The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Fourthly, If thou wouldst exercise thy self to godliness in Solitude, Accustom thy self to soliloquies, I mean to conference with thy self. He needs never be idle that hath so much business to do with his own soul. It was a famous answer which Antisthenes gave when he was asked what fruit he reaped by all his studies; By them, saith he, I have learned both to live and talk with my self. Soliloquies are the best disputes; every good man is best company for himself of all the creatures. Holy David enjoineth this to others; Commune with your own hearts upon your bed and be still, Selah, Psal. 4.4. Commune with your own hearts; when ye have none to speak with, talk to your selves. Ask your selves for what end ye were made, what lives ye have lead, what times ye have lost, what love ye have abused, what wrath ye have deserved? Call your selves to a reckoning, how ye have improved your talents, how true or false ye have been to your •rust, what provision ye have laid in for an hour of death, what preparation ye have made for a great day of account. Upon your beds: Secrecy is the best opportunity for this duty. The silent night is a good time for this speech. When we have no outward objects to disturb us, and to call our eyes (as the fools eyes are always) to the ends of the earth; then our eyes, as the eyes of the wise may be in our heads; and then our minds, like the ⟨p. 433⟩windows in Solomons Temple, may be broad inwards. The most successful searches have been made in the night season; the soul is then wholly shut up in the earthly house of the body, and hath no visits from strangers to disquiet its thoughts. Physicians have judged dreams a probable sign whereby they might find out the distempers of the body. Surely then the bed is no bad place •o examine and search into the state of the soul. And be still: Self-communion will much help to curb your head-strong, ungodly passions. Serious consideration, like the casting up of earth amongst Bees, will allay inordinate affections, when they are full of fury, and make such an hideous noise.

Fourthly, If thou woulst exercise thy self to godliness in Solitude, Accustom thy self to soliloquies, I mean to conference with thy self. He needs never be idle that hath so much business to do with his own soul. It was a famous answer which Antistenes gave when he was asked what fruit he reaped by all his studies; By them, saith he, I have learned both to live and talk with my self. Soliloquies are the best disputes; every good man is best company for himself of all the creatures. Holy David enjoyneth this to others; Commune with your own hearts upon your bed and be still, Selah,