known fundry fuch become able Minifters, & of very great Service in the Church; and I have known others, as well as myself, that have begun very poor, and feemed contemptible and mean in the Eyes of their Friends, nay, have been advised to defift, as not being called to that Work, nor qualified for fuch Service, which is very wounding and discouraging; in which Time fome kind fympathizing Aquilla or Prifcilla have been concerned to heal the Wound, by instructing more perfectly in the Way of the Ministry, by giving proper Advice and Encouragement to go on in the Work, under the Government of the diviue Spirit, with a meek and humble Conduct; advifing on the one Hand not to take too much Notice of what others may fay in Difpraise of thy Service, but endeavouring to remove their Objections bya prudent Behaviour; nor on the other, too much regarding what may be faid in Commendation thereof; for without exercifing Judgment, the former may caft down too much, and the latter may exalt the Mind above its Place.

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How safe therefore is it to keep in our Gifts, under the Power and Influence of divine Love, which will take all Things in good Part, whether it be Praise or Difpraise; and not be moved by either out of our Place. Thus will Malice be overcome by Love, and we fhall receive Advantage, even from them that intend us none; being likewife guarded against that Poifon which Flat

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tery and Commendation carries with it to weak Minds, for fome can't bear to be commended, even when they deserve it, without receiving Hurt by it, taking that Honour to themselves which is only due to their Gifts: And being difgufted if they have not Commendation and Praife, fuppofing themselves injured without it, and rather than not have it, they will seem by a kind of Enquiry, to beg it, and endeavour by either finding Fault with or commending their Service, to draw Praise from others. Whoever fall into this Practice, fhew great Weakness; and it is a plain Indication, fuch are not in the Simplicity of the Gofpel; for whoever abide in that, feek not themselves nor their own. Honour, but the chief Thing they have in View is the Honour of God, and the good of all Men, that their Miniftry may bring Honour to him that has called us to Glory and Virtue.

There are yet some Things further to be remarked, relating to our Conduct in our own Families, Meetings, and Neighbourhood, both in a religious and civil Capacity, which shall be the Subject of the next Chapter.

CHA P. VIII.

Mifcellaneous Advices as to Marriage, Trade, and an unblameable Conduct.

WE will confider our Minifter now as

one inclining to Marriage, and to fettle and have a Family, with Bufinefs and Trade in the World; in which State of Life there are many Dangers and Snares, which we ought to guard againft, and carefully mind our Conduct therein; and that I may be the more intelligible, I fhall treat on the whole under these four Heads following.

ift. Refpecting thy Courtship and Mar riage, if yet unmarried,

2d. Thy Conduct in thy own Family.

3d. Thy Conduct amongst thy Neighbours in Trade, Commerce, &c.

4th. Thy Conduct in thy own Meeting, both as a Minifter and Elder.

First then, In thy Courtship or being Courted, well confider the Object of thy Affections, let not thy Mind out after what he or she hath, but rather regard what they

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are, and how qualified both in Nature and Religion: A good natural Temper in both Sexes being much preferable to Wealth, and more especially, when 'tis cultivated and made better by Religion.

Now this being a Matter of great Confequence, requires a ferious Thought, and close Examination in our own Minds, that we may not be deceived by any falfe Glofs, Report, or Appearance; but thou fhould'ft narrowly examine the moving Caufe of thy Inclinations, that fo thou mayft with Safety and Caution begin thy Suit, or accept fuch an Offer, if a Virgin. Thus, when thy Mind is fix'd, and thou art refolved to proceed, begin where thou oughtest, and be a good Example, by firft advifing with fuch as may be thy true and hearty Friends, before thou makeft any Offer, or receivest one, fo as to join in with any Propofal on that Account, and if they agree with thee, this will add to thy Satisfaction; but if by Reasons and good Arguments they endeavour to dif fuade thee, be not above Advice in this (or any other Affair) but give Ear to good Counfel; but if no Objection arifes, then apply thy Self for Confent to Parents or Guardians, before any Propofal is made to the Object of thy Choice; and having thus paved thy Way, thy Work will be much eafier afterward; then proceed deliberately, that thou mayft give no juft Cause of Offence in thy Conduct, but that thy Marriage

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riage may be compleated with a good Reputation both to thy own and Friends Satiffaction, and this will add to thy Credit as a Minifter: But when this is over and thou art married, thou must expect new Exercifes, under which thy Faith and Patience may be closely proved.

Secondly, Therefore look well to thy Conduct in thy own Family, that thou mayst keep all Things fweet and honourable therein: Many are the Temptations we are in danger to receive Hurt by, fuch as aspiring too high in our living, aiming to have all other Matters fuiting thereto, viz. our Furniture for our Houfes, Cloaths, &c. which if above our Ability to fupport, will bring upon us a Train of Inconveniencies, not eafily to be furmounted. And fuch who are of low Circumstances, who have travelled in the Ministry, or may travel, feeing to many various Ways of living, may receive Hurt, if they do not carefully confider their own Circumstances and Ability; such should not mind high Things, but being fubject to their own low Eftate, fhould content themselves to live and appear according as they can afford, not endeavouring to live above their Ability, because they will come as near in Imitation as they can to fuch who are above them; but rather let our Income be the Rule and Government of our Expences in living; for if our Expence go beyond our Income, we fhall foon be hurt; but if within, we

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