CHAPTER VI.

_Of the joy of a good conscience._

THE glory of a good man is the testimony of a good conscience.

Have a good conscience, and thou shalt ever have joy.

Thou shalt rest sweetly if thy heart condemn thee not.

Never rejoice but when thou hast done well.

Sinners have never true joy, nor feel inward peace; because _There is no peace to the wicked_, saith the Lord.

2. To glory in tribulation is no hard thing for him that loveth; for to glory so, is to glory in the cross of our Lord.

That glory is short which is given and received from men.

Sorrow always accompanieth the glory of the world.

The glory of the good is in their consciences, and not in the tongues of men. The gladness of the just is of God, and in God; and their joy is of the truth,

*He enjoyeth great peace of mind, that careth neither for the praise nor dispraise of men.

3. He will easily be content, whose conscience is pure.

Thou art not the more holy, though thou art praised; nor the less, though thou art dispraised.

*What thou art, thou art; neither canst thou be said to be greater than thou art in the sight of God.

If thou considerest what thou art within, thou wilt not care what men say of thee.

Man seeth the face, but God looketh into the heart.

Man considereth the deeds, but God weigheth the intention.

To do always well, and to dis-esteem himself, is a sign of an humble soul.

4. He that seeketh no witness for himself from without, doth shew that he hath wholly committed himself unto God.

_For not he who commendeth himself is approved_, saith St. _Paul_; _but whom God commendeth_.

*To walk inwardly with God, and not to love any thing without, is the state of a spiritual man.