And seeing thou hast appointed,1 that we should be occupied in some travel and work profitable to the commonwealth, which also may keep our selves from idleness, incline my heart to obey this thy commandment, not only for other causes, but chiefly because thou wilt have it so, and with cheerfulness that may shake off tediousness and untowardness, as far as of my frailty may be obtained. In the works of my calling let me keep my heart from all distemperature, disorder and rebellion, and contain my self from every evil way: in the good success §Ewhich thou givest, let me not be lifted up with lightness: in the contrary, not cast down with immoderate heaviness. Let me see good and sufficient cause of intermitting the same as oft as I cease from it,2 and let my mind be stable and well settled to follow thee, though the actions of the day be many and variable. In all companies let me frame my self this day, to be harmless and innocent at home: let me be wary against the common evils which are in families, as brawling, disagreeing with any, anger, uncharitableness, ⟨p. 408⟩reviling, provoking, or being provoked by others; but forbearing and §Fforgiving, if I have ought against any; so let me be free from foolish jesting, slandering of others, lying, unprofitable and needless talking: So abroad, let me not fashion my self after the evil example of the world in these or the like, but humbly carrying my self towards mine equals, giving honour to my betters; and making my self equal with those who are my inferiors, as knowing my self what I am. And not only so, but as I shall have opportunity, grant (good Lord) that I may do good by exhorting, teaching, comforting and admonishing, and offering my self to take good by receiving the same where I may, that thus I may leave no ill savour in any place; but with comfort,3 call to mind the companies that I have been in, and not with §Gan evil conscience. And that part of the day which I shall have free from the fore-mentioned duties to be alone, whether journeying, sitting, walking or lying, grant (most merciful father) that my heart may be weaned from vain cogitations and fond desires even the secretest: and that out of the good treasury of my heart, I may raise holy and profitable meditations;
And seeing thou hast appointed,1 that we should be occupied in some trauell and worke profitable to the commonwealth, which also may keepe our selues from idlenesse, incline my heart to obey this thy commandement, not onely for other causes, but chiefly because thou wilt haue it so, and with chearfulnesse that may shake off tediousnesse and vntowardnesse, as farre as of my frailtie may be obtained. In the workes of my calling let me keepe my heart from all distemperature, disorder and rebellion, and containe my selfe from euerie euill way: in the good successe §Ewhich thou giuest, let me not be lifted vp with lightnesse: in the contrary, not cast downe with immoderate heauinesse. Let me see good and sufficient cause of intermitting the same as oft as I cease from it,2 and let my mind be stable and well setled to follow thee, though the actions of the day be many and variable. In all companies let me frame my selfe this day, to be harmelesse and innocent at home: let me be warie against the common euils which are in families, as brawling, disagreeing with any, anger, vncharitablenesse, ⟨p. 408⟩reuiling, prouoking, or being prouoked by others; but forbearing and §Fforgiuing, if I haue ought against any; so let me be free from foolish iesting, slandering of others, lying, vnprofitable and needlesse talking: So abroad, let me not fashion my selfe after the euill example of the world in these or the like, but humbly carying my selfe towards mine equals, giuing honor to my betters; and making my selfe equall with those who are my inferiours, as knowing my selfe what I am. And not onely so, but as I shall haue oportunitie, graunt (good Lord) that I may do good by exhorting, teaching, comforting and admonishing, and offering my selfe to take good by receiuing the same where I may, that thus I may leaue no ill sauour in any place; but with comfort,3 call to mind the companies that I haue bene in, and not with §Gan euill conscience. And that part of the day which I shall haue free from the fore-mentioned duties to be alone, whether iourneying, sitting, walking or lying, graunt (most mercifull father) that my heart may be weaned from vaine cogitations and fond desires euen the secretest: and that out of the good treasurie of my heart, I may raise holy and profitable meditations;
- 12 Prayer for discharge of duty in our calling, and for blessing in it.
- 23 For that part of the day which is passed in company, that it may be aright.3 For that part of the day vvhich is passed in company, that it may be aright.
- 34 For the right use of solitariness.4 For the right vse of solitarinesse.
