9. Ever since the transgression of our first parents, the pu rity of human nature, hath been miserably stained; its faculties have been sadly depraved; and its affections very liable to be deluded, influenced, and overcome by the world: ' 10. Inquire not into the secrets of God, but be content to learn your duty according to the quality of your person or employment. God's commandments were proclaimed to all the world, but his counsels are to himself, and his secret ones, when they are admitted within the veil. 17. Flatter not yourself that you have faith towards God, if you want charity towards your neighbour; for the one is a certain effect of the other. Neither follow a multitade to siu, Jest God make you share with them in their punishment. 12. Gold, though the noblest of metals, loseth its lustre when continually worn in the same purse with copper, or brass; and the best men, by associating themselves with the wicked, are often corrupted with their sins, and partake of their punishments. 13. Gregory Nyssen compared an usurer to a man giving water to one in a burning fever; which does him more harm than good: so the usurer, though he seem for the present to relieve his brother's wants, yet afterwards he grievously torments him. 14. Happy is he who allows himself time and leisure to make his peace with God, and sign a truce with heaven; but more to be admired is he, who is obliged to live in the midst of temptations, and yet can be in love with religion, to the Hast moment of his life. 15 He that only pleases himself, does himself no kindness, because he displeases God, his Creator, who commands us to be kind and good to all men, and to do to others, those things which we are willing should be done to ourselves. 16. If they go down to the pit, that do not feed the hungry, and clothe the naked; what will become of those that take away bread from the hungry, and clothes from the naked? If want of charity be tormented in hell, what will become of the covetous? 17. It is a commendable thing for a boy to apply his mind to the study of good letters; they will be always useful to him; they will procure him the favour and love of good men, which those, that are wise, value more than riches and pleasures. 18. King Darius's mother, when she heard of the death of Alexander, laid violent hands upon herself; not that she prefered an enemy before a son, but because she had experienced the duty of a son in him, whom she had feared as an enemy. L 19. Let us never measure our godliness by the number of sermons which we hear, but by the fruit we bring forth; without which all our hearing will serve but to bring us into that portion of stripes, which belongs to him that knows his master's will and does it not. 20. Lazy folks take the most pains. Some people are so careless, that they will run all hazards, rather than help themselves at the expense of a little trouble; and it generally happens, that they are the greatest sufferers in the conclusion. 21. Men are generally governed more by appearances than realities; and the impudent man, in his air and behaviour, undertakes for himself that he has ability and merit, while the modest or diffident gives himself up as one possessed of neither. 22. Many men are grown so negligent of seeking divine mercy betimes, that they put that off to the last which should have been the first part of their business; and many times their life is at an end before they begin their repentance. 23. No man is so prosperous and happy, but he has some unfortunate and sad days; and on the contrary, no man is so miserable, but he has some times of refreshment. Prosperity and adversity, by turns, succeed one another, as rain does fair weather, and fair weather raiu. 24. Nothing is more absurd than to extend our hopes and desires, our projects and designs for this world, beyond the term of our living here: and it is unreasonable for us to trouble ourselves about this world, longer than we are like to continue in it. 25. Obedience comprehendeth the whole duty of a man, both towards God, his neighbour, and himself; we should therefore let it be engraven on our hearts, that we may be useful in the commonwealth, and loyal to our prince. 26. Our life is a warfare, and this world a place of masteries, wherein the greatest garlands are allotted to those who sustain the greatest labours: for by the smart of our stripes is augmented the glory of our reward. 27. Pride is a very remarkable sin; and often meets with very extraordinary judgments, even in this life; but will certainly be punished in the next; for if God spared not the angels for this sin, but cast them into hell, let no man hope to speed better. 28. Personal merit is all a man can call his own. Whoever strictly adheres to honesty and truth, and leads a regular and virtuous life, is more truly noble than a debauched abandoned profligate, were he descended from the most illustrious family. 