others, neither do thou entangle thyself with the affairs of thy betters.
Still have an eye to thyself first, and be sure more especially to admonish thyself before all thy friends.
If thou hast not the favour of men, be not grieved at it; but take this to heart, that thou dost not behave thyself so warily and circumspectly as it becometh the servant of God.
It is better oftentimes and safer that a man should not have many consolations in this life, especially such as are according to the flesh.
But that we have not divine consolations at all, or do very seldom taste them, the fault is ours, because we seek not after compunction of heart, nor do altogether forsake the vain and outward comforts of this world.
4. Know that thou art unworthy of divine consolation, and that thou hast rather deserved much tribulation.
When a man hath perfect compunction, then is the whole world grievous and bitter unto him.
A good man findeth always sufficient cause for mourning and weeping.
For whether he consider his own or his neighbour's estate, he knoweth that none liveth here without tribulation.
And the more narrowly a man looketh into himself, so much the more he sorroweth.
Our sins and wickedness wherein we lie so enwrapt; that we can seldom apply ourselves to heavenly contemplations, do minister unto us matter of just sorrow and inward compunction.
