Puritan Wisdom

"Let us examine our actions whether they do quadrare [square with], agree to the will of God. Are our speeches according to his will? Are our words savoury, being seasoned with grace? Is our apparel according to God’s will? 'In like manner that women adorn themselves in modest apparel;' not wanton and garish, to invite comers. I Tim ii 9. Is our diet according to God's will? Do we hold the golden bridle of temperance, and only take so much as will satisfy nature than to surfeit it? Too much oil chokes the lamp. Is our whole carriage and behaviour according to God's will? Are we patterns of prudence and piety? We pray, 'Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.' Are we like our pattern? Would the angels do this if they were on earth? Would Jesus Christ do this? It is to Christianise, that is to be saints of degrees; when we live our prayer, and our actions are the counterpart of God’s will." -- Thomas Watson, 164.