The Soul's Conflict with Itself

In the uncertainty of all events here, labour to frame that contentment in and from our own selves, which the things themselves will not yield; frame peace by freeing our hearts from too much fear, and riches by freeing our hearts from covetous desires. Frame a sufficiency out of contentedness; If the soul it self be out of tune, outward things will do no more good than a fair shoo to a gouty foot.

In the uncertainty of all events here, labour to frame that contentment in and from our owne selves, which the things themselves wil not yeeld; frame peace by freeing our hearts from too much feare, and riches by freeing our hearts from covetous desires. Frame a sufficiencie out of contentednesse; If the soule it self be out of tune, outward things will doe no more good than a faire shooe to a gouty foote.

And seek not our selves abroad out of our selves in the conceits of other men. A man shall never live quietly, that hath not learned to be set light by of others. He that is little in his own eyes, will not be troubled to be little in the eyes of others. Men that set too ⟨p. 124⟩high a price upon themselves, when others will not come to their price, are discontent. Those whose condition i• above their worth, & their pride above their condition, shall never want sorrow; yet we must maintain our authority and the Image of God in our places, for that is Gods and not ours, and we ought so to carry our selves as we approve our selves to their consciences, though we have not their good words; Let none despise thy youth, saith Saint Paul to Timothy, that is, Walk s• before them as they shall have no cause. It is not in our own power what other men think or speak, but it is in o• power (by Gods grace) to live so, th• none can think ill of us, but by slandering, and none believe ill but by too much credulity.