Book lil. OfjBSUSCHRIST. 187

, : ■ I*
than any Creature can either quench, or in a good Degree affwage. Unite me to thy felt wich inviolable Bands of Holy Love, fo fliall my Soul be latisJied ; for thou alone canft anfwer all my Longings, and the whole World without thee is trifle^ and emptinefs^, and nothing.
Chap- XXVIII.
Againfl a Bujy Inq^uifitive Temper,
€/&r//?.]Ty yTY Son, have a care of indulging a cu- i.VjL rious Humour, and do not create to rhy felf unnecellary Troubles, by meddling with Matters or Perfons which are no part of thy Concern. For what is This or That to Thee ^ Folloiv thou me. What have you to do with the Virtues or Vices, the Condu(5l or the Indifcretions of others ; how they behave them- felves, what Company they keep, or with what Dif- courfe they entertain one another ? Why all this eager and intemperate Zeal to vindicate or to accufe them? You ftiall not anfwer for their Mifcarriages, nor be one whit the better for their Excellencies. Your own Words and Ac5bions are the only things you will be called to account for.Therefore look well toThenj,and beware left this bufie and malicious Impertinence do not inflame thatReckoning.Troublenot your felf to turn Informer,and take not upon you to be a Judge. Leave that to Me, I know every Man throughly , and no- thing which is done under the Sun can efcape my Obfervation. I am perfe^ly apprifed of each Perfon s Condition, fee every Adion, nay, every Intention, every Defign ^ and not only what they do, but what they drive at. Thefe things are far rem.oved out of your Sight, and therefore you cannot judge truly, if
N 4 you
1 83 HDf rm fmitatiotr Book III.
you might attempt it innocently. But know^ once more, that Judgment is my Prerogative^ and therefore it were Impudence and Ufurpation in you to attempt it, if you were qualified to judge others. Study rather to be quiet^ contain your felf within your own Bull- nefs ; and let the prying, cenforious^ the vain and in- trieguingWorld follow their ownDevices ; for all which they fhallaffuredly beoneDay fummoned to a fevere Account ; for all their Arts and fpecious Colours can- not impofe upon me. Engage not with them in the fame Defigns, nor let the Empty Phantom of a great Reputation^the Pride of numerous and honourable Re- lations or Acquaintance^ or the particular Intimacies and Friendihips of Celebrated Perfons engage your Time and Thoughts. Thefe only ferve to diftradand perplex the Mind^ and cheat you at laft with fond Ex:- peculations ; they lead you into a Mill, and there they leave you, loft and bewildred. But I would fhew thee the true Way ^and communicate my Inftrudions freely, wert thou but at leifure to receive my Secrets, and careful to obferve my Motions , by opening the Door when I knock, and watching all Opportunities of entertaining me in thy Heart.
Chap. XXIX.
Of Lafling Teace^ an J True Goodnefs.
CSri/.jT^His was my Promife to my Difciples here- A tofore, Teace I leave with you, my Teace I Jcfjn xiv. i^'^^ unto you, not as the World givethy give
I unto you. But, though Peace be in eve- ry Man s Wiflies, yet the Qualifications and Predifpp- fitions, neceflary for procuring and preferving it, are the Care of very few. My Peace takes up its
dwel-