Time Well Spent in Sacred Meditations, Part 145 – Part 170
Sorrow for ſinne.
1. It is obſerved that even of thoſe that are Many are more grieved at ſin becauſe of the danger of it, than othervviſe.grieved for ſinne the cauſe is in moſt, for the danger it brings them unto, and not for diſhonouring of God whereby it comes to paſſe that when they gather hope of deliverance from the danger, then the griefe and feare for ſinne decayeth, which if it were otherwiſe would daily encreaſe: for the more wee are aſſured of Gods love the more we love him, and the more we love him the more we deſire Gods honour, and therefore the more are we grieved with our ſinne which offends him. This may be a moſt ſufficient anſwere to that doubt which troubleth Why many a…e more grieved at ſin at firſt than aftervvards.many, why divers of thoſe that be true Chriſtians were moved to feare ſinne and be grieved at it more in the beginning than after.Hovv dangerous to make light of finne.
2. There is no greater bane of ſound godlineſſe than to favour and make light of our ſinne, not being grieved thereat.
3. It is found by wofull experience that a principall Why moſt Chriſtians are unvvilling to lead the ſtrict life of godlineſſe.cauſe why many, who hope to be ſaved by Chriſt and be indeed true though weake Chriſtians, are ſo ſloathfull and unwilling to take any paines to lead the ſtrait life of godlineſſe, and to come under and preciſely keepe the Chriſtian dyet, namely that holy direction that preſcribeth how we are the whole day long and ſo all our life long to be well occupied: the cauſe I ſay hereof is manifeſt to be this, that they be little grieved with their diſeaſed eſtate, and feele not ſuch ſmart of their ſinnes as ſhould make them never ceaſe till they found ſome eaſe by this ſoveraigne dyet, which is proved ſo ſufficient to releeve and refreſh a true Chriſtian heart. This therefore above others is Griefe for ſinne is to be laboured for.to be travailed in, that we may feele our ſinne ſo bitter and grievous unto us that we may never bee at Meanes to attaine the ſame.reſt till wee come under this dyet and thereby alſo may be held to a conſtant keeping thereof. To this end theſe things are with all conſcience continually to be thought on, 1. that our ſinnes be moſt diſhonourable to God, ſuch as much offend him and grieve his holy Spirit whereby wee are ſealed. Theſe if they be not grievous unto us we may juſtly 1.feare that either we bee baſtards and no true children, or at leaſt that wee are fallen into a deadly ſecurity, which will hardly in long time be recovered, and will coſt us much griefe and ſorrow to bewayle our decay. 2. that 2.they bee very hurtfull to man, our ſelves and others, both good and bad; to our ſelves, as which hinder good things from us, earthly and ſpiritual, bring judgements temporall and eternall; to others, provoking Gods wrath on our Land, Church, Congregation, Familie, Kindred, Poſteritie, offending the godly, as whereby they are made ſorrie; the wicked, making them reproach our profeſſion; the weake alſo being ſtrengthned in ſinne by ill example.
