_Of the love of solitude and silence._
SEEK a convenient time to retire into thyself. Meddle not with
curiosities.
Read such things as may rather yield compunction of heart, than busy
thy head.
If thou wilt withdraw thyself from superfluous talk and useless
visits, as also from hearkening after news and rumours, thou shalt find
sufficient leisure to meditate on good things.
*2. One said, “As often as I have been among men, I returned less a
man;” and this we often find true, when we have been long in company.
It is easier not to speak at all, than not to speak more than we should.
It is easier to keep at home, than to be sufficiently upon our guard
when we are abroad.
He therefore, that intends to attain to inward and spiritual things,
must with Jesus retire from the multitude.
No man safely goes abroad, but he who is willing to stay at home.
No man can speak safely, but he who is willing to hold his peace.
No man ruleth safely, but he that is willing to be ruled.
*No man safely commands, but he that hath learned readily to obey.
No man safely rejoiceth, unless he hath within him the testimony of a
good conscience:
*And yet the security of the saints was always full of the fear of God.
Neither were they less careful and humble in themselves, because they
shone outwardly with grace and great virtues.
Those have often through confidence in themselves fallen into the
greatest dangers, who have been in the greatest esteem among men.
*Wherefore it is more profitable to many, not to be altogether free
from temptations, lest they should be too secure, lest they should be
puffed up with pride, or too freely incline to worldly comforts.
*O how good a conscience would he keep, that would never seek after
transitory joy, nor entangle himself with the things of this world!
O how great peace and quietness would he possess, that would cut off
all vain solicitude, and think only upon divine things, and such as are
profitable for his soul!
If thou desirest compunction of heart enter into thy closet, and shut
out the tumults of the world, according to the advice of the Psalmist,
(iv. 4.) _Commune with your own heart, and in your own chamber, and be
still._
In thy closet thou shalt find what abroad thou often losest.
The more thou frequented thy closet, the more thou wilt like it; the
less thou comest thereunto, the more thou wilt loath it.
If, in the beginning of thy conversion, thou passest much time in it,
it will afterward be to thee a dear friend and pleasant comfort.
4. In silence and in stillness a religious soul profiteth, and learneth
the hidden truths of holy scriptures.
There she findeth rivers of tears, and may be so much the more familiar
with her Creator, by how much the farther off she liveth from all
worldly tumult.
5. Why art thou desirous to see that which is unlawful for thee to
enjoy? For the world passeth away, and the desire thereof.
Our sinful desires draw us to rove abroad: but when the time is passed,
what carriest thou home with thee, but a burdened conscience, and a
dissipated heart!
A merry going out often bringeth a mournful return, and a joyful
evening a sad morning.
So all carnal joys enter pleasantly, but in the end bite and sting to
death.
What canst thou see elsewhere, which thou canst not see here? Behold
the heaven and the earth, and all the elements; for of these are all
things created.
6. What canst thou see any where, that can long continue under the sun?
Thou thinkest perhaps to satisfy thyself, but thou canst never attain
it.
Shouldst thou see all the things of this world, what were it but a vain
sight?
Lift up thine eyes to God in the highest, and pray to him to pardon all
thy sins.
*Leave vain things to the vain, but be thou intent upon those things
which God commandeth thee.
Shut thy door upon thee, and call unto thee _Jesus_ thy beloved.
Stay with him in thy closet; for thou shalt not find so great peace any
where else.
Hadst thou not gone abroad, and harkened to idle rumours, thou mightest
the better have remained in peace: but so long as thou delightest to
hear novelties, thou must endure trouble of heart.