A man cannot any whither retire better than to his own
soul ; he especially who is beforehand provided of such

32



His Meditations

things within, which whensoever he doth withdraw himself
to look in, may presently afford unto him perfect ease and
tranquillity. By tranquillity I understand a decent orderly
disposition and carriage, free from all confusion and tumul-
tuousness. Afford then thyself this retiring continually, and
thereby refresh and renew thyself. Let these precepts be
brief and fundamental, which as soon as thou dost call them
to mind, may suffice thee to purge thy soul throughly, and
to send thee away well pleased with those things whatsoever
they be, which now again after this short withdrawing of
thy soul into herself thou dost return unto. For what is it
that thou art offended at ? Can it be at the wickedness of
men, when thou dost call to mind this conclusion, that all
reasonable creatures are made one for another ? and that it
is part of justice to bear with them ? and that it is against
their wills that they offend ? and how many already, who
once likewise prosecuted their enmities, suspected, hated,
and fiercely contended, are now long ago stretched out, and
reduced unto ashes ? It is time for thee to make an end.