4, It is a ſpeciall ſinne amongſt moſt profeſſors The hurt that proſperity vvorkes in many profeſſors.that by reaſon of outward proſperity and peace they doe not walke humbly with God; ſo little griefe of heart or feare of God is any wayes to bee found: indeed ſorrow is tedious and unwelcome, and therfore except there be great cauſe and that outward, we put ſorrow away and ſoone eaſe our ſelves of the hurthen, whereby it comes to paſſe that men being looſed as it were from the Lords bands live ſecurely, and ſerve God careleſſely and ſpend their dayes in jollitie which is the bane of all godlineſſe and enemie to all heavenly rejoycing, whereas God gives grace to the humble, and hee will dwell with thoſe that be of a contrite ſpirit. In regard hereof I judge it highly neceſſary for the moſt of us by all means to turne our laughter Occaſions of carnall rejoycing muſt be ſhunned that vvee may truly grieve at ſinne.into mourning and our joy into heavineſſe, which that we may doe we are to put away and withdraw our ſelves from all occaſions of carnall rejoycing, as paſtimes, merry-meetings, bravery, belly-cheere, fooliſh jeſting, and other ſuch companies as might make the heart light and merry, & inſteed hereof to occupie our minde much upon our old and late ſinnes, to ſee how farre wee come ſhort in grace of others, and more ſhort of that which God requires, and by the meanes which wee have we might attaine to, and herein particularly to deale ſo much as may be. Herewith to conſider the Neceſſary conſiderations provoking to godly ſorrow.terrour of Gods wrath, heare how many wayes he may make our lives bitter unto us, by bodily and ſpirituall plagues on our ſelves, or ſuch as be neere us, our wives, children, parents, kindred, families, and acquaintance, and in the world to come the torments of hell how extreame and everlaſting and eaſeleſſe, in what danger hereof wee bee who have ſo little or no faith at all, and ſo little pray to eſcape this endleſſe woe; how God is angry with us and regards not our prayers, and this is the more that we offend ſo mercifull a father. Beſides theſe cauſes of griefe for our ſelves, this ſhould grieve us for others, either the faithfull, their infirmities and grievous puniſhments of God upon the… bodily and ſpirituall, deprived of the meanes of ſalvation, and the like; or the wicked that they live ſo prophanly and licenciouſly perſecute the godly and caſt away their owne ſoules whoſe care if we did pitty it would move to many teares and prayers for thē. In all theſe this ought to be chiefe, that the honour Note.of God, which is the moſt precious treaſure that can be, is not onelyonly ſo lightly eſteemed, but defaced and contemned.
5. There is a double A double ſorrovv for ſinne.ſorrow for ſinne, one ſpecially in reſpect of the puniſhment, which goeth before faith, and may bee in thoſe who never come to faith, in whom it either weares away of it ſelfe, or is eaſed with a falſe faith; or if it continue, it drives to deſpaire; and this alſo remaines after faith, by reaſon of the weakneſſe of faith, which is ſometimes more or leſſe. The other ſorrow for ſinne ever followes faith, which thus ariſeth; that when we conſider Chriſts love to us (which breeds love in us to him with a deſire and purpoſe to pleaſe him) then ſeeing how by our corrupt nature we faile, it cannot but grieve us accordingly; and this ſorrow onelyonly is a proofe of faith.
6. Theſe bee two rules Tvvo rules to try godly ſorrovv.to trie godly ſorrow, 1. if wee can with contented 1.mindes take the puniſhment as correction from the Lord, and yet mourne for our ſinne, and that in ſuch manner, in giving place to Gods juſtice in puniſhing, wee can labour for forgivenes of our ſins: 2. if when wee can con 2.ceale our ſinne, yet wee with David freely confeſſe it.
7. When many are more grieved with the Dangerous to grieve more at vvorldly things thē at ſinne.loſſe of worldly credit, the motion whereof is ſinne, than with the ſenſe of their ſinnes and loſſe of Gods glory, the Lord ſtriketh them with the want of that which is moſt precious to them, when they make no conſcience of his honour, which is moſt precious unto him.
8. If we will truely lament the ſinnes of others, Hovv truly to lament the ſins of others.we muſt firſt bee touched for our owne; and as touching others, ſo to lament as the ſinne requireth, and with love, not contempt of the perſon, and pray for him.
9. When we have cauſe of ſorrow it is good not to Hovv long vve are to grieve.caſt it off, till wee ſee the fruit thereof.
10. Heavenly ſorrow it is, to talke of good things Kindes of heavenly ſorrovv.which we want, or ill, which we have.
11. We cannot heartily be grieved for that ſin Whence it is that vvee are not grieved at ſinne in others.in others, whereof wee have made no great conſcience our ſelves.
12. That is a true godly ſorrow for ſinne when no outward pleaſure can True ſorrovv for ſinne hovv tryed.ſteale it away, nor continuance of time waſte it, but onelyonly Chriſt.
13. This ought to bee alwayes in Gods children The vvant of affection to any good to be grieved at.that in the want of affection to any godly exerciſe when they ſhould have it, that at leaſt they ſhould be grieved thereat.
