time to take root; and let it be moderate, not exceeding the quality of the fault, or the tenderness of the child. Immoderate or ill-natured and passionate correction, is so far from profiting children, that it very frequently frets and sharpens their spirits, and makes them more stubborn and untractable. If they are of a soft temper, it trights and dispirits them; this is also the natural effect of a sour, harsh, unkind behaviour: hence these solemn cautions of the Apostle, fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, Eph. vi. 4, avoid whatever tends thereto. Use no demeanor, no actions or words, or way of speaking which has such a tendency; and again, fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged, Col. iii. 21. It is a different word from that used in the former text, do not purposely fret or teaze them; lest you should dishearten them too much, lest you should destroy their courage and vigour of mind, and make them of a faint, fearful, dastardly spirit. The direction doubtless belongs to both the parents, but is more immediately addressed to fathers, as they are generally of rougher and harsher spirits than the mothers, and not so much restrained by natural fondness. Lastly, correction must not be given in anger; if it be, it will lose its effect on the child, who will think he is corrected, not because he has done a fault, but because the parent is angry. These direc

tions chiefly relate to young children; but even after they are grown up, you are still engaged to watch over their souls, to see how they practice the precepts which have been inculcated upon them from time to time, and to exhort, encourage, and reprove them accordingly; you are also to bless them first by your prayers. Parents are under a peculiar obligation, by daily and earnest prayer to commend their children to God's protection and blessing. You are, secondly, to bless them by your piety; see that you be such persons in all holiness of conversation, that from you the blessing of God may descend upon your posterity. As masters, you are to be just to your servants, whether apprentices, journeymen, or household servants, in faithfully and exactly performing the conditions on which they are engaged to serve you; particularly with regard to food, and the other necessaries and conveniences of life. You are to admonish and reprove them for their faults, more especially faults against God; but let this be done with all tenderness and mildness, forbearing not only bitter and opprobrious language, but even threatening, knowing that your master is in Heaven, and that there is no respect of persons with him. You are to set a good example to your servants, otherwise reproving will be but lost labour. It is your duty to pro

vide them with all means of necessary instruction, and allow them sufficient time to worship God in private as well as in public. You are to beware that you give them only reasonable and moderate commands, that you do not make their service toilsome to them, by laying on them greater burdens than they can bear, or greater than you would impose, or they would bear, if they were not of the household of faith. You are to encourage them in well doing, by using them with that kindness which their faithfulness, diligence and piety deserve in all your dealings with them remembering, you are to give an account to your master of the usage of your meanest servant.

Vol. IV. of the Works, p. 204.

HUMILITY.

The highest and most profitable lesson is the true knowledge of ourselves. It is a great wisdom to esteem ourselves nothing, and to think always well and highly of others. If thou shouldest see another openly sin, yet oughtest thou not to esteem thyself better than him. We are all frail; but, remember, none more frail than thyself.

Vol. VII. of the Works, p. 312.

PRIDE.

It hurts thee not, if thou thinkest thyself worse than all men but it hurts thee much to prefer thyself before any one man. The humble enjoy continual peace; but in the heart of the proud is envy and frequent indignation.

Vol. VII. of the Works, p. 316.

ADVERSITY.

It is good that we have sometimes troubles and crosses; for they often make a man enter into himself, and consider that he ought not to place his trust in any worldly thing. It is good that we be sometimes contradicted, and that men think ill of us; and this, although we do, and intend well: for then we more diligently seek God for our inward witness, when outwardly we are contemned by men.

Vol. VII. of the Works, p. 321.

CHARITY.

The outward work, without charity, profiteth nothing but whatsoever is done out of charity, be it ever so little and contemptible in the sight of the world, is wholly fruitful: for God weigh

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eth more with how much love one worketh, than how much he doth. He doth much that loveth much; he doth much that doth a thing well.

Vol. VII. of the Works, p. 326.

SILENCE AND SOLITUDE.

In silence and in stillness a religious soul profiteth and learneth the hidden truths of holy scripture. There she findeth rivers of tears; and may be so much more familiar with her Creator, by how much the farther off she liveth from all worldly tumult.

Vol. VII. of the Works, p. 333.

DEATH.

This life will soon be at an end; consider, therefore, how thy affairs stand as to the next.— Man is here to-day; to-morrow he is gone. When he is out of sight, he is soon forgotten. Thou should so order thyself in all thy thoughts and all thy actions, as if thou were to die to-day.

Vol. VII. of the Works, p. 337.