Book L of J E susCkrist. 35-

Chap. XVIL
A Reclufe Life.
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'H E Man, who deHres to mainta-'n Peace and a JL good Underflanding with c^hsrSj , .uft learn, in order to it, in many Cafes to c:r.\' and f'uhdue him- felf. If then you would keep your rixiurd, or ad- vance forward in Piety and Viuue i^ofTefs your felf entirely with the Notion of your beii^^, no betrc" than a Stranger and Pilgrim only here upon Earth. As fuch, be content to forego the Enjoyments and E- fteem of the World, and to be accounted a Feci for Chrift's fake. For, 'till this be done, Yju are not duly prepared to retire, and enter into a courfe of Life wholly devoted to God and Religion.
The peculiar Habit, and Tonfure, and other For- malities, by which Monauicks are ciflinguifh'd from common Men, add nothing to their SanAity, nor con- tribute in the leaf!: to render them what they pretend to be. This can only be done by a Temper as diffe- rent from the reft of the World as their Way of Living: An entire change of manners, and an effectual Mor- tification of their Paflions and Defires. He thai re- treats out of any other Deflgn, but the Service and Honour of God, and the Salvation of his Soul, will be fo far from avoiding Mifery and Trouble, that he will involve himfelf in new and greater Troubles, and become more exquifitely wretched than the Affairs of the World could make him. No body can continue eafie in his own Mind, who does not endeavour to become leaft of all, and Servant of all.
Remember then that You come to Obey, and nor to Govern : The State of Life to which you are called, is a State of Labour and Hardftip, and much Suffer- ing ; not of Leifure, and Eafe, and Piverficn, You do
not
36 iPf tlje gimttation Book i.
not fo properly forHike, as change, your Bufinefs. For this fort of Life is fuch a Tryal of Men, as cheFire is of Gold : And none make good their Polt in it, but llich as are content to humble themfelves^and heartily and chearfuUy fubmit to any Thing for God's fake.
Chap. XVIII.
Of the Exa77^ples of Holy Men in former Ages,
IT will much contribute to our Progrefs and Encou- ragement ia Chriftian Virtues, to keep in View tnofe lively Patterns, which thofe holy Fathers have fet us^whofe Zealand exalted Piety (hone clear in for- mer Generations. For, by obferving the Brightnefs of Their Luitre, we fliall at the fame time difcern the Faintnefs and Dlmnefsofour own Light, and blufh to fmd the prefent Age fo much eclipfed by the unequal Comparifon. Alas ! how poor and mean are our At- t.^lnmencs when put into the Balance v^ith Theirs ! Thofe excellent good Perfons, thofe affedionate Friends and Followers of Chrift, ferved God inftantly^ in Hungerand Thirfl:^ in Cold and Nakednefs,in La- bour and W'earinefs, in Watchings and Fadings, in Prayers and holy Medications, in many Perfecutions an 3 flia rp Reproaches.
Blefied God ! how many,how grievous Miferies and IFardfhips did the Apolfles and Martyrs, the Confef- fors and Virgins endure heretofore ! And not They, only, but all thofe bi"ave and generous Souls in the pimitive and purer State of the Church,who made ic the ftudy of their v/hole Lives to tread in theSreps of ihcir meek and fuffeiing Saviour ! Thefe heavenly- minded Perfons even hated their own Lives unto the Death, that they might preferve them unto Life etcr-
nai.