CHAP. XXI.] 



THE FIFTH DAY. 



309 



together. And these thoughts shall be told you, that you 

 also may join with me in thankfulness, to " the Giver of 

 every good and perfect gift," for our happiness. And, that 

 our present happiness may appear to be the greater, and we 

 the more thankful for it, I will beg you to consider with me, 

 how many do, even at this very time, lie under the torment 

 of the stone, the gout, and tooth-ache ; and this we are free 

 from. And every misery that I miss is a new mercy : and 

 therefore let us be thankful. There have been, since we 

 met, others that have met disasters of broken limbs ; some 

 have been blasted, others thunder-strucken ; and we have 

 been freed from these, and all those many other miseries 

 that threaten human nature : let us therefore rejoice and be 

 thankful. Nay, which is a far greater mercy, we are free 

 from the unsupportable burthen of an accusing tormenting 

 conscience ; a misery that none can bear : and therefore let 

 us praise Him for his preventing grace, and say, Every 

 misery that I miss is a new mercy. Nay, let me tell you, 

 there be many that have forty times our estates, that would 

 give the greatest part of it to be healthful and cheerful like 

 us ; who, with the expense of a little money, have eat and 

 drank, and laughed, and angled, and sung, and slept securely; 

 and rose next day, and 

 cast away care, and sung, 

 and laughed, and angled 

 again ; which are blessings 

 rich men cannot purchase 

 with all their money. Let 

 me tell you, scholar, I 

 have a rich neighbour, 

 that is always so busy that 

 he has no leisure to laugh : 

 the whole business of his 

 life is to get money, and 

 more money, that he may 

 still get more and more 

 money; he is still drudging 

 on, and says, that Solomon 

 says, " The diligent hand 

 maketh rich ;" and it is 

 true indeed : but he considers not that 'tis not in the power 



