERS Will and does it not must expect to be beaten with many Stripes 159. In the Inward work let all be Diligent and Zealous lest whilst they see the Evils of others they may be Blind to any that is within themselves and then are they miserable Therefore mind the fear of the LORD only and that will keep your own Hearts clean and will preserve you from being hurt or defiled by others 160. Happy 's the Man and happy 's the Woman that feareth alwaies that standeth in Awe and sinneth not 161. Truth leadeth its Followers into Humility and Lowliness of Mind and leads out of all Pride Conceitedness and Self-Exaltation 162. Truth Glories not in Multitudes nor the Followers of the LAMB in an Arm of Flesh 163. No Man nor Woman can know the true SHEPHERD'S Voice until they come to witness a silencing of all Flesh in themselves 164. Death and Destrution have long talked of the same of Wisdom but Wisdom is only justifi'd of her own Children happy are they that have an Ear to hear 'T is not the Doves but the Birds of Frey that feed upon the Carkass happy are they that have an Ear to hear so as to feed only upon the true Bread. 165. A Virtuous Good and Holy Life is more to be desired and is more accepted of then all the hearing or all the talking of Truth in words is or can be 166. This is certain no Soul goes to GOD in Death but only That which drew nigh to HIM in Life 167. He that hath the Law of the most HIGH witten in his Heart and is guided thereby cannot feed upon Wind nor be satisfi'd with a Multitude of Words For it is only the Word of LIFE that can satisfie the Hungry and Immortal Soul happy are they that have an Ear to hear 168. He that follows the Truth for the Loaves or for any Senister or By-end can never be an Inheritor or Possessor of the true Bread. 169. He that seeks the good of others ought not to be weary of well doing there being a Season in which he shall assuredly Reap if he faints not 170. He that cannot freely forgive his Enemies and reward Good for Evil cannot be a Disciple of JESUS that JUST and HOLY ONE 171. He that is not faithful to the Measure or Gift of GOD in himself whatever others say or do unto him is not nor cannot be CHRIST'S Disciple this Day 172. He that Builds upon the Faith of others Builds upon a Sandy Foundation and he that gives up his Vnderstanding and Judgment unto others whatever they be is one of those Builders He that hath an Ear to hear let him hear 173. But he that Builds upon the Grace and Gift of GOD in his own particular Builds upon a sure and safe Foundation yea he Builds upon that Foundation which the Gates of Hell cannot prevail against and which Men nor Devils can overthrow Happy are they that have Ears to hear so as to be Builders on that Foundation These are faithful and true SAYINGS He that can receive them let him 174. MY Soul saith in the bitterness thereof O what wilt THOV do for THY GREAT NAME Shall It be Dishonour'd and shall none lay it to Heart Shall the leadings of THY SPIRIT be departed from and shall none take It to be their GUIDE 175. Where are the People that are so Chast so Resign'd and so intirely given up to serve the LORD that they are willing to part with all for HIS sake 176. Where are they that are Valiant for the Truth and are stedfastly set to follow the LORD fully 177. Where is the Mind that is so Humbled as to follow HIM through all Reproaches and where are they that live by Faith and not at all by Sight 178. Where are the Hungerers after the true BREAD and where is the slain-Mind to all visible things 179. Where are the Sufferers with the SEED and where are Its True and faithful Companions who suffers with It in Its forsaken state and who joyns to It in all Exercises 180. The Eye that 's abroad cannot see HIM the Mind that 's at ease cannot behold HIM they that are full see no want of HIM they that slumber near HIM not but the silent Water hath joy in HIS presence Even so O LORD let THY Childrens whole delight be in THEE henceforth and for ever Amen To Day if you will hear HIS Voice harden not your hearts For in such an Hour and in such a Way as you think not of the SON of Man cometh It is my chiefest Care and greatest Concern to endeavour the Finishing every Worlt I have to do that when my daies are ended and the Work finished for which I came into the World I may have nothing else to do but to depart this Life in a Reaceable Quiet and Happy State. THOU shalt well consider in thinâ— Heart and remember all the Way that I have hitherto led Thee to try Thee and to prove Thee Thou that art the Author of these Collections that thou maist in the following part of thy Life know and acknowledge the GOD of all thy Mercies Oct. 3. 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 Endness 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. Several Coppies of this following were 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 forth 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 Oct. 19. 1687. 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 THE END
