The practice of piety directing a Christian how to walk, that he may please…

6. Beware of affecting Popularity by adulation: the end never proves good; and though attained by due deserts, yet manage it wisely, lest it prove more dangerous than contempt. For States desire but to keep down, whom they contemn for their unworthiness, but to cut off, whom they envy for their greatness: He therefore is truly prudent who (considering the premises) neither affecteth nor neglecteth popularity. But in any wise take heed of harbouring a^† discontented mind; for it may work thee more woe than thou art aware of. It is a special mercy, in the multitude of so many blessings, as thou dost enjoy, ⟨p. 165⟩to have some crosses. God gives thee many blessings, lest through want (being his child) thou shouldst despair: and he sends thee some crosses, lest by too much prosperity (playing the fool) thou shouldst presume. Many who have mounted to great dignities, would have contented themselves with^a meaner, had they known their ^bgreat dangers: affect therefore competency, rather than eminency. And in all thy will, have ever an eye to God's will, lest thy self-action turn to thine own destruction. Happy the Man, who in this short life is ^cleast known of the World, so that he doth truly know God, and himself! whatsoever cross therefore thou hast to discontent thee, remember, that it is less than thy sins have deserved. Count therefore Christ▪ thy chiefest joy, ⁵and sin thy greatest grief: esteem no want, to the want of Grace; nor any loss, to the loss of God's favour: and then the discontentment for outward means shall the less perplex thine inward mind. And as oft as Satan shall offer any motion of discontentment to thy mind, remember Saint Paul's admonition,⁶ We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain, ⁷