A guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties wherein it consisteth, the helpes inabling & the reasons parswading vnto it ye impediments hindering ye practise of it, and the best meanes to remoue them whereunto are added diuers prayers and a treatise of carnall securitie by Iohn Douname Batcheler in Diuinitie and minister of Gods Word.

CAP. XVIII.

Their obiection answered, who pretend that their multitude of worldly imployments will allow them no leisure for re∣ligious duties.

§. Sect. 1 That earthly blessings are no hindrances vnto godlines, but the immo∣derate loue of them.

WHen the mind and heart are indisposed to Gods seruice, and auerse to religious exercises, the flesh will neuer want excu∣ses to put them off, and withdraw vs from them; neither is there any estate and condition, which will not minister dis∣tractions and discouragements. For if wee be poore, it will suggest, that all our time is little enough, though it be wholly spent in our labours, that thereby we may earne and furnish our selues with things ne∣cessary for our maintenance: if we haue sufficiency and plenty of all tem∣porall blessings, they will steale our hearts from God, and so wholly fixe them vpon earthly things, that they will finde little or no leisure for spiri∣tuall exercises. And now they haue so many things to looke vnto, the care of so many businesses lying vpon them, so many and waighty imploy∣ments, for the well managing of their worldly estates, if they will not suf∣fer all to goe to losse, and the blessings of God to perish through their negligence, that they cannot, like others who haue little to doe, spend much of their time in religious exercises; as prayer, reading and hearing the Word, meditation and such like. Neither doe they thinke it necessa∣ry that they should so doe, seeing God will excuse, if not approoue and commend them, if they follow diligently the duties of their callings. And this carnall disposition in worldly men, our Sauiour taxeth in the Parable of those vnworthy ghests, who being inuited vnto the Marriage * 1.1 of the Kings Sonne, pretend diuers excuses, all which are borrowed from their worldly imployments. One had bought a piece of ground, and must * 1.2 needs goe and see it; another had bought a yoke of Oxen, and must needs goe to prooue them; another had married a wife, and could not come. Yea euen Martha her selfe, though otherwise a vertuous and religious * 1.3 woman, being incumbred with worldly imployments, thought her neg∣lect of hearing Christ, excused, and her sister Mary, worthy blame, because

she did not ioyne with her. For the answering of which obiection, let vs first know, that Gods temporall blessings, which hee hath bestowed vpon vs, are not in themselues any causes to hinder vs from the duties of Gods seruice, but our immoderate loue of them, which makes vs forget and neglect the Authour of our good, and to minde and affect the gifts, more then the giuer. For otherwise, the greatnesse of our meanes and possessi∣ons would not, through multitude of imployments, bee distractions to hinder vs from seruing God, but rather effectuall motiues to perswade vs vnto it, which also being rightly and wisely managed, would affoord vs better leisure for religious duties, seeing we are well prouided for, though we take but moderate care, and but ordinary paines in the workes of our callings. It is not our necessary busines and imployments, which so whol∣ly take vs vp, that we haue no time to spare for Gods seruice; but such cumbersome imployments which the inordinate and immoderate loue of the world and earthly things imposeth vpon vs, that by excessiue care and labour, our state being managed to the greatest aduantage, wee may be∣come suddenly rich. It is not the comforts of this life which hinder vs in the spirituall race, but the sinne and worldly concupiscence that doth so * 1.4 easily beset vs, which maketh them so waighty and cumbersome vnto vs. And therefore we must mortifie our carnall loue of earthly things, if wee would not haue them to be hindrances in spirituall exercises. For if wee doe not immoderately affect them, we shall take little pleasure, so to cum∣ber and ouertoyle our selues in our worldly imployments about them, that we can finde no time for religious duties. Let vs not inordinately loue the world, and worldly things, if we would haue the loue of the Father to * 1.5 abide in vs; nor deuote our selues to the seruice of the earthly Mammon, if we would haue any time to spare for Gods seruice. Let vs cease from our * 1.6 carnall wisedome, and not labour to bee rich, seeing riches make themselues wings, and fly away, like an Eagle towards heauen. Let not this heauie Iudge∣ment of God be drawne vpon vs by our worldly loue, that we should take pleasure to labour in the very fire, and weary our selues for very vanity. Let vs * 1.7 remember, that a feareful woe is denounced against him, that toyleth him∣selfe to increase that which is not his, and ladeth himselfe with thick clay; so as * 1.8 he cannot goe on cheerfully in the wayes of godlinesse. And that, if to multiply and heape vp this worldly pelfe, we neglect the duties of Gods seruice, he will crosse and curse our indeuours; and then wee shall sowe * 1.9 much, and bring in little; eate, but not haue enough; drinke, and not bee satisfied; clothe our selues, and not be warme; and put all the wages which we earne, into a bag with holes. For if God blow vpon it, when wee looke for much, it will come to little; or if he doe not, he will bring vpon vs a more heauy Iudge∣ment, by suffering vs to inioy our riches, which wee immoderately loue, that we may fall into tentations and snares, and into many foolish and hurtfull * 1.10 lusts, which drowne men in destruction and perdition. For the loue of money is the root of all euill, which while some coueted after, they haue erred from the faith, and pierced themselues thorow with many sorrowes. And this is that sore euill which Salomon obserued vnder the Sunne, namely, Riches kept for the * 1.11 owners thereof to their hurt. Let vs remember, that when we haue by all our toyle heaped vp riches, they shall (as the Wise man speaketh) perish by euill

trauell; and he that hath most wearied himselfe by getting wealth; As he * 1.12 came forth of his mothers wombe naked, so he shall returne as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

