himself, as knowing that Nature will not bear everlasting droopings, and that pleasantness of disposition is a great key to do good: not only because all men shun the company of perpetual severity; but also for that, when they are in company, instructions seasoned with pleasantry both enter sooner, and root deeper. Wherefore he condescends to human frailties, both in himself and others; and intermingles some mirth in his discourses occasionally, according to the pulse of the hearer. CARE OF SERVANTS' TIME. His servants are all religious: and were it not his duty to have them so, it were his profit; for none are so well served as by religious servants; both because they do best, and because what they do is blessed, and prospers. After religion, he teaches them, that three things make a complete servant; truth, and diligence, and neatness or cleanliness. Those that can read are allowed times for it; and those that cannot, are taught: for all in his house are either teachers, or learners, or both; so that his family is a school of religion; and they all account, that to teach the ignorant is the greatest alms. Even the walls are not idle; but something is written or painted there, which may excite the reader to a thought of piety especially the 101st Psalm; which is expressed in a fair table, as being the rule of a family. And when they go abroad, his wife, among her neighbours, is the beginning of good discourses; his children, among children; his servants, among other servants. So that, as in the house of those that are skilled in music, all are musicians; so in the house of a preacher, all are preachers. He suffers not a lie or equivocation by any means in his house; but counts it the art and secret of governing, to preserve a directness and open plainness in all things: so that all his house knows, that there is no help for a fault done, but confession. He himself, or his wife, takes account of sermons, and how every one profits; comparing this year with the last. And, besides the common prayers of the family, he straightly requires of all to pray by themselves, before they sleep at night, and stir out in the morning; and knows what prayers they say; and, till they have learned them, makes them kneel by him: esteeming that this private praying is a more voluntary act in them, than when they are called to others' prayers; and that, which, when they leave the family, they carry with them. FROM "THE CHURCH-PORCH." Be calm in arguing; for fierceness makes In love I should: but anger is not love, Calmness is great advantage. He that lets Truth dwells not in the clouds: the bow that's there Pitch thy behaviour low, thy projects high; Let thy mind still be bent; still plotting, where, Active and stirring spirits live, alone: GIDDINESS. OH, what a thing is man! how far from power, He is some twenty sev'ral men, at least, One while he counts of heaven, as of his treasure; And calls him coward, who, for fear of sin, Now he will fight it out, and to the wars; And snudge in quiet. Now he scorns increase; He builds a house: which quickly down must go, As if a whirlwind blew And crush'd the building: and, it's partly true; Oh, what a sight were man, if his attires And, like a dolphin's skin, his clothes combin'd Surely, if each one saw another's heart, 'There would be no commerce, No sale or bargain pass; all would disperse, Lord, mend, or rather make, us! One creation Except thou make us daily, we shall spurn Milton. ON HIS BLINDNESS. WHEN I consider how my light is spent, Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, And post o'er land and ocean, without rest: " |