Page:Rules of Life, Johan Amos Comenius.djvu/16

12 may be tranquil, beware of being a man of many occupations—a busybody. Such things as appertain to yourself transact in silence; leave alone the things of others, and even in your own affairs be not scrupulously over curious and anxious about trifles. Transact those things which primarily concern your own safety and that of your household; commit the rest to God who exercises a care over us.

Now, the conscience is disturbed by the admission of sins. When the soul is conscious to itself of guilt, it blushes in the eyes of God and man, and trembles at the merited punishments; therefore, if you desire a tranquil conscience, strive that it may have nothing which it may object to you; i. e., never, knowingly and willingly, admit any sins; and if you wish to avoid sins, avoid the occasions of them—such as depraved companions, suspected places, &c. He is an imprudent man, who, when he sees another has fallen anywhere, still goes directly there. Now we see daily that men on certain occasions fall and perish, and yet shall we not be careful?

2. If at any time you encounter occasions of any sin, fortify the mind that you may not succumb, but come off victorious. Hence, there is need of conflict and of the armour of virtue in this conflict for the preservation of an unstained conscience. Either, therefore, rescue yourself by flight—and deem as nothing what depraved companions may judge respecting you—or remain immovable; reflecting on the apostolical saying, "I am crucified to the world, and the world to me." And inasmuch as it has not been said in vain," occasions make no man bad, but evince what manner of man he is"—sand applied to fire does not blaze—tow burrs—when brought into temptation, reflect: If I consent to evil, I evince that I am evil, and that I have been a hypocrite; therefore I will persevere in my purpose of retaining my virtue. I shall not allow myself to be driven from it. Remember moreover that in sensual temptations,