SEEK A CONVENIENT TIME(Eccles3:1) to yourself and meditate often upon Cod's lovingkindnesses.
Forsake curious questionings, but read diligently matters which rather yield contrition to your heart than Occupation to your head.
If you will withdraw yourself from speaking vainly and from gadding idly, as also from hearkening after
new things and rumors, you shall find time enough and suitable for meditation on good things.
The greatest saints avoided, when they could, the Society of men (Heb. 11:38), and did rather choose to live to God in secret.
A certain one has said: "As oft as I have been among men, I returned home less a man that I was before."
And this we often hnd true, when we talk long together. It is easier altogether to hold one's peace, than not speak more words than we ought. It is easier for a man to keep himselit well at home than when he is abroad.
He therefore who intends to attain to the more inward and spiritual things of religion must with Jesus depart from the multitude (Matt. 5:1).
No man sately appears abroad, but he who gladly hides himself. No man safely speaks, but he who willingly holds his peace (Eccles. 3:7). No man safely Tules, but he who is willingly in subjection. No man safely commands, but he who has learned well to obey.
No man safely rejoices, unless he has within him the witness of a good conscience (Acts 23:1).
And yet always the security of the saints was full of the fear of God. Neither were they the less anxious
and humble in themselves, for they shined outwardly with great virtues and grace. But the security of bad
men arises from pride and presumption, and in the end it turns to a man's own deceiving.
Never promise yourself security in this life, although you seem to be a good religious man, or a devout hermit. Ottentimes those who have been greater in the esteem of men have fallen into the heavier peril by overmuch self-confidence. Wherefore to many it is more profitable not to be altogether free from temptations, but to be often assaulted, lest they should be too secure, and so perhaps be pufted up with pride, or else too freely yield to worldly comforts.
Oh, how good a conscience would he keep, who did never seek after transitory joy, nor ever entangle him-
self with this world! Oh, how great peace and quietness would he possess, who did cut off all vain anxiety, and think only upon divine things, and such as are proftable for his soul, and place all his hope in God
No man is worthy of heavenly comtort, unless he has diligently exercised himself in holy contrition. If you desire to be truly contrite in heart, enter into your secret chamber and shut out the tumults of the world.
In your chamber you shall find what you shall too often lose abroad (Matt. 6:6). Your chamber, if you continue therein, grows sweet; and if you keep it little, it begets weariness. If in the beginning of your religious life you are content to remain in it, and keep to it well, it will afterward be a dear friend and a very pleasant comfort. In silence and in stillness a devoutsoul profits and learns the hidden things of the Sriptures. There he finds rivers of tears, wherein he may every night (Ps. 6:6) wash and cleanse himself, that he may be more familiar with his Creator, the farther off he lives from all worldly disquiet. Whoso therefore withdraws himself from his acquaintances and friends, God will draw near unto him with His holy angels.
Why are you desirous to see that which you may not have? "The world passeth away, and the lust thereof (1John 2:17). Our sensual desires draw us to rove abroad; but when the hour is past, what do you carry home but heaviness or conscience and distraction of heart? A merry going torth brings often a sad returning, and a merry evemmg makes a sad morning (Prov. 14:13). So all carnal joy enters gently, but in the end bites and stings to death (Prov. 23:7, 31, 32).
What can you see elsewhere, which you see not here (Eccles. 1:10)? Behold the Heaven and the earth and all the elements, tor of these are all things created.
What can you see anywhere that can long continue under the sun? You think perchance to satisfy your
selt, but you never attain it. Should you see all things present betore your eyes, what were it but an empty vision (Eccles. 3:11)?
Lift up your eyes (Ps. 121:1) to Cod in the highest, and pray Him to pardon your sins and negligences.
Leave vain things to the vain; but be intent upon those things which God has commanded you. Shut your
door and call unto Jesus, your Beloved. Stay with Him in your closet; for you shall not find elsewhere so great peace. If you had not gone abroad and hearkened to idle rumors, you would have remained in happy peace.
But since you delight sometimes to hear new things, it is but fit you suffer disquietude of heart theretrom.