CHAPTER IV.

_Of prudence in our actions._

WE must not give ear to every saying or suggestion, but warily and leisurely ponder things according to the will of God.

But alas! such is our weakness, that we often more easily believe and speak evil of others than good.

Good men do not easily give credit to every thing one tells them; because they know human frailty is prone to evil, and very subject to fail in words.

2. It is great wisdom not to be rash in thy proceedings, nor to stand stifly in thine own opinion.

It is wisdom not to believe every thing which thou hearest, nor presently to relate again to others what thou hast heard, or dost believe.

Consult with a wise and conscientious man, and seek to be instructed by a better than thyself, rather than to follow thine own inventions.

*A good life maketh a man wise according to God, and giveth him experience in many things.

The humbler one is, and more resigned unto God, the more prudent and contented shall he be in all things.