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himself, as knowing that Nature will not bear everlasting droopings, and that pleasantness of disposition is a great key to do good: not only because all men shun the company of perpetual severity; but also for that, when they are in company, instructions seasoned with pleasantry both enter sooner, and root deeper. Wherefore he condescends to human frailties, both in himself and others; and intermingles some mirth in his discourses occasionally, according to the pulse of the hearer.

CARE OF SERVANTS' TIME.

His servants are all religious: and were it not his duty to have them so, it were his profit; for none are so well served as by religious servants; both because they do best, and because what they do is blessed, and prospers. After religion, he teaches them, that three things make a complete servant; truth, and diligence, and neatness or cleanliness. Those that can read are allowed times for it; and those that cannot, are taught: for all in his house are either teachers, or learners, or both; so that his family is a school of religion; and they all account, that to teach the ignorant is the greatest alms. Even the walls are not idle; but something is written or painted there, which may excite the reader to a thought of piety especially the 101st Psalm; which is expressed in a fair table, as being the rule of a family. And

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when they go abroad, his wife, among her neighbours, is the beginning of good discourses; his children, among children; his servants, among other servants. So that, as in the house of those that are skilled in music, all are musicians; so in the house of a preacher, all are preachers. He suffers not a lie or equivocation by any means in his house; but counts it the art and secret of governing, to preserve a directness and open plainness in all things: so that all his house knows, that there is no help for a fault done, but confession. He himself, or his wife, takes account of sermons, and how every one profits; comparing this year with the last. And, besides the common prayers of the family, he straightly requires of all to pray by themselves, before they sleep at night, and stir out in the morning; and knows what prayers they say; and, till they have learned them, makes them kneel by him: esteeming that this private praying is a more voluntary act in them, than when they are called to others' prayers; and that, which, when they leave the family, they carry with them.

FROM "THE CHURCH-PORCH."

Be calm in arguing; for fierceness makes
Error a fault, and truth discourtesy.
Why should I feel another man's mistakes,
More than his sicknesses, or poverty?

In love I should: but anger is not love,
Nor wisdom neither: therefore, gently move.

Calmness is great advantage. He that lets
Another chafe, may warm him at his fire,
Mark all his wand'rings, and enjoy his frets;
As cunning fencers suffer heat to tire.

Truth dwells not in the clouds: the bow that's there
Doth often aim at, never hit, the sphere.

Pitch thy behaviour low, thy projects high;
So shalt thou humble and magnanimous be.
Sink not in spirit: who aimeth at the sky,
Shoots higher much, than he that means a tree.
A grain of glory mix'd with humbleness,
Cures both a fever, and lethargickness.

Let thy mind still be bent; still plotting, where,
And when, and how, the business may be done.
Slackness breeds worms: but the sure traveller,
Though he alight sometimes, still goeth on.

Active and stirring spirits live, alone:
Write on the others, Here lies such a one.

GIDDINESS.

OH, what a thing is man! how far from power,
From settled peace, and rest!

He is some twenty sev'ral men, at least,
Each sev'ral hour.

One while he counts of heaven, as of his treasure;
But then a thought creeps in,

And calls him coward, who, for fear of sin,
Will lose a pleasure.

Now he will fight it out, and to the wars;
Now eat his bread in peace,

And snudge in quiet. Now he scorns increase;
Now all day spares.

He builds a house: which quickly down must go, As if a whirlwind blew

And crush'd the building: and, it's partly true;
His mind is so.

Oh, what a sight were man, if his attires
Did alter with his mind;

And, like a dolphin's skin, his clothes combin'd
With his desires!

Surely, if each one saw another's heart,

'There would be no commerce,

No sale or bargain pass; all would disperse,
And live apart.

Lord, mend, or rather make, us! One creation
Will not suffice our turn.

Except thou make us daily, we shall spurn
Our own salvation.

Milton.

ON HIS BLINDNESS.

WHEN I consider how my light is spent,

Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent, which is death to hide,
Lodg'd with me useless; though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest He, returning, chide;
"Doth God exact day-labour, light deny'd?”
I fondly ask. But patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies :-" God doth not need
Either man's work, or his own gifts: who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best: his 'state
Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed,

And post o'er land and ocean, without rest:
They also serve, who only stand and wait.'

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