Book I. of J E S U S C H R I S T. T^

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that Mutual Converfation gives fo great Delight^ not- withfcanding we fo feldom enjoy that Pleafure with perfed Innocence ,- the true Account^ I think is this. That we find our felves diverted by Difcourfe^ and unbend our Thoughts from feverer Studies : That what we defire and are moft fond of, or what we have the greateft Averfion to^ lies uppermoft in our Minds ,• and therefore we propofe fome Eafe in dif- charging our felves upon thefe Subjec5ls.
But how very feldom do we find that Eafe we pro- pofe by doing fo ? For this outward Confolation mightily takes off from that inw5ird and Spiritual Sa- tisfadion^ in which true Happinefs confifts. There- fore it is our Duty to Watch and Pray^, and to fill up the empty Spaces of Life^ with thefe holy and reti- red Exercifes. And, if at any time the Refrefhments of Company be chofen, and convenient i a. ftrid Guard fhould be fet upon cur Tongues^ that they ut- ter nothing amifs ; but improve thefe very Diverfions to the Edification of our felves, and them that hear us. Impertinent and lavifli Talking is in it felf a ve- ry vicious Habit, and a wretched Hindrance to our Spiritual Proficiency. And thefe two Confiderations ought to make us extreamly cautious in our Conver- fation. But it is the Privilege of Virtuous and Reli- gious Difcourfe^ that Piety and Goodnefs are won- derfully promoted by fuch Conferences. And then efpecially, when Perfons of the like Heavenly Spirit and Temper frequent one another's Company, with a Defign of improving by it, ^M^ fp^ /^/
CHAR
20 iS>t tf)z imitation Book i.
C H A p. XL
Of Peace of MinJj and a Dejire of Improvement.
MEN might live quiet and eafy enough, if they would be careful not to give themfelves trou- ble, and forbear meddling with what other People do and fay, in which they are no way concerned. But how (hould he be eafy, who makes other Mens Cares his own ? WhoinduftriouflyfeeksDifquiet, and when he might reft in Peace within Doors, goes abroad to invite and fetch Difturbance home to his Houfe? who takes fuch Pains, and fpends fo much Time to enquire into the Affairs of Neighbours and Strangers, altoge- ther foreign to him^ and feldom or never defcends in- to his own Breaft, that he may examine and under- ftand himfelf? Blejfed are the Meek, fays Maith.^ V. s. j.j,g Scripture, for they (Imll inherit the Earth
Jja.xxix. 19. ,j^ /-/ r 1 ' ^ ' 1 r 1
peaceably y and mcreaje their joy m the Lord, And whence is it, think you, that fome Holy Per- fons can fo perfedly abftrad themfelves from the Con- cerns of this World, and find fuch fatisfadlion in their Divine Retirements, and Solitary Contemplations ? From hence, no doubt ,* that they have made it their Bufinefs to mortify all earthly and fenfual AfTedions, and fo have devoted themfelves entirely to God, and are at liberty to attend upon Him without Diftradion. But we find the Cafe muchotherwife with us, becaufe our Paflions interrupt our Piety, and the Tranfitory Things of this World continue tenderly to afFed us. ^ We feldom gain an entire Conquelt over any one ill Habit \ nor are we zealous to make every day we live a Step to higher Degrees of Virtue. This is the reafon why we are fo cold and infenfible, or at beft, but lukewarm and indifferent, in the Exercifes of Piety and Private Meditation.
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