14. Two notes there Tvvo notes of godly ſorrovv.are of godly ſorrow, 1. that it be for a juſt cauſe, and 2. a proportionable 1.meaſure to the cauſe: for 2.it is a ſubtle policie of Satan againſt tender conſciences, to urge them to a continuall ſorrow, whereby he may more prevaile in his accuſation againſt them: for when they ſorrow ſo much for little offences, hee will diſmay them in their greater faults, or accuſe them of hypocriſie in making no more account of great ſins Its Satans policie to make us grieve continually.than of common infirmities: wee are then, to take heed how wee give our ſelves to ſorrow continually, eſpecially ſeeing wee are commanded to rejoyce alwayes, and never to ſorrow alwayes, although there be a neceſſary time of ſorrow: and moreover, this ought to be conſidered, that God will not account of men for one particular Note.defect, but according to his generall courſe and tenour of life.
Soule and Body.
1. It were great wiſedome and grace to bee More care is to bee had of the ſoule then of the body.more carefull to feede and provide for our ſoules (which even a world cannot ranſome) than our bodies, not feeding theſe till thoſe be fed.
2. There is never any corrupt action in the body, The ſoule firſt finneth.whereof there hath not beene firſt a corrupt motion and affection in the ſoule, ſo that the ſoule is the enemy of the body in uſing it to ſinne, and not A prepoſterous courſe in moſt profeſſors.the contrary, as many falſely complaine, and therefore puniſh their bodies and ſpare their ſoules, whereas wee ought rather to nouriſh the body as the friend to the ſoule for the exerciſe of repentance, of mortification and of ſanctification.
Spirituall decay.
Its high wiſdome when wee ſee any plague upon Upon the ſight of any plague earthly or ſpirituall vvhat is to be done.us earthly or ſpirituall, as loſſe of our ſpirituall comfort and cheerefulneſſe in well-doing, or wound of conſcience by ſinne remitted, then to turne to the Lord & crave help of him, both to ſhew us the cauſe and to teach us truely to remove it, that ſo humbling our ſelves, wee may obtaine mercy and be freeed from the plague.
Diſquiet Spirit.
A puniſhed minde is a A diſquiet ſpirit vvhatdiſquiet Spirit.
Godly Strife.
Seeing we are naturally unwilling to any good What vve are to ſtrive chiefely to doe.thing, it is good to ſtrive to that thing which wee are moſt unwilling to doe.
Students.
This courſe have I by A neceſſary courſe to profit in learning and bee more and more fitted for the miniſterie.experience found profitable, and reſolved upon, namely to bee diligent in reading the holy Scriptures, and of them at the leaſt every day foure chapters; in like manner (for the encreaſe of my knowledge) to ſpend three houres in the forenoone in ſearching out the ſenſe of the hardeſt places, as two in the afternoone in the ſearching out the proprieties of the tongues, and other two in peruſing the tracts and commentaries of learned men; one in meditation and prayer; what time remaineth to ſpend the fame in brotherly conference.
Suffering.
They that will ſuffer great things in perſecution Hovv to be fitted for great tryals.and that of Papiſts, muſt ſuffer ſmaller in peace and that of Proteſtants.
Selfe-ſuſpition.
He that can neglect the Who may juſtly ſuſpect that their ſtate is bad.private meanes, and uſe them without any lively touch, and he that can heare the word without any check of his conſcience when the word rebuketh his corruption, or he that hath his heart accuſing him of ſinne, and can bee merry, and follow the world, and paſſe over his ſinne, is greatly to ſuſpect himſelfe, and to deny comfort to his heart till God truly humble him. The beſt may accuſe themſelves, and this is Nate.comfortable, if wee truly judge our ſelves in this caſe.
Table-talke.
SEeing all are anointed Every Chriſtian is at table to move and further good matters.with the ſame oyle and not the Miniſter alone, all men at a table are to move and further good matters with reverence and diſcretion.
Teares.
Howſoever wee pleaſe our ſelves with ſmal grace, Moſt are ſcantie in teares.yet if wee compare our ſelves with that wee ſee ſhould be in us, and is in ſome, wee are exceeding ſhort, as in this one thing, that ſo few teares come from us in any cauſe; we are too ready to excuſe our ſelves hereby, that we are not ſo prone to weepe as others, and yet for earthly things wee can readily. What was it in Paul that drew ſo many teares continually Hovv vve may abound therein.from him, but his tender love to God and his Saints? Let this be in us, ſo ſhall wee weepe.