§. Sect. 2 That we must not vndertake all imploy∣ments which the world and flesh wil presse vpon vs.

Finally, let vs know, that if we will vndertake all such imployments as the world and the flesh will impose vpon vs, they will play the cruell Pha∣raohs, and oppresse our soules with a much more cruell seruitude then that of Egypt. For if wee doe but make mention of surceasing our la∣bours for a while, that we may haue some time to performe that seruice vnto God which he requireth, imputing this vnto vs as some idle and la∣zie humour, they will redouble our already too toylesome taske, and presse such deuout purposes out of vs with their heauie burthens, and rather then we should want imployment, to keepe vs from seruing God, they will cause vs to tire our selues, night and day, in gathering straw, that is, about idle vanities which will not profit, to be afterwards spent to as little purpose, namely, that vpon the foundation of riches thus scraped together, we may erect Pyramides and Towers threatening the skies, and mansion houses and stately buildings, to continue our names vnto poste∣rity. Yea in truth, there is not in the whole world such a terrible bondage to the body vnder the most tyrannous Lords, as this is to the soule, which the flesh and the world impose vpon it. For in them it is lawfull for the slaue at some time to finde leisure for rest and sleepe, for eating and drink∣ing, that being refreshed, hee may againe returne to his taske; whereas these more cruell tyrants weare out those soules which are imbondaged by them with toylesome labours, and yet will allow them no time for their spirituall repast, nor to refresh themselues and repaire their strength, by resting from their labours vpon the Lords Sabbaths, or by feeding vpon the Manna of the Word, in hearing, reading, and meditation, and by sequestring themselues from earthly businesse, that they may by prayer and inuocation, solace themselues in that sweet communion which they haue with God in this holy exercise. But if wee would haue our soules to thriue in spirituall grace and strength, wee must shake off the yoke of this tyranny, and neuer bee so wholly intent to aduance our worldly estate, as to neglect the taking of our soules repast in religious exercises, according to the counsell of Hierome to a vertuous Matrone: So (saith hee) take care of thine house, as that thou doe alwayes allow * 1.13 some leisure and liberty to thy soule. Neither doe I say this, that I would withdraw thee wholly from thy charge; yea rather, I doe it to this end, that in this vacation from worldly businesse, thou maist learne and medi∣tate, how thou oughtest to behaue thy selfe towards thy family and charge, when thou returnest vnto them. For howsoeuer wee must take care and paines about things concerning this life, in due time and place, yet so, as we doe according to our Sauiours counsell, giue the priority and precedency, both in our iudgements, affections, and practice, vnto spirituall and heauenly things, as being of farre greater waight and * 1.14 worth, seeking first the Kingdome of God, and his righteousnesse, and then temporall and earthly things in a second and inferiour place.

§. Sect. 3 That no busi∣nesse is of like moment, as by seruing God to saue our soules.

Neither is there any worldly businesse of like moment and impor∣tance, as by seruing God, to seeke and assure the saluation of our soules.

For this, as our Sauiour teacheth vs, is that one thing necessary, in compa∣rison * 1.15 whereof, all other things must be neglected, though they were of as high a nature as Martha's imployment, to giue entertainement vnto Christ himselfe. Of which, if we were well perswaded, and did esteeme spirituall and heauenly things, according to their true worth, wee, who can in our greatest imployments finde some spare time to spend about earthly trifles of small value, would not onely be streighted and scanted of it for religious exercises. Let no man (saith one) thinke it a lawfull excuse * 1.16 to alleadge his businesses of state, nor complaine of his imployments in the warres; seeing with euery faithfull man the Christian warfare ought first to be vndertaken. And this was Dauids iudgement, who esteemed the Law of the Lord better vnto him, then thousands of gold and siluer. The which was seconded by his affection; for as he professeth, hee loued Gods Commandements aboue gold, yea aboue fine gold. So Salomon, or rather the eternall Wisedome of God by him, teacheth vs to esteeme our spirituall trading for the good of our soules, aboue the merchandize of siluer, and the * 1.17 gaine of godlinesse aboue fine gold; seeing it is more precious then rubies, and all things that we can desire, are not to be compared vnto it. So the Lord by Iere∣mie, reckoneth all worldly things in comparison of this, as chaffe to wheate. * 1.18 And the Apostle esteemeth those things that were greatest gaine vnto him, no better then dung, yea, then losse, for the excellency of the knowledge of * 1.19 Iesus Christ. And therefore let vs not labour so much for the meate that peri∣sheth, as to neglect for it the meate which endureth to eternall life; as our Sa∣uiour * 1.20 exhorteth vs; for what will it profit vs to gaine the whole world, and to * 1.21 lose our owne soules? To get earthly treasures and riches, which the rust will fret and the moth eate; and to lose those heauenly and euerlasting treasures, which are not subiect to any casualties? To compasse by our care and labour Diues his dainty fare and costly clothing; and by neglect∣ing the seruice of God and the meanes of our saluation, to be cast with him into hell, where is weeping and gnashing of teeth? For there (as one saith) * 1.22 they shall waile and lament, who haue so infolded themselues with the cares of this life present, as that they could find no leasure to thinke of the life to come; whom the comming of the Lord shall take at vnawares, op∣pressed with the sleepe of ignorance and carnall security.

