Christs Justification of Marys Choice, Part 5
V. But what is the sin here Reproved, &c? What harm is it to be thus carefull and troubled about many things, that are not comparatively needfull?
Ans. 1. To preferr little things before greater, and thus to imploy our selves, is a wilfull debasing of our Souls, which should be exercised about that which is answerable to the dignity of their natures; as it is a debasing of a Prince to use him as Beggars, or in sordid work; and as it were below a wise man to talk at the rate of Fools and Children; so is it a debasing of a Soul that is made for things of endless consequence, to imploy it upon needless trifles. Pride maketh men think well of themselves, and look high in the world, and disdain to be set low in mens thoughts, words or employments; and yet when God commandeth them to look higher, they choose a low and sordid life.
2. It is a wilfull contempt of the most excellent things: God and our Redeemer, Grace and Glory are before us, and should be remembred and sought in the first place; and it is a contempt of them, needlesly to turn from them our minds and time to vanity: The mind of man is not infinite, but narrow, and cannot be employed on many things at once; if it be taken up with trifles, it cannot choose but neglect greater things: And for God, and Christ, and Heaven to be set by, while we play with toyes, is profane Contempt.
Obj. We cannot be alwaies thinking of God and Heaven.
Ans. But you must alwaies be serving God in one kind or other, and alwaies doing that which tends to Heaven; as you are not all day meditating of the Light, but you are all day using it.
3. This taking up our minds and time with needless things, is a great injury to our selves, by neglect of our own greatest benefit and necessities: Did but men know what they have to mind and seek, it would be their speedy cure. Alas, we are all behind hand in our great and necessary business; and these Triflers usually are more behind hand than others: They have more to do of unspeakable consequence, than all their time and diligence will serve for, as it deserveth, (having lost so much already) and yet have they so much to spare for trifles?
O that these Loyterers knew their necessity and their work. 1. You have a God to know, of whom you are too …gnorant; you have his Word and Will …o know, which you are yet much un…cquainted with. 2. Do you know what it is to get, keep, use and strengthen a lively belief of the Word of God, and the unseen World? 3. Do you know what it is to get assurance that God is your reconciled Father, that Christ and Salvation are yours? that you are truly sanctified, and shall live in Heaven for ever? 4. Do you know what it is to get the Heart in Love with God, and to long after Communion with him in Glory? 5. Do you know what it is to get down all the lusts of the flesh, and watch against all the snares of sense and vain imagination, and to escape the love of these alluring pleasures, and the danger of particular sins of sensuality? 6. Do you know what it is to subdue all your carnal affections and passions, and to get in their stead a zeal for God, and to be fervent in his Service? 7. Do you know what it is to get above the love of Riches, and to escape all the snares of Covetous desires? 8. Do you know what it is to keep a holy government of your thoughts, and to employ them in their proper work? 9. Do you know what it is to rule your tongues, in forbearing evil, and using them for that which they are made for? 10. And do you know what the spiritual, sincere and constant use of all Gods Worship is, Word, Prayer, Sacraments, &c? 11. Do you know what it is to renew Repentance for our renewed sins? 12. And to keep down all Pride, and to walk humbly before God and man? 13. Do you know what it is to love others as your selves; to do as much good to all mens Souls and Bodies as you can? 14. And what it is to discharge all the duties of your several relations, to all your superiours, inferiours and equals? 15. And what it is to find out the corruptions and deceitfulness of your own hearts, and well to understand your selves? 16. And what it is to understand the nature and danger of all Satans temptations, and to escape or overcome them? 17. And what it is to obey all the motions of Gods Spirit? 18. And to use all our daily Mercies well? 19. And to bear Afflictions patiently and profitably? 20. And to be above the love of this body and life, and ready to dye? 21. And to live in the joy and comfort which beseemeth the Children of God, the members of Christ that wait in hope of endless glory? Do but understand what all, or half this is, and conscionably do it, and then spend the rest of your time in Cards, Dice, Playes, vain Adornings, Curiosities and other trifles.
4. Consider also that Time and Life are very short and very uncertain, and therefore not to be spent on needless things by one that standeth at the door of eternity.
5. The experience of other men should move us: All right repenting men, and most dying men, wish that their time had not been so wasted, but spent on that which was necessary to the great ends of life.
6. Conscience telleth most that have not seared it, that at Death and Judgment we are like to wish that needfull things had taken up all our time.
7. It is a wrong to our great Creator and Preserver, that we should thus wast our time while he maintaineth us, as if he gave us Life and Mercy for such Vanity.
8. The Example of Christ and his Saints, is a reproof of all such Vanity; we find not that they thus spent their thoughts and time.