A discourse concerning meekness and quietness of spirit to which is added, A sermon…

It is the excellent Advice of Epictetus, whatever we take a pleasure in, to consider the Nature of the thing, and to proportion our complacency accordingly: [Greek or Hebrew]. If thou art in love with a China-Cup, or a Venice-Glass, ⟨p. 141⟩love it as a piece of brittle Ware, and then the breaking of it will be no great Offence, nor put thee into any disturbing Passion, for it is but what thou didst expect. Those that Idolize any thing in this World, will be greatly discomposed, if they be crossed in it. The Money which Micah's Mother had, was her God, (it is Bishop Hall's Note) before it had the shape either of a Graven or a Molten Image, else the loss of it would not have set her a cursing, as it seems it did, Judg. 17. 2. Those that are greedy of Gain, trouble their own Hearts, as well as their own Houses, Pro. 15. 27. They are a burden to themselves, and a Terror to all about them. They that will be rich, that are resolved upon it, come what will, cannot but fall into these foolish and hurtful lusts, 1 Tim. 6. 9. And those also that serve their own Bellies, that are pleased with nothing unless it be wound up to the height of Pleasure-ableness, that are like the tender and delicate Woman, that would not set so much as the Sole of her Foot to the Ground, for Tenderness and Delicacy, lye very open to that which is disquieting, and cannot, without a great Disturbance to themselves, bear a Disappointment: And therefore Plutarch (that great Moralist) prescribes it for the Preservation of our Meekness, Not to be curious in Diet, or Clothes,¹ or Attendance; for (saith he) they who need but few things, are not liable to Anger, if they be disappointed of many.

It is the excellent Advice of Epictetus, whatever we take a pleasure in, to consider the Nature of the thing, and to proportion our complacency accordingly: 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. If thou art in love with a China-Cup, or a Venice-Glass, ⟨p. 141⟩