29. Riches are like dung, which stink in a heap; but being spread abroad, make the earth fruitful. It is but mere fancy to desire and esteem riches, except it be for the sake of using them. The best metals lose their lustre unless brightened by use. 30. Repentance, though it is not to be rested in as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof, which is the act of God's free grace in Christ; yet it is of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it. 31. St. Bernard in his youth, being troubled with a pain in his head, a certain woman proffered to cure him, by reciting a few verses by way of charm; but he refused, saying, I had rather endure the hand of God, than be cured by the hand of the devil. 32. Servants should not deal worse with their masters, for dealing better with them, but conscionably do their work, that the proverb may not be verified in them. He that pays his servant's wages aforehand, cuts off his right arm; that is, occasions him to be slothful and lazy. 33. The lawfulness of our actions may not be judged by the events, but by the grounds: the wise and holy arbiter of the world knows why, many times, the better cause hath the worst success: many a just business is crossed for a punishment to the agent. 34. Trade is so noble a master, that it is willing to entertain all mankind in its service; and has such variety of employments adapted to every capacity, that all, but the lazy, may support at least, if not enrich themselves. 35. Time is one of the most precious talents in the world, which the author of it has committed to our management! so precious, that he gives it us by drops; nor ever affords us two moments at once; but always takes away one, when he lets us have another. 36. Very wholesome advice was that which was given by a heathen philosopher, viz. make it no longer a matter of dispute, what are the marks and signs of a righteous man, but immediately set about it, and endeavour to become such an one. 37. Virtue (said a vicious man on his death-bed) as much outshines vice in splendour and light, as the glorious luminary of heaven, which runs its daily course in the lofty sky, does that small rush-light which stands glimmering by my bed's side. 38. Vain glory destroys all the fruits of a good action. He that prays, or gives alms to be seen of men, must take that as his reward; nor must he expect any other from heaven, but the portion of those hypocrites, that love the praise of men. more than the praise of God. 39. Upbraid no man's weakness to discomfort him, nor report it to him to disparage him; neither delight to remem ber it to lessen him, or set thyself above him. And be sure never to praise thyself, or to dispraise any man else, unless God's glory, or some good end do follow it. 40. Wicked breasts are false to themselves; neither trustng to their own choice, nor making choice of that which they dare to trust. They will set a good face upon their secretly unpleasing sins; and had rather be self-condemned, than wise and prudent. 41. We ought neither to be so eager for hording up treasure, as to withhold our hand entirely from giving; nor yet so careless and extravagant, as to let any thing be unprofitably lost, which might be useful to ourselves, or beneficial to others. 42. Young minds being fullest of ignorance, want instruction most: are fittest to receive it, as being freest from prejudices and worldly cares; and are apt to retain it best, being void of such corruptions as would otherwise expel ít. A SENTENCES IN VERSE. LIFE IS SHORT AND MISERABLE. H! few and full of sorrow are the days Like that frail flower, which with the sun's uprise, ON THE DILIGENT ANTS. Ants in battalia to their cells convey Bold is the wretch, and blasphemous the man, A FUTURE STATE CERTAIN. Brave youths the paths of virtue still should tread, And not by error's devious tract be led; Till free from filth, and spotless is their mind, By travel crown the arts, and learn abroad And various kingdoms know, and various climes : Christ's arms do still stand open to receive Conceited thoughts, indulg'd without controul, ON DEATH. Death at a distance we but slightly fear, He brings his terrors as he draws more near. Through poverty, pain, slav'ry, we drudge oa, The worst of beings better please than none: No price too dear to purchase life and breath, The heaviest burthen's easier borne than death, ON AMBITION. Dazzled with hope, we cannot see the cheat Of aiming with impatience to be great. When wild ambition in the heart we find, Farewell content, and quiet of the mind: For glitt'ring clouds, we leave the solid shore, And wonted happiness returns no more. ON THE SOLDIER. Eager the soldier meets his desp❜rate foe, |