Temptations.
1. As it is a great comfort that no temptation What may comfort and humble us in temptation.invade us, but that which taketh holde of the nature of man, ſo this ought to make us with profit humble our ſelves, that there is no temptation in any man which may not take hold on us in time.
2. Wee are never the further from temptation for miſliking it, but the Hovv to prevent temptations.neerer, unleſſe as in judgement wee miſlike it, ſo in affection wee humble our ſoules in feare and prayer before the Lord, as knowing the ſame in time may invade us.
3. Satan in good cauſes Golden temptations.doth uſe golden temptations to allure the children of God, as in prayer he affordeth meditation, in meditation prayer, in hearing almeſgiving, in reading admonition, and ſtill envyeth the good thing whereunto wee are called.
4. As there is a viciſſitude A viciſſitude of comforts and temptations.of the meanes and comforts of our ſalvation, ſo is there of temptations, which being repelled will come againe.Temptations ſometimes take avvay feeling.
5. As ſome ſickneſſe takes away all ſenſe of life, ſo ſome temptation may take away the feeling of ſpirituall life.
6. In any grievous temptation wee muſt flee What courſe the Saints are to take in time of temptation.to prayer, and to reading the word, that part thereof which is fitteſt: and this not prevailing, to conferre with ſome faithfull brother, and bee diligent in theſe meanes: when if yet we prevaile not, then muſt we follow our callings diligently, and with patience waite the Lords leiſure, not reaſoning with our temptation, leſt thereby we be made dull or deſperate, neither yet wholly contemning it as a trifle, leſt we fall into ſecurity, and Satan overcome us without wreſtling: for if we feare it too much he overcomes us before wee fight.
7. All temptations come Whence temptations come.either of ignorance or want of feeling.
8. As Iacob left not ſtriving Wee muſt not faint in temptation.though his thigh were looſed till he had the bleſſing, no more muſt we faint in our temptation, though we be humbled, till wee obtaine the victorie.
9. As ſtriving againſt our temptations they ſoon To ſtrive againſt temptations hovv profitable, not to reſiſt them how dangerous.depart, & for little paines we enjoy longer eaſe and quietneſſe, ſo in not reſiſting the temptation, the ſame encreaſeth, and our little pleaſure is paid with long griefe and bitter.
10. This is a ſure experiment whether the ſinne Hovv vve may knovv vvhether or not vvee ſhall yeeld to temptation.which often tempteth us ſhall prevaile or not; if the more we be tempted, the more we be grieved for it, ſtrive againſt it, and labour more for the contrary vertue, it ſhall not long continue: but if the firſt comming of ſin wrought this care and griefe, and the ſecond waxed leſſe, the… it will prevaile, unleſſe the former courſe be ſpeedily repaired.
Thankes.
Such are meere mockers of God, and deepe diſſemblers, Thankſgiving in vvords not accompanied vvith obedience, diſcovers …ypocriſie.which make great profeſſion of thankes in words, but have little or no care by their lives in obedience to teſtifie the ſame.
Thoughts.
1. A man is not to ſpend his thoughts after Thoughts not to bee ſpent on the vvorld.the abundance of theſe earthly things, for the roving of the heart after the world is a wonderfull hinderance to a godly courſe.
2. It is found by many Why its found hard to keepe our thoughts on heavenly matters.true Chriſtians a very hard thing to keepe their minds upon heavenly matters, the reaſon is manifeſt, that being by nature earthly, our mindes ſinke downe thither as the ſtone downward, and will not without force bee carryed upward. Our onelyonly help muſt The Remedie.be, that wee doe acquaint our mindes to aſcend upward, that at length they may bee acquainted with the path, and ſo as readily goe in it, as in the former.
3. A principall cauſe Whence it is that many in their holy exerciſes are troubled vvith by-thoughts.why ſo many be troubled in their holy exerciſes with by-thoughts is this, that they be not exerciſed at other times to governe their mindes in chaſing away vain & evil thoughts, and in holding their minds and hearts to good things, without which travaile I ſee not how the former diſeaſe can bee cured: on the other ſide, he that ſhall beſtow good travaile this way, ſhall finde the yoke of Chriſt eaſie, and no tedious thing to live godly, but ſhall be freed from many falls, reproches, ſorrowes, and diſcouragements, which many daily meetwith, & be filled daily with ſuch comforts, as many profeſſors ſeldome taſt of though they would.
