course without his seeking; if not in his power, he will but fret and vex himself by striving for it.-Tucker.

REMEMBER, there is but one man in the world with whom you are to have perpetual contention, and be always striving to exceed him; and that is-yourself.-Law.

MAKE not the consequences of virtue the ends thereof. Be not beneficent for a name or cymbal of applause; nor exact and just in commerce, for the advantages of trust and credit, which attend the reputation of true and punctual dealing: for these rewards, though unsought for, plain virtue will bring with her. To have other by-ends in good actions sours laudable performances, which must have deeper roots, motives, and investigations, to give them the stamp of virtues.-Sir Thomas Browne.

So false is the heart of man, so clancular and contradictory are its actions and intentions, that some men pursue virtue with great earnestness, and yet cannot with patience look upon it in another. Is it not plain, that not the virtue, but its reputation, is the thing that is pursued? And yet, if you tell the man so, he thinks he hath reason to complain of your malice or detraction. Who is able to distinguish his fear of God from fear of punishment, when, from fear of punishment, we are

brought to fear God? And yet the difference must be distinguishable in new converts and old disciples; and our fear of punishment must so often change its circumstances, that it must be at last a fear to offend out of pure love, and must have no formality left to distinguish it from charity. It is easy to distinguish these things in precepts, and to make the separation in the schools; the head can do it easily, and the tongue can do it; but when the heart comes to separate alms from charity, God's glory from human praise, fear from fear, and sincerity from hypocrisy; it does so intricate the questions, and confound the ends, and blind and entangle circumstances, that a man hath reason to doubt that his very best actions are sullied with some unhandsome excrescency, something to make them very often to be criminal, but always to be imperfect. Taylor.

OBSERVE narrowly whether, in any Christian duty, thou at all considerest the praise of men; or, even in the most indifferent action, look whether thou hast not too eager a desire of it; and if thou findest thyself inclined that way, have a very strict eye upon it; and whenever thou findest it stirring, check and resist it: suffer it not to be the end of thy actions; but in all matters of religion, let thy duty be the motive; in all indifferent things of common life, let thy reason direct thee; and, though thou mayst so far consider in those things the opinion of men, as to observe the rules of common decency, yet never

think any praise that comes into thee from anything of that kind, worth the contriving for.

Set up to thyself another aim, viz. that of pleasing God. Let that be thy inquiry when thou goest about anything, whether it be approved by Him? and then thou wilt not be at leisure to consider what praise it will bring thee from men. If at any time thou art praised, do not be much overjoyed with it, nor think a jot the better of thyself; but if it be virtue thou art praised for, remember it was God who wrought it in thee, and give Him the glory, never thinking any part of it belongs to thee if it be some indifferent action, then remember that it cannot deserve praise, as having no goodness in it. But, if it be a bad one (as amongst men such are sometimes likeliest to be commended), then it ought to set thee a humbling instead of rejoicing; for then that woe of our Saviour's belongs to thee. 'Woe unto you when men shall speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets. And there is not a greater sign of a hardened heart, than when men can make their sins the matter of their glory. Let thy prayers assist in the fight with this corruption.-(From the Whole Duty of Man.)

F

HUMILITY.

Take heed of overweening, and compare

Thy peacock's feet with thy gay peacock's train;

Study the best and highest things there are,

But of thyself a humble thought retain.

Cast down thyself, and only strive to raise

The glory of thy Maker's sacred name;

Use all thy powers that blessed Power to praise,

Which gives thee power to be, and use the same.-SIR JOHN DAVIES.

I am a sinful man, O Lord.

Take my yoke apon you, and learn of me, for I am merk and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto quur souls.

Be that humbleth himself, shall be exalted.

Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Buly: dwell in the high and holy place; with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

THINK not thyself better for anything that happens to thee from without. For although thou mayst by gifts bestowed upon thee be better than another, as one horse is better than another, yet as thou art a man, thou hast nothing to commend thee to thyself, but that only by which thou art a man; that is, by what thou choosest and refusest.-Jeremy Taylor.

How nobly doth that little lark mount up singing towards heaven in a right line; whereas, the hawk, which is stronger of body and swifter of wing, towers up by many gradual compasses to his highest pitch! That bulk of body and length of wing hinders a direct ascent, and requires the help both of air and scope to advance his flight; whilst that small bird cuts the air without resistance, and needs no outward furtherance of her motion. It is no otherwise with the souls of men in flying up to their heaven. Some are hindered by those powers which would seem helps to their soaring up thither; great wit, deep judgment, quick apprehension, send men about with no small labour for the recovery of their own incumbrance; whilst the good affections of plain and simple souls, raise them up immediately to the fruition of God. Why should we be proud of that which may slacken our way to glory? Why should we be disheartened with the small measure of that, the very want whereof, may, as the heart may be affected, facilitate our way to happiness.Bishop Hall.

SURELY, a humble husbandman that serveth God, is better than a proud philosopher, that, neglecting himself, studies the course of the heavens.

Presume not upon thyself, but place thy hope in God. Do what lieth in thy power, and God will assist thy good will.

Value not thyself for the strength or beauty of thy body, which is spoiled and disfigured with a little sickness.