§. Sect. 4 That they who neglect the du∣ties of Gods seruice, cannot expect good successe to their labours.

Secondly, let all such know, that neglect the duties of Gods seruice, vn∣der the pretence of their great and waighty imployments, that they can∣not in so doing reasonably expect any good successe of their toylesome * 1.23 labours, or that they will answere their hopes, in the getting and preser∣uing of that wealth, which they so much loue and long after; for it is not their most carefull and painefull indeuours, but Gods blessing onely that maketh rich; It is he alone that giueth them power to get wealth. And how can they expect this blessing from God vpon their labours, when as they can finde no leasure to craue it at his hands? how can they thinke that he will, notwithstanding all their paines, prosper their worldly estates, vn∣lesse it bee for a further and more fearefull Iudgement, when as they haue no care to serue and please him? Yea, why may they not iustly feare that he will blow vpon their wealth, and cause it to vanish like smoake, and * 1.24 euen to melt like butter in the Sunne; or cause that riches, which is thus

wickedly gotten, by neglecting all duties of Gods seruice, to bee as wickedly spent by their heires and successours, seruing vnto them as in∣ducements and helpes to further them in all riotous and luxurious cour∣ses, to their ruine and destruction, as the getting of them hath beene the cause and occasion of many fearefull sinnes, and of the vtter neglect of all religious duties, that so both they and their heires, though they runne contrary wayes, may yet meete together in hell and condemnation. Let them also know, that if before they goe about the workes of their callings, they would renew their Couenant with God, by renewing their faith and repentance; and so being reconciled, vndertake their imployments with peaceable minds and good consciences; if they would first call vpon the Lord for his blessing vpon their labours, and resigne themselues and all their affaires to the gracious guidance of his good pro∣uidence; If they would propound his glory, as the mayne end of all their labour, and as they liue the life of faith, so also they would labour in the strength thereof; resting vpon Gods gracious promises, and way∣ting for a blessing vpon all their affaires; if they would sanctifie their * 1.25 workes by the Word and Prayer, vvithout which, euen those things which are in their owne nature pure and honest, become impure and * 1.26 prophane to the irreligious and vnbeleeuers, and desire the assistance of his holy Spirit for the directing of all their labours to a right end; Fi∣nally, if they would by all these religious exercises sharpen their tooles before they goe to worke, they should not heereby finde their labours put backe and hindered, but profitably aduanced, and better atchieued, then if they vndertake them being blunt and dull; seeing by the sharpe∣nesse of the instruments, they shall soone redeeme the time which is spent in whetting them. Neither would this hinder our Christian thrift, nor our godly and lawfull gaines, but much further and increase them; and repaire all wee lose, by that time which wee spend in Gods seruice with much aduantage, through his powerfull blessing vpon our labours, from which Fountaine alone, all lawfull prosperity springeth and flow∣eth. Whereas contrarywise, if neglecting these religious duties of Gods seruice, wee rest vpon our owne paines and prouidence, and as the Pro∣phet speaketh, sacrifice vnto our owne nettes, either God will curse and * 1.27 crosse our labours, and frustrate all our hopes, or if wee thriue by them in our worldly estates, all that wee get by this meanes, shall bee but like Naboths Vineyard to Ahab, which rooted out both him and all his posterity; like the Israelites Quayles, which came out of their no∣strels; like Iudas his sop, with which the deuill entred; or like cold wa∣ter, giuen to gratifie those who are sicke of a burning feauer; seeing it but inflameth the heate of their carnall concupiscence, and prepareth matter for their euerlasting burning in the vnquenchable flames of hell fire.

§. Sect. 5 That the du∣ties of our par∣ticular callings, must giue place to the generall calling of Christianity.

Thirdly, let them know, that the duties of our particular callings, must giue place to the generall calling of Christianity, when as both of them (as they ordinarily may) will not stand together. For by these duties