Triall of a mans ſelfe.
1. Then may a Chriſtian At vvhat time a Chriſtian may judge his ſtate good.ſoundly judge his ſtate good, when hee findes all heavenly matters a recreation to him, and his earthly affaires his labour.
2. There is nothing more neceſſary than daily Hovv vve may cleerly ſee our ſtate vvhether good or bad.more and more to make ſure our calling, which moſt profeſſors be either ignorant of, or negligent in, deceiving themſelves. Let every one therforeduly examin himſelf in theſe points, whereby he ſhall cleerely ſee his ſtate, as whether he be careleſſe of his ſtate towards God, ſuch not knowing or not regarding how it is, are moſt miſerable; or carefull, whether fearefull, (either not knowing or not aſſured how to be ſaved, both dangerous and damnable to ſuch as die ſo, Rev. 21. 8.) or comfortable, whether upon faith alone, or workes alone, both deceitfull; or upon faith confirmed by works, which onelyonly i… ſound: for tryall whereof, conſider, what thou beleeveſt, that thou ſhalt bee ſaved by Chriſt, this onelyonly juſtifieth, the beleefe of nothing elſe: why thou beleeveſt, becauſe thou knowing thy ſelfe miſerable, and Chriſt as willing as able to eaſe thee laden comming to him, doth therefore in heart come unto him, with aſſurance to be eaſed, ſeeing he promiſed. Whether thou have thy conſcience bearing thee record, and becauſe the heart is deceitfull, if thou ſeeſt the effects hereof in the chāge of the heart, peace in God, love, feare, and the like, and both thy ſelfe and others may ſee thy courſe hereupon amended and daily bettered.
3. The ſoundeſt tryall whether we have received Hovv to try vvhether or not vve have received Chriſt.Chriſt is by our comfort and care, 1. ſuch as finde neither, muſt bewaile their ſtate, elſe no hope, 2. ſuch as be in doubt muſt never give over till they finde thoſe. 3. ſuch as finde thoſe muſt encreaſe them, which will not bee eaſie; for proſperity and adverſity will quench joy in the Spirit. Thus muſt wee ſeeke for comfort by removing all that may diſcomfort, and uſing all meanes to maintaine it, as above all to thinke oft and deeply on Gods goodneſſe to us, which will ſtirre up faith and love.
4. Its a godly wiſedome A point of godly vviſdome.to ſuſpect and try our willingneſſe and unwillingnes to any thing▪ ſo ſtrong and deceitfull are our affections.
5. Many are altogether We are to looke as vvell to outvvard as invvard corruptions.looking to the outward corruptions, others to the inward, the meane betweene both is beſt: as a man is in tryall and temptation, Note.ſuch a one is hee.
The Truth.
1. The beſt thing in us Why vve ought to love the truth.is to love the truth, and to hate hereſies, and that not becauſe the time doth ſo ſerve, as to praiſe, profit or preferre them that love the truth, though all the world loved hereſies and hereticks; though all be againſt us and love them.
2. As for the love of Want of love of the truth vvhereof it may make us affraid.the truth the Goſpell proceeded from fiſhermen to be embraced of the more learned ſort, ſo for want of love thereof its to bee feared that hereſie beginning in the ſimpler ſort, will infect the learned: and if God purpoſe to puniſh the blindeneſſe of our age, hee can as well ſend an hereticall Spirit into 400 of our learned preachers as hee ſent a lying Spirit in 400. Prophets.
Time.
1. To have a watchfull eye over the expence of Hovv to vvalk vvith God all day long.our time that no part of it ſlip away without doing ſome good, and that eſpecially which moſt appertaines to us, is a notable meanes to make us walke all the day long with God as the holy fathers did.
2. As the wicked will The time to be redeemed.dearely buy the time to commit iniquity, and that ſecretly which they dare not publiquely; ſo Gods children in the midſt of ſinners, if they want that ſtrength to profeſſe publickly, yet ought they to redeeme all opportunities, for exerciſe of godlineſſe, prayer, and faſting.
