“You will understand from thence, on what point you are most to insist in preaching, and what chiefly to recommend in confessions.  This knowledge will make, that nothing shall be new to you, nothing shall surprise or amaze you; it will furnish you with the address of conducting souls, and even with authority over them.  The men of the world are accustomed to despise the religious as people who understand it not:  But if they find one who knows how to behave himself in conversation, and has practised men, they will esteem him as an extraordinary person; they will give themselves up to him; they will find no difficulty, even in doing violence to their own inclinations, under his direction, and will freely execute what he enjoins, though never so repugnant to their corrupt nature.  Behold the wonderful fruit of knowing well the world:—­so that you are not, at this present, to take less pains in acquiring this knowledge, than formerly you have done in learning philosophy and divinity.  For what remains, this science is neither to be learned from ancient manuscripts nor printed books; it is in living books, and the conversation of knowing men, that you must study it:  with it, you shall do more good, than if you dealt amongst the people, all the arguments of the doctors, and all the subtilties of the schools.

“You shall set apart one day of the week, to reconcile differences, and regulate the interests of such as are at variance, and are preparing to go to law.  Hear them one after the other, and propose terms of accommodation to them.  Above all things, give them to understand, that they shall find their account in a friendly reconciliation, sooner than in casting themselves into eternal suits, which, without speaking of their conscience, and their credit, ever cost much money, and more trouble.  I know well, that this will not be pleasing to the advocates and proctors, whom the spinning out a process, and tricks of wrangling, still enrich.  But trouble not yourself with what those bawlers say; and make even them comprehend, if it be possible, that by perpetuating suits, by these numberless formalities, they expose themselves to the danger of eternal damnation.  Endeavour also to engage them into a retirement of some few days, to the end their spiritual exercises may work them off to other courses.

“Stay not till your arrival at Ormuz before you preach.  Begin on shipboard, and as soon as you come there.  In your sermons, affect not to make a show of much learning, or of a happy memory, by citing many passages of ancient authors; some few are necessary, but let them be chosen and fitted to the purpose.  Employ the best part of your sermon, in a lively description of the interior estate of worldly souls.  Set before their eyes, in your discourse, and let them see, as in a glass, their own disquiets, their little cunnings, their trifling projects, and their vain hopes.  You shall also show them, the unhappy issue of all their designs.  You shall