"There is a companion that rejoiceth in the prosperity of a friend, but in the time of trouble will be against him."

"Every counsellor extolleth counsel, but there is some who councelleth for himself."

"Beware of a counsellor, and know before what need he hath, (for he will counsel for himself) lest he cast the lot upon thee."

"And say unto thee thy way is good; and afterwards he stand on the other side, to see what shall befall thee."

"Consult not with one who suspecteth thee, and hide thy affairs from such as envy thee."

"Neither consult with a woman, touching her of whom she is jealous; neither with a coward, in matters of war; nor with a merchant, concerning exchange; nor with a buyer, of selling; nor with an envious man, of thankfulness; nor with an unmerciful man, touching kindness; nor with the slothful, for any work; nor with the hireling of a year, for finishing work; nor with an idle servant, of much business. Hearken not unto any of these, any matter of counsel."

in

Of the Faculties which God hath created man with, and the different degrees of talent bestowed upon them.

"The Lord created man of the earth, and turned him into it again."

"He gave them a few days, and a short time, and power also over the things therein,"

"And put the fear of man upon all flesh, and gave him dominion over beasts and fowls."

"And they received the use of the five operations of the Lord,* and in the sixth place, he imparted understanding, and in the seventh, speech and interpreter to the cogitations thereof."

"Counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, and ears, and a heart gave he them to understand."

"Withal he filled them with knowledge of understanding, and shewed them good an evil.”

"The wisdom of a learned man, cometh by opportunity of leisure, and he that hath little business shall become wise."

"How can he get wisdom who holdeth the plough, and that glorieth in the goad, that driveth oxen, and is occupied in their labours, and whose discourse is of bullocks ?”

"He giveth his mind to make furrows, and is diligent to give the kine fodder."

"So every carpenter and workmaster, that laboureth night and day, and they that cut and grave seals, and are diligent to make great variety,

The senses.

and give themselves to counterfeit imagery, and watch to finsh a work."

"The smith also sitting by the anvil, and considering the iron-work, the vapour of the fire, wasteth his flesh, and he sigheth with the heat of the furnace; the noise of the hammer and the anvil are ever in his ears, and his eyes look still upon the pattern of the thing that he maketh, and he setteth his mind to finish his work, and watcheth to polish it perfectly."

"So doth the potter sitting at his work, and turning the wheel about with his feet, who is always carefully set at his work: and maketh all his work by number."

“ Jle fashioneth the clay with his arm, and boweth down his strength before his feet; he applieth himself to lead it over; and is diligent to make clean the furnace."

"All these trust to his own hand, and every one is wise in his own work."

"Without these cannot a city be inhabited, and they shall not dwell where they will, nor go up and down."

"But these shall not be sought for in public counsel, nor sit high in the congregation; they shall not sit on the Judge's seat, nor understand the sentence of Judgment: they cannot declare

justice and judgment: and they shall not be found where parables are spoken."

"But they will maintain the state of the world, and all their desire is in the work of their craft."

"But he who giveth his mind to the law of the Most High, and is occupied in the meditation thereof, will seek out the wisdom of all the ancients, and be occupied in the prophesies."

"Work your work betimes, and in his time God will give you your reward.",

THE HISTORY OF SUSANNAH.

(Set apart from the beginning of Daniel, because it is not in the Hebrew; as neither the Narration of Bel and the Dragon.)

There dwelt in Babylon, a very rich and good man, whose name was Joacim, and his wife, who was a most amiable and beautiful woman, was called Susannah. These worthy people lived in the utmost harmony and affection together, and their house was resorted to by all the chief people whose residence was near them; for added to the

hospitality of Joacim, there was a further inducement, from a magnificent garden which he was master of, which was laid out with so much beauty, and cultivated with so much expence, that it was a great pleasure to behold it; and Joacim permitted all his friends to amuse themselves in this fair pleasure ground, by walking in it, whenever the beauty of the day, or their own inclinations prompted them, and each one was happy to avail himself of this great indulgence; and likewise to visit his house, because he was more honourable and rich than any other, and all persons were proud to be seen in his society.

About this time two of the ancients of the people were appointed judges; they were men far advanced in years, yet skilful in suits of law, and highly thought of, for learning and discretion; and these making a great intimacy with Joacim, were frequently at his house, and when they had any law suits to settle, they used to have the people come to them there, with whom they had business. By these means, the elders became as a part of Joacim's family, and acquainted with all the customs and manners of its inmates. Amongst those which they particularly remarked, was, that the virtuous and beautiful Susannah, walked every day at noon, in the garden of her husband, where being (as she supposed), free from observation, she