OF CONTENTMENT.

THOSE HOSE who preach contentment to all, do but teach some how to dwell in misery; unless you will grant content desire, and chide her but for murmuring. Let not man so sleep in content, as to neglect the means of making himself more happy and blessed: nor yet when the contrary of what he looked for comes, let him murmur at that providence, which disposed it to cross his expectation. I like the man who is never content with what he does enjoy; but by a calm and fair course, has a mind still rising to a higher happiness: But I like not him who is so dissatisfied, as to repine at any thing that does befal him. Let him take the present patiently, joyfully, thankfully; but let him still be soberly, in quest of better;-and indeed it is impossible to find a life so happy here, as that we shall not find something we would add to it, something we would take away from it.-The world itself is not a garden, wherein all the flowers of joy are growing nor can one man enjoy the whole of those that are there. There is no absolute contentment here below; nor can we in reason, think there should be: since whatsoever is created, was created tending to some end, and till it arrives at that end, it cannot be fully at rest. Now we all know, God to be the end, to which the soul tends: and till it be dismanacled of the clogging flesh, it cannot approach the presence of such purity, such glory. When it meets with God, and is united to him, who is the spring and source of all true happiness; then it may

be calm, and pleased, and quiet: but till then, as physicians hold of health, the best is but neutrality. So it is of happiness and content in the soul: nay, the most absolute content man can enjoy, in his corruptible rags of earth, is indeed, but lesser discontentment: that which we find here most perfect, being rather Utopian and imaginary, than real and substantial; and is sooner found falling from a poet's pen, than any way truly enjoyed by him, who swims in the deepest stream of pleasure; Martial is one of these poets.

Vitam quæ faciunt beatiorem,

Jucundissime Martialis, hæc sunt :
Res non parta labore, sed relicta;
Non ingratus ager, focus perennis,
Lis nunquam, toga rara, mens quieta,
Vires ingenua, salubre corpus,
Prudens simplicitas, pares amici,
Convictus facilis, sine arte mensa ;
Nox non ebria, sed soluta curis :
Non tristis torus, attamen pudicus:
Somnus, qui faciat breves tenebras.
Quod sis, esse velis, nihilque malis :
Summum nec metuas diem, nec optes.

Ep. 47. lib. 10.

Things that can bless a life, and please,
Sweetest Martial, they are these;
A store well left, not gain'd with toil;
A house thine own, and pleasant soil,
No strife, small state, a mind at peace,
Free strength, and limbs free from disease,
Wise innocence, friends like and good,
Unarted meat, kind neighbourhood,
No drunken rest, from cares yet free;
No sadd'ning spouse, yet chaste to thee;

Sleeps, that long nights abbreviate,
Because 'tis liking, thy wish'd state:
Nor fear'd nor joy'd, at death or fate.

But where shall you find a man thus seasoned? if it be for a while, it lasts not: for by one, or other accident, he is tossed in the waving world. And this made Diogenes resolve; unto fortune, to oppose his confidence and resolution; to the law, nature; and to his affections, reason. This was good, but not well: we have grace, and Scripture, which is a better guide than nature. I would be so content with what I have, as I would ever think the present best: but then I would only think it best, for the present: because, whensoever I look forward, I see what is better; to arrive at which, my soul will long. The soul that with but half an eye sees God, will ever be on the wing, till she alights on him.

HOW HE MUST LIVE, THAT LIVES WELL.

He who neglects his duty to himself, his neighbour, or his God, fails in something, that should make life commendable. For ourselves, we need order; for our neighbour, charity; and for our God, our reverence and humility: and these are so linked one to another, that he who lives orderly, cannot but be acceptable, both to God, and his fellow-creatures. Nothing jars the world's harmony, like men who break their ranks. One turbulent spirit will disturb even the calmest kingdom. We may see the beauty of order, in nothing

more, than in some princely procession. And though indeed, the circumstances and ceremonies belonging to state, are not intrinsically necessary to government; yet by a secret working in the minds of men, they add a reverence to it, and awe the otherwise loose rabble. Did every man keep his own life as he ought, what a state of concord would a world, a kingdom, a city, a family, be? But being so infinitely disjointed, it is necessary that some should afford their help, and be charitable. If none were to repair the breaches, how soon would all lie levelled in demolishments? Love is so excellent, that though it be but to one's self alone, yet others partake and find the benefit. Without charity, a man cannot be sociable; and take away that, and there is little else, that a man has to do in the world. How pleasant can good company make his life beneath! Certainly, if there be any thing sweet in mere humanity, it is in the intercourses of beloved society; when every one shall be each other's counsellor, each other's friend, and mine, and solace: and such a life as this, I take to be the most pleasing to God, as well as to man. But yet this cannot be truly pleasing, unless a man be careful to give to God, the honour that he owes him. When a man shall do these things, and perform his duty to his Maker; he shall find a peace within, which shall fit him for whatsoever falls. He shall not fear himself: for he knows his course is order. He shall not fear the world, for he knows he has done nothing to injure it. He shall not be afraid of heaven, for he knows be there shall find the favour of a servant, of a son;

and be protected against the malice and the spleen of Satan. Let me live thus, and I care not, though the world should mock at my innocence. Let me but obey St. Bernard; then, I know I cannot but be happy both here and hereafter:-Tu qui in congregatione es, benè vive, ordinabilitèr, sociabilitèr, et humilitèr : ordinabilitèr tibi, sociabilitèr proximo, humilitèr Deo. Lead a good life; that is, live regularly, sociably, and humbly: regularly, as to yourself; sociably, as to your neighbour; humbly, as to your God.

Omnia Deo.

END OF THE FIRST PART.