Vertue.
AS the right way is but Vertue is but one, the contraries there unto many.one, and by-wayes many, ſo the vertue commanded being one, the ſinnes contrary thereto be many, which as its to bee ſeene in all other, ſo in true liberalitie, and that kinde of goodneſſe which pertaines to the goods of our neighbour; The vertue required is that we have an earneſt deſire that our neighbour may have a benefit as well as our ſelves, and therefore that we procure their good as our owne, but the contrary vices bee many, not eaſily ſeene, for our hearts bee deceitfull, for when we finde our ſelves indifferently voide of one ſort of covetouſneſſe, wee imagine we are as free from all, when as it Note.is nothing ſo: for many in buying and ſelling can deale conſcionably, and be worthy commendation who yet in free giving are very backward, who therby may ſee their love to the world; others be frank enough in giving, and hard in buying and ſelling, too much ſeeking themſelves, who may beſides their covetouſneſs ſuſpect their hearts bee falſe, and moved to give for ſome finiſter reſpect, as privie pride to be wel ſpoken of, or ſecret merit to pleaſe God thereby, or that their conſcience could not elſe bee quiet but feare Gods diſpleaſure, whereas the true root of this grace ought to be faith in Chriſt love to his needie members, for which cauſe only Who they are that truly releeve others.freely to relieve is in none but Gods deare children. Againe ſome are not ſo ſcraping in getting, as pine at their loſſes, and are miſerable in ſpending; others prodigall, be extreame in getting by hook or crook: ſo that this love of the world ſhewes it ſelfe in many things.Hovv farre viſions are to be credited.
Viſions.
There may bee viſions now, but extraordinarie, which muſt have no credit without the word, for Satan will twice or thrice ſhew the truth, that thereby in weightier matters he may ſeduce.
Warfare.
HE that feels not his life a battle, and ſo feares Our life a vvarfare.his adverſarie, and is grieved with the wounds of ſinne, can have ſmall comfort in Chriſtianitie.
Watchfulneſſe.
1. Watchfulneſſe is a looking to our ſelves for What vvatchfulneſſe is.our ſoules health oft required, ſtanding in avoiding all hurtfull things, and procuring all good.
2. As ſecurity ſets open The contrary effects of ſecurity and vvathfulneſſe.to all danger whereby many fall, as appeareth by the examples of David, Solomon and Peter, ſo through watchfulneſſe are many upholden.
3. Watchfulneſſe is either The kinds of vvatchfulneſſe.generall, which muſt be in every action, or ſpeciall at ſet times, and upon ſpeciall occaſions.
Wiſhes.
Wee muſt bee carefull There is care to bee had therof.of our wiſhes, leſt the Lord grant them, when we would not have them, as often falleth out.
The word of God.
1. It is ever beſt to note The generall vertue of the vvord to be noted.the generall vertue of the word, and not to uſe exceptions, but upon particular and conſtraining neceſſitie.
2. The cauſe why wee Why vvee profit not in the vvord.profit not in the word is becauſe wee pray not to have our hearts ſtriken therewith.
3. Who ſo heares the The effect of careleſſe hearing.word careleſly, no marvell though he have no delight therein.
4. The word of God of it ſelfe doth only as a light The vvord and ſpirit muſt goe together.reveale Gods will, and cannot work on the heart but that is onelyonly the work of the Spirit, who by the word, lighteneth, humbleth, feareth, comforteth, perſwadeth.
