Search -
The English Works of George Herbert (1905)
The English Works of George Herbert - 1905 Author:George Herbert Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: The Parson's Life THE Countrey Parson is exceeding exact in his Life, being holy, just, prudent, temperate, bold, grave in all his wayes. And because the two... more » highest points of Life, wherein a Christian is most seen, are Patience and Mortification: Patience in regard of afflictions, Mortification in regard of lusts and affections, and the stupifying and dead- ing of all the clamarous powers of the soul, therefore he hath throughly studied these, that he may be an absolute Master and commander of himself for all the purposes which God hath ordained him. Yet in these points he labours most in those things which are most apt to scandalize his Parish. And first, because Countrey people live hardly, and therefore as feeling their own sweat, and consequently knowing the price of mony, are offended much with any who by hard usage increase their travell,1 the Countrey Parson is very circumspect in avoiding all coveteousnesse, neither being greedy to get, nor nigardly to keep, nor troubled to lose any worldly wealth; but in all his words and actions slighting and disesteeming it, even to a wondring that the world should so much value wealth, which in the day of wrath hath not onedramme of comfort for us. Secondly, because Luxury is a very visible sinne, the Parson is very carefull to avoid all the kinds thereof, but especially that of drinking, because it is the most popular vice; into which if he come, he prostitutes himself both to shame and sin, and by having fellowship with the unfruitfvtt works of darknesse he disa- bleth himself of authority to reprove them. For sins make all equall whom they finde together; and then they are worst who ought to be best. Neither is it for the servant of Christ to haunt Innes, or Tavernes, or Ale-houses, to the dishonour of his person and office. Th...« less