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24. And many of us friends, consulting on and abhorring the
turbulent vexations of human life, had considered and now almost
determined upon living at ease and separate from the turmoil of men.
And this was to be obtained in this way; we were to bring whatever we
could severally procure, and make a common household, so that,
through the sincerity of our friendship, nothing should belong more to
one than the other; but the whole, being derived from all, should as
a whole belong to each, and the whole unto all. It seemed to us that
this society might consist of ten persons, some of whom were very
rich, especially Romanianus, our townsman, an intimate friend of
mine from his childhood, whom grave business matters had then brought
up to Court; who was the most earnest of as all for this project, and
whose voice was of great weight in commending it, because his estate
was far more ample than that of the rest. We had arranged, too, that
two officers should be chosen yearly, for the providing of all
necessary things, whilst the rest were left undisturbed. But when we
began to reflect whether the wives which some of us had already, and
others hoped to have, would permit this, all that plan, which was
being so well framed, broke to pieces in our hands, and was utterly
wrecked and cast aside. Thence we fell again to sighs and groans, and
our steps to follow the broad and beaten ways of the world; for many
thoughts were in our heart, but Thy counsel standeth for ever. Out
of which counsel Thou didst mock ours, and preparedst Thine own,
purposing to give us meat in due season, and to open Thy hand, and to
fill our souls with blessing.
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