*Be thou at no time idle altogether; but either reading, or writing, or praying, or meditating, or endeavouring something for the public good. _Blessed is that servant whom, when his |Lord| cometh, he shall find watching: verily, I say unto you, He shall make him ruler over all his goods_ CHAPTER XV. _Of the love of solitude and silence._ SEEK a convenient time to retire into thyself. Meddle not with curiosities. Read such things as may rather yield compunction of heart, than busy thy head. If thou wilt withdraw thyself from superfluous talk and useless visits, as also from hearkening after news and rumours, thou shalt find sufficient leisure to meditate on good things. *2. One said, “As often as I have been among men, I returned less a man;” and this we often find true, when we have been long in company. It is easier not to speak at all, than not to speak more than we should. It is easier to keep at home, than to be sufficiently upon our guard when we are abroad. He therefore, that intends to attain to inward and spiritual things, must with Jesus retire from the multitude. No man safely goes abroad, but he who is willing to stay at home. No man can speak safely, but he who is willing to hold his peace. No man ruleth safely, but he that is willing to be ruled. *No man safely commands, but he that hath learned readily to obey. No man safely rejoiceth, unless he hath within him the testimony of a good conscience: *And yet the security of the saints was always full of the fear of God. Neither were they less careful and humble in themselves, because they shone outwardly with grace and great virtues. Those have often through confidence in themselves fallen into the greatest dangers, who have been in the greatest esteem among men. *Wherefore it is more profitable to many, not to be altogether free from temptations, lest they should be too secure, lest they should be puffed up with pride, or too freely incline to worldly comforts. *O how good a conscience would he keep, that would never seek after transitory joy, nor entangle himself with the things of this world! O how great peace and quietness would he possess, that would cut off all vain solicitude, and think only upon divine things, and such as are profitable for his soul! If thou desirest compunction of heart enter into thy closet, and shut out the tumults of the world, according to the advice of the Psalmist, (iv. 4.) _Commune with your own heart, and in your own chamber, and be still._ In thy closet thou shalt find what abroad thou often losest. The more thou frequented thy closet, the more thou wilt like it; the less thou comest thereunto, the more thou wilt loath it. If, in the beginning of thy conversion, thou passest much time in it, it will afterward be to thee a dear friend and pleasant comfort. 4. In silence and in stillness a religious soul profiteth, and learneth the hidden truths of holy scriptures.