except it be in some minds that have not suffered themselves to fix, but have kept themselves open and prepared to receive continuall amendment, which is exceeding rare.

But if the force of custome, simple and separate, be great, the force of custome, copulate, and enjoyned, and collegiate, is far great er; for there example teacheth, company com-' forteth, emulation quickeneth, glory raiseth, so as in such places the force of custome is in his exaltation. Certainly the great multiplication of vertues upon humane nature resteth upon societies well ordained and disciplined. For commonwealths and good governments doe nourish vertue grown, but doe not much mend the seeds. But the miserie is, that the most effectuall means are now applied to the end least to be desired.

Now this second rule of our art of life is to be applied, as in the art of a cunning husbandman or horticulturist in fostering the seeds of useful industry, and eradicating the filthy weeds of idleness,

Most part of men are early placed in the trammels of a trade or business, so that they need not to grope about for a choice of daily function; yet there are daily and continual allurements to idleness, so that it behoves a man to stand like a watchful sentry against this dangerous enemy. Vacant hours em ployed in the pursuit of some pleasing study, that is somehow connected with excellency in his particular profession, is what was greatly re

commended by Erasmus, and is good for men that are able to reach it.

Innocent recreations of archery, or the like, that chear the spirits without hurting the mind, and that strengthen the bodie, are fitter for men of low degree; and in all cases it is good to provide remedies against the irritating occurrences of mutable fortune. # 9911 Some men's fortunes indeed are, like Hoty mer's verses, that have a slide and easiness i more than others, but all ought to provide against that which is the usual lot of humass nity

Its Protowe, si ta zudt The best sailors are made on the rockiest shores, and the faculties of men are best ima proved by frequent danger.s

9

The fox hath become the most cunning of animals, as being continually exposed to the greatest number of enemies.

Let a man therefore dilligently perfect himself in this grand part of the art of life, adding daily to the strength of his industrious habits.

In this also hee will find vertue, as in other cases, its own reward. 199 I.

For it is in the dislocation of the powers of: the understanding and imagination, that men tal misery consisteth; and man is always hap py when the spirits have an easy flow, and when hee is in pursuit of something pleasing which hee thinketh hee may obtain.

Now a man in that state is not only easy and happy in himself, but he is agreeable also to others, and particularly to his family and

companions; for he will not be exposed to lie heavy upon the enjoyments of other men, or meddle injuriously with their particulars..:

When hee cometh to his own fire-side, he will be in good humour with his wife and his! family, especially if they are also busy in their.... own respective situations...

Hee will cast a chearful look around him wheresoever hee goeth, and bee kind to his. fellows, because he is at peace with himself.n About a good man in such a state there is an atmosphere of contentment and cheerfulness. that is the sweetest air a man can desire to breathe in; and women will delight in him, for hee may give them pleasure without trouble: or contradiction, and hee will say pleasing things to them, which charmeth and holdeth all the daughters of Eva.

****Although their thoughts may seem too severe, who think that few ill-natured men goe to Heaven; yet it must be acknowledged, that good-natured persons are best founded for that place; especially as it is certainly a very mistaken conceit, that we shall have nothing to do in the mansions of eternity with the social vertues, since Heaven is expressly called the city of God.

Now a city pre-eminently expresses what is sociala for

But whatever success they may have as to

Heaven, they are the acceptable men on earth; and happy is hee who hath his quiver full of them. for his friends.

These are not the dens wherein falsehood lurks, and hypocrisy hides its head; wherein frowardness makes its nest, or where malice, hard-heartedness, and oppression, love to dwell; but such as carry their hearts in their coun tenances, and need not be scrutinized, who make not only the best friends, but the most generous enemies.

Of the Roman emperors and other poten tates, the best were the busiest and best natu red; witness Trajan, Titus, and Marcus Aure lius; those pretious elohims of the earth, whose number is so small that they might be all written in the posey of a gold ring.

I remember to have been present at the last advices and injunctions' given by a wise and honourable man to his son and heir, then just entering into the tempestuous conflicts of life, and they made upon my mind so deep an impression, that I shall endeavour to set them down in this place...

The wife, the family, and servants of the good old man being present, he raised him self up upon his death bed, and he spake thus, with clear but feeble accents:

Advice of a father to his son, as

My son, I have trained thee up in the habits of industry and vertue. Continue to live happy in the elizium of a vertuously com

posed mind; and let intellectual contentments still hold the first place over those that are sensual.

Keep a tight rein upon the wild horses of Plato, that they may not carry you aside from your celestial journey :---thus much to thee as a scholar. But now, as unto a poor, fallible creature, I must tell thee, (with the desire of edifying all here present as well as thyself,) that without being constantly employed, it is hard, if not impossible, to be worthy.

"Make amusements your recreations, or, intermissive relaxations, and not your life and profession, Tranquillity is better than jollity, and to avoid and appease pain is better. than to invent new pleasure.

"Our hard entrance into the world, our miserable going out of it, our sicknesses, disturbances, and sad rencounters in it, doe all clamourously tell us wee come not into the world to run a race of delight, but to perform the sober acts and serious purposes of man and citizen, which to omit were foully to miscarry in the advantage of humanity, and to play away the noble stake of life, which can never be renewed.

Standing upon the narrow isthmus of life, look forward to the boundless ocean of eternity, and remember, that "non mutant animos qui trans mare currunt ;" that is, as the tree falls soe shall it lye. Think not that it bee possible for a refined spiritual nature to hee