XIII. THE DELIGHT OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE. The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.1-Is. xxxii. 17. A good man shall be satisfied from himself. PROV. xiv. 14. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.-ROM. xiv. 22. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.3-1 JOHN iii. 21. For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience.-2 Cor. i. 12. Blessed is the man that hath not slipped with his mouth, and is not pricked with the multitude of his sins. Blessed is he whose conscience hath not condemned him, and who is not fallen from his hope in the Lord.-ECCLUS. xiv. 1, 2. 1 Ps. cxix. 165; Is. xlviii. 18. Acts xxiv. 16. 3 Job xxvii. 6. A good conscience will make any possible satisfaction. -KING HENRY IV. (2d part). Act v. Scene 5. XIV. THE COMFORTS OF A CONTENTED LIFE CONTRASTED WITH THE TROUBLES OF Better is an handful with quietness, than both hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. ECCLES. iv. 6. There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.1-Prov. xiii. 7. As having nothing, yet possessing all things.2 2 COR. vi. 10. 1 Rev. iii. 17, 18. 2 Philip. iii. 7-9. Now, therefore, thus saith the Lord of Hosts, Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages, earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.'-HAGGAI i. 5, 6. Take heed, and beware of covetousness; for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.2-LUKE xii. 15. Godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 TIM. vi. 6. Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and trouble therewith.-PROV. XV. 16. 'Tis better to be lowly born, And range with humble livers in content, KING HENRY VIII. Act II. Scene 3. Nought's had, all's spent, Where our desire is got without content. MACBETH. Act III. Scene 2. 1 Micah vi. 14, 15. 2 1 Tim. vi. 17; Matt. xiii. 22. Poor, and content, is rich, and rich enough; My crown is in my heart, not on my head: KING HENRY VI. (3d part). Act III. Scene 1. O, the fierce wretchedness that glory brings us! To have his pomp and all what state compounds, * TIMON OF ATHENS. Act IV. Scene 2. Our content Is our best having. KING HENRY VIII. Act II. Scene 3. *Too much honour: O, 'tis a burden, 'tis a burden, Too heavy for a man that hopes for heaven. KING HENRY VIII. Act III. Scene 2. Most miserable Is the desire that 's glorious: blessed be those, CYMBELINE. Act 1. Scene 7. Gives not the hawthorn bush a sweeter shade The shepherd's homely curds, His cold thin drink out of his leather bottle, When care, mistrust, and treason, wait on him. Act II. Scene 5. O polished perturbation! golden care! |