Book I. of J fi s u s C H R I s T. 49

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is to behadby thefe zealous Exercifes^which Folly and Inconfideration quickly lofe again. One would won- der indeed, how men can indulge their Mirth to fo extravagant a degree ; when the Miferies of this Life, and the Sins we have to account for^arc fo many and fo great, that a Man who kriovZy connders the Dan- ger his Soul is in, can very hardly be merry at all, without fome fudden Damp upca his Spirits. It is from the Levity of our own untlimking Minds, a flu- pid forgetfulnefs of our Sinful Condition, and a con- tinuing infenfible of thofe Sorrows which ought moil tenderly to affect us, that we fo often indulge theEx- ceffes of Laughter and Gayety, when Sighs and Tears would much better become us.
AfTure your felf, there can be no true Liberty, no innocent Merriment,withouL the Fear of God, and a good Confcience. Happy therefore is the Man, who can difengagehimfelf from all thofe Hindrances,which the Bufmefs and Diverfions of the World call in his way ^ and can give his Thoughts up entirely to that godly Sorrow, which worketh Rei :ent;^.iice and Sal- vation. Flappy He, that can abar- on everything by which his Confcfence is defi!:'-' or burthened ; and fet himfelf at liberty from treacnerous and enfnaring Pleafures. And this may be cotrpafled by Refoluticn and Conftancy. For, how difficult and contrary foe- ver it may feem to the general way of the World, and our own former Pradice ; yet no Habit is fo flrong, but by frequent and Manly Attempts the dired con- trary Habit may be acquired and confirmed.
If you will firmly fet your felf to let other Peoples Affairs alone. They will follow the Example, and not concern themfelves with yours. Do not therefore create unneceffary Trouble to your felf, by making other Mens Bufmefs your own, and involving your Thoughts and Cares in Matters of Perfons above you. Leave the Great Ones of the World to manage their
own
50 ^l tilZ imitation Book L
own Concerns, and keep your Eyes and Obfervadon at home. Your own Soul is the thing you ought to look after : This requires your nicefl Infpedion, and utmoft Diligence^ and the Cenfuring and Corre(5Hng your felf, is a Duty which fliould take place above the Advifing or Reproving the deareft Friend you have. It maybe, thisReferve may be interpreted Sul- lennefs, and lofe you the Favour and good Etteem of Men; but let not that Lofs afflict you. There can be no lb juft Ground of DiiTatisfadion and Remorfe, as the not behaving your felf with all the ftrid Virtue and Circumfpec^ion, which becomes a Perfon who hath renounced the World, and devoted himfelf to the Service of God. 'Tis true, an honourable Opi- nion of Us is a Comfort : But it is fometimes better to want Variety of Comforts, than to have them. This is often the Cafe with Advantages merely hu- man^ the External, and the Worldly; And,as for thofe which are Spiritual, and derived from God, if we be either deprived of thefe, or not fenfible of their fvveet Refrefhment ; the Fault is our own, who negle(5t to put our felves into a fit Difpofition for them, by god- ly Sorrow for our Sins, and abandoning thofe vain and outward Comforts, which fiiould make room for the fubftantial and heavenly.
Get therefore a true and perfed Knowledge of your felf; fee and confefs^that you deferve not anyDi- vineConfolation,nayjthatyou do really deferveDefer- tion,andSorrow,and much Mifery.When aMan'sMind is inflam'd with a truly religious Zeal, this World ap- pears not only flat and infipid, but very bitter and loath- fom to him. A good Man can never fail of difcovering jud Matter of Gi-ief, and many Occafions that provoke his Tears. For, whether he confider his own Cir- cumitances, or thofe of other Men, he will find that no Man here is exempted from Calamities. And the. more clofely he confiders his ownCondicion,the great- er