_Of compunction of heart._
IF thou wilt make any progress, keep thyself in the fear of God, and
use not too much liberty.
Keep all thy senses under discipline, and give not thyself over to
trifling mirth.
2. The levity of our minds, and want of concern for our faults, make us
lose the sense of our inward state, and often laugh when we have cause
to weep.
There is no true liberty, nor right gladness, but in the fear of God,
and a good conscience.
Happy is he, that can avoid all distracting impediments, and recollect
himself in holy compunction.
Happy is he, that can abandon all that may defile or burthen his
conscience.
Resist manfully: one custom overcometh another.
3. Busy not thyself in matters which appertain to others: neither
trouble thyself with the affairs of thy betters.
Still have an eye to thyself first, and be sure to admonish thyself
before any of thy friends.
If thou hast not the favour of men, be not grieved at it; but grieve
that thou dost not carry thyself so warily and circumspectly as
becometh the servant of God.
*It is often better and safer that a man hath not many consolations
in this life, especially worldly ones. But that we have not at all,
or seldom, divine consolations, is our own fault, because we do not
altogether forsake vain comforts.
4. Didst thou oftner think of thy death, than of thy living long, there
is no question but thou wouldst be more zealous to amend.
I believe thou wouldst willingly undergo any labour, or sorrow, or
austerity, if thou didst consider within thyself the pains of a future
state.
But because these things enter not into the heart, and we still love
the things of the world, therefore we remain cold and slothful.
*Miserable thou art, wheresoever thou be, or whithersoever thou turnest,
unless thou turn thyself to God.
*Who is in the best case? He who can suffer something for God.
O brother, quit not thy hope of profiting in spiritual things: there is
yet time, the hour is not yet past.
5. Why wilt thou defer thy good purpose?
*Arise, begin this instant, and say, Now is the time to be doing, now
is the time to be striving, now is the time to amend.
But unless thou dost violence to thyself, thou shalt never get the
victory over sin.