5. This ſore evill have I obſerved among many Why moſt profit not by hearing the vvord.diligent hearers of whom is to bee well hoped for ſome worke of grace in them, as a chiefe cauſe why they heare much with little profit, and therfore no growth can be ſeene in them, yea rather a decaying, namely that they content themſelves with ſuch a marking of that which is delivered, as that they can in any meaſure report what they heard, and approve thereof, which as its neceſſary, ſo its inſufficient and can little edifie the ſoule in ſound godlineſſe, and therfore ought not to pacifie the conſcience, whereas that onelyonly hearing can ſoundly edifie and ought to pacifie, when as our hearts be delighted in the knowledge revealed or confirmed, and our conſciences pricked with the ſenſe of thoſe ſins whichbe rebuked, in ſuch ſort that we can at our moſt convenient time turne aſide and bewaile them and labour by prayer with the Lord for forgiveneſſe and power unto amendment, or otherwiſe bee drawne by hearing of our duties to de…re and purpoſe to performe them, and ſo make new covenants with the Lord hereof, wherein this care is ſo much the more neceſſarie, for that this fruitfull hearing is the The benefit of fruitfull hearing.principall nurſe of all Chriſtianitie. Beſides this there is another great danger, in that wee ſo ſoon let ſlip our hold, forget or neglect our purpoſes, and ſo ſoone waxe weary in good courſes. But its to be hoped that they who have in truth purpoſed Note.and begunne well ſhall be recovered from their falls, and quickened afreſh by new inſtructions, which eſpecially doth commend the neceſſity of continuall hearing or living under an ordinary miniſterie.
6. As nothing more The vvord is food for the ſoule.concernes our bodily life then food, ſo for our ſpirituall life the word.
7. Our chiefe default A chiefe default in hearing.in hearing is that wee are not ſo affected with ſorrow or comfort, as that we be perſwaded to leave the ſinne, and doe the duty ſpoken of.Whether vve are to goe to Churchon the vveek daies or not
8. Touching the hearing of the word on the weeke dayes, this may be reſolved, that if our work be ſuch as cannot at another time be done, or bee for the preſent well omitted, its lawfull for us to ſtay therefrom. A tryall whereof may bee had in this, if a man of honour, or great credit with us ſhould require us at ſuch times to come to him, whether wee would deny him or not, if we would not deny him, how can we with good conſcience deny the Lord our preſence in the congregation?
Worldly-mindedneſſe.
Its a matter much to Worldly mindednes a common ſinne among profeſſors.be lamented that among ſo many Profeſſors we ſee ſo exceeding few, ſcarce one of a thouſand who hath apparantly overcome the world by his faith, ſetting light by theſe things below, the heavenly having wholly his heart Though it bee our deſire to have our hearts withdrawne herefrom, yet ſo weakly doe we labour the ſame, that with ſhame we may bewaile our want.
Worldly-wiſedome.
Its the ſhame of our holy Gods children not ſo vviſe for their ſoules as are vvorldlings for their bodies.profeſſion that the children of the world are in their kinde wiſer than the children of light. The wiſedome of worldlings for this world is admirable, how deepe a reach have they to ſee into their matters? how quick to ſpy out all advantages, to forecaſt all doubts, to prevent all that may croſſe them, and to follow all opportunities to attain their deſires, and to make all ſure, O but how retchleſſe and babiſh be moſt Chriſtians for grace and happineſſe! Some ſecurely defer all to God, taking no thought what ſhal become of them: others content themſelves with bare ſhewes to have a name of Chriſtianitie: others, with ſmal beginnings, as though every little were enough: moſt deceive themſelves with fooliſh conceit their care is better then it is: few or none match the worldling in prying into the privy commoditie of Chriſtianitie, and ſo valuing it aright, in deep reach to compaſſe theſe, in forecaſting all doubts, and preventing all impediments, taking and purſuing all occaſions, ſparing no coſt, time, paines of attaining, and never give over till we be ſure, and then with all watch and ward to hold faſt that wee have gotten and daily to encreaſe the ſame.
Young children.
YOung children may be Inſtruction of young children.taught things concerning God.
Zeale.
1. SEeing the moſt zealous in time doe coole, its a Prayer to be kept from the ſins of the time.moſt neceſſary prayer that God would keep us in our age from the ſinnes of the time we live in.
2. We are to take heed that the love of mens perſons There muſt be both zeale and love in rebukingſlack not our zeale in rebuking ſin in them, and that our zeale againſt ſin ſlack not our love to the perſon.
3. Its a godly zeale to Zeale to Gods glory wherein manifeſtedGods glory to feare every leaſt thing in our brethren and yet in love to hope the beſt.
FINIS.
End of the text · Ezekiel Culverwell, Time Well Spent in Sacred Meditations (1634)