The beatitudes

4. Works of mercy are to be done in humility; away Rule. 4 with ostentation; the worm breeds in the fairest fruit, the moth in the finest cloth. Pride will be creeping into our best things; beware of this dead fly in the box of ointment. When Moses face did shine, he put a veil over it; so while your light shines before men, and they see your good works, cover your selves with the veil of humility; as the silk-worm, while she weaves her curious works, hides her self within the silk, and is not seen; so we should hide our selves from pride and vain-glory.

4. Works of mercy are to be done in humility; away Rule. 4 with ostentation; the worm breeds in the fairest fruit, the moth in the finest cloth. Pride will be creeping into our best things; beware of this dead flie in the box of oyntment. When Moses face did shine, he put a vail over it; so while your light shines before men, and they see your good works, cover your selves with the vail of humility; as the silk-worm, while she weaves her curious works, hides her self within the silk, and is not seen; so we should hide our selves from pride and vain-glory.

'Twas the sin of the Pharisees, while they were distributing alms, they did buccina canere, blow the Trumpet^*, ⟨p. 220⟩Matth. 6.2. They did not give their alms, but sell them for applause. A proud man casts his bread upon the waters, as a Fisherman casts his Angle upon the waters, he angles for vain-glory. I have read of one Cosmus Medici, a rich Citizen of Florence, that he confessed to a near friend of his, he built so many magnificent Structures, and spent so much on Scholars and Libraries, not for any love to Learning, but to raise up to himself Trophies of Fame and Renown^*. An humble soul denies himself, yea, even annihilates himself; he thinks how little it is he can do for God; and if he could do no more, it were but a due debt; therefore looks upon all his works as if he had done nothing