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64
FRIDAY.
I living, from frequent entertainment of my richer neighbours, from concessions to the luxurious spirit of these times, from frivolous pleasures, and much mixing in secular society.
Thy Priests should oppose softness by strictness, self-indulgence by self-denial, sumptuousness by simplicity in their living. Surely we are bound to give an example of strictness: strict preaching with easy living. Gospel doctrine with worldly conversation, much speaking of the mortified spirit with much intercourse with the worldly-minded, and fellowship with them in their pleasures and mode of life, will cause the world to misbelieve our words, and to accept our practices.
As one of Thy Priests, called and set apart for the awful work of winning souls, make me indeed to be and also to appear to be a man of God, no lover of the pleasures of the world, nor luxurious, but of a homely, grave, sober life. (To be used where the clergyman is the master of a house or family) And not only ought I to live plainly in my own person and to be a keeper at home, but my whole house should be governed by the same rule. Por what avails it, O Lord, if I die to the world and my household live to it; if I keep at home and they go abroad; if I am sober and they