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seven watchmen, that sit above in an high tower. And above all this pray to the Most High, that he will direct thy way in truth. Let reason go before every enterprise, and counsel before every action.

Isaiah.

Thus saith the High and Lofty One, that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways: for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him. Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord, and I will heal him. Hearken diligently unto me: incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live: wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do eyil; learn to do well; seek judgement, relieve the oppressed,

judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye brake every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day. If thou

Hast thou children? instruct them, and bow down their neck from their youth. An horse not broken becometh headstrong: and a child left to himself will be wilful. Give him no liberty in his youth, and wink not at his follies. Marry thy daughter, and so shalt thou have performed a weighty matter: but give her to a man of understanding. Honour thy father with thy whole heart, and forget not the sorrows of thy mother. Remember that thou wast begotten of them; and how canst thou recompense them the things that they have done for thee? If their understanding fail, have patience with them ; and despise them not when thou art in thy full strength. In the day of thine affliction it shall be remembered; thy sins also shall melt away, as the ice in the fair warm weather. Lend to thy neighbour in time of his need, and pay thou thy neighbour again in due season. Keep thy word, and deal faithfully with him, and thou shalt always find the thing that is necessary for thee. Let not thine hand be stretched out to receive, and shut when thou shouldest repay. Many, when a thing was lent them, reckoned it to be found, and put them to trouble that helped them. Till he hath received, he will kiss a man's hand; and for his neighbour's money he wil! speak submissively: but when he should repay,

he will prolong the time, and return words of grief, and complain of the time. Many therefore have refused to lend for other men's ill deal

ing, fearing to be defrauded: yet have thou patience with a man in poor estate, and delay not to shew him mercy. Deliver all things in number and weight; and put all in writing that thou givest out, or receivest in. Lose thy money for thy brother and thy friend, and let it not rust under a stone to be lost. Be not hasty in thy tongue, and in thy deeds slack and remiss. Be not as a lion in thy house, nor frantic among thy servants. If thou set thy servant to labour, thou shalt find rest: but if thou let him go idle, he shall seek liberty. Send him to labour, that he be not idle; for idleness teacheth much evil. Set him to work, as is fit for him: but be not excessive toward any; and without discretion do nothing. If thou have a servant, entreat him as a brother: for thou hast need of him, as of thine own soul: if thou entreat him evil, and he run from thee, which way wilt thou go to seek him? Whereas thy servant worketh truly, entreat him not evil, nor the hireling that bestoweth himself wholly for thee. Let thy soul love a good servant, and defraud him not of liberty. Be not ashamed to inform the unwise and foolish, and the extreme aged that contendeth with those that

are young: thus shalt thou be truly learned, and approved of all men living. Learn before thou speak, and use physic or ever thou be sick. When thou hast enough, remember the time of hunger: and when thou art rich, think upon poverty and need. Go not in a way wherein thou mayest fall, and stumble not among the stones. Be not confident in a plain way. Do nothing without advice: and when thou hast once done, repent not. Whatsoever thou takest

in hand, remember the end, and thou shalt never do amiss. Laugh no man to scorn in the bitterness of his soul: for there is one which humbleth and exalteth.

From the same.

Speak, young man, if there be need of thee: and yet scarcely when thou art twice asked. Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in few words; be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue. If thou be among great men, make not thyself equal with them; and when ancient men are in place, use not many words. Before the thunder goeth lightning: and before a shamefaced man shall go favour. Observe the opportunity, and beware of evil; and

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