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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.

I feel within me

A peace above all earthly dignities,

A still and quiet conscience.

KING HENRY VIII. Act III. Scene 2.

Truth hath a quiet breast.

KING RICHARD II. Act I. Scene 3.

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
GREATNESS.

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.-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,
Than to be perk'd up in a glistering grief,
And wear a golden sorrow.

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 ;
But riches fineless, is as poor as winter,
To him that ever fears he shall be poor.

OTHELLO. Act III. Scene 3.

My crown is in my heart, not on my head:
Not deck'd with diamonds and Indian stones,
Nor to be seen; my crown is call'd content:
A crown it is, that seldom kings enjoy.
KING HENRY VI. (3d part).

Act III. Scene 1.

O, the fierce wretchedness that glory brings us !*
Who would not wish from wealth to be exempt,
Since riches point to misery and contempt?
Who'd be so mock'd with glory? or to live
But in a dream of friendship?

To have his pomp and all what state compounds,
But only painted like his varnished friends.

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 II. Scene 2.

Most miserable

Is the desire that 's glorious: blessed be those,
How mean soe'er, that have their honest wills,
Which seasons comfort.

CYMBELINE. Act 1. Scene 7.

Gives not the hawthorn bush a sweeter shade
To shepherds looking on their silly sheep,
Then doth a rich embroidered canopy
To kings that fear their subjects' treachery?
O, yes, it doth: a thousandfold it doth.

The shepherd's homely curds,

His cold thin drink out of his leather bottle,
His wonted sleep under a fresh tree's shade,
All which secure and sweetly he enjoys,
Is far beyond a prince's delicates;
His viands sparkling in a golden cup,
His body couched in a curious bed,

When care, mistrust, and treason, wait on him.
KING HENRY VI. (3d part).

Act II. Scene 5.

O polished perturbation! golden care!
That keep'st the ports of slumber open wide
To many a watchful night!-sleep with it now!
Yet not so sound, and half so deeply sweet,
As he, whose brow, with homely biggin bound,
Snores out the watch of night. O majesty!
When thou dost pinch thy bearer, thou dost sit

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