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 66. Rare are the men who set a higher price upon hearing then speaking 67. It is the Property of a good Man to do much and say little 68. The beginning of Strife is as when one letteth out Water therefore leave off Contention before it be medled with 69. A froward Man soweth Strife and a Whisperer separateth very Friends 70. Silence is a Guard of the Conscience a Bridle from Insolence and a sign of Innocence and preserves from many Evils 71. They that turn anothers words to a worse end than was intended shews an evil Mind and are far from doing therein as they would be done unto 72. There is more desirableness in Meekness and Innocency than in all the Mountains of Prey or Self-exaltation 73. A Vertuous Man is more Patient in Adversity than a Vicious in Prosperity 74. I will learn contentment by considering others wants and my own enjoyments and not learn discontent from others enjoyments and my own wants J. Hales 75. A Rich Worldling is rather to be pitied for what he wants than envied for what he has 76. Unsatiable desires in Temporals makes a man poor in Spirituals 77. How little soever the thing be if it be inordinately loved it defileth the Soul and hindreth the enjoyment of the CHIEFEST GOOD 78. There is nothing in the World conduceth more to the Composure and Tranouility 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 Stoyns 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 Gosken too and within it self when the rest of the World without is like an Aegypt for Contusion and Darkness 79. 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 Datkness 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 J. Hales Contempl. p. 374. 80. 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. 81. He that keeps the Law of GOD and abstains from the impurity of the World that is tâ—e good Man the just Liver he is the Apostles true Jew and Circumcition W. P. 82. The Curse of the LORD is in the House of the Wicked but HE blesseth the Habitation of the Just 83. Whoso feareth HIM it shall go well with them at the last and they shall find favour in the day of their Death 84. Let reason go before every Enterprise And Counsel before every Action B 85. Tho' a good Life may have but few daies yet a good Name endures for ever 86. What are the delights of the World to the Peace of my Consoience Rather let me be Poor with a good Heart than Rich with an evil Mind 87. How can Pleasures content me whilst the Sting of them Poyson me 88. Never think those true hearted Friends to thee that are false to their own Consciences 89. They who suffer their own Wills and Lusâ—s to Rule not only oppress others thereby but Riâ—le and crucifie the Just and Faithful Witness in themselves 90. There are no such Enemies without as unruly Lusts and Passions within therefore labour to overcome them all 91. The great folly of Mankind is the unruliness and want of Government of the Sensual Appetite or Lusts Hence grows Internperance and excess in Eating and Drinking which breaks out into very Foolish Vain and Imprudent Actions exhaust the Estate wast and consume the Health embase and impoverisheth the Mind destroys the Reputation and fills the World with much of that Folly and Disorder that is every where observable Judge Hales 92. Aâ— thou desirous of a Kingdom saies the Philosopher I will presently shew thee One. Rule Wisely over thy self 93. Erasmus saith What Men set forth by Mens device may be Perceiv'd by Mans Wit but the Thing that is set forth by the Inspiration of the Holy Ghost requireth an interpreter inspired with the like Spirit for without the Inspiration of It the secrets of GOD cannot be known 94. Our Eternal help is from GOD who Illuminates our Minds without WHOM we are unable to understand any thing in Divine Matters and HE inspires men with that understanding which neither Age nor Industry nor Doctrine of Man can possibly give Drusius 95. Chilon One of the Wise Men of Greece left these three Pathetical sayings behind Him 1. Whosoever thou art learn to know thy self 2. Be not earnest in thy desires after any Visible thing 3. Misery will be the end of Medling with many Matters 96. Humility and Abstinence keeps the Body and Mind in much Evenness and Tranquility but Pride and Fulness are Pernicious to both 97. Afflictions are sent for the good even of good Men and it is their fault if they have not that effect 98. Let thy Afflictions make thee humble and thy deliverance therefrom the more increass thy humility 99. 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 100. The clean Soul of a Christian is the House of GOD and also the House of Prayer whose Body is HIS Temple 101. 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 102. Prayer is a more Spiritual and Secret thing in the Sanctified than is understood by most 103. A just Man saies Chrysostom leaves not off to Pray unless he leaves to be just He alwaies Prays who alwaies does well the good desire is Prayer and if the desire be continued so is also the Prayer 104. To me the Strife of Men is wearisom their Threatnings their Flatteries their Applause their Revilings are all of them Wisely and Silently to be passed over by him that truly meaneth Peace on Earth or Glory in Heaven He were yet to seek saies a worthy Man how to live that knows not how to digest and put up such tryals as these 105. The first step to true Religion is to depart from Iniquity all other steps in Religious performances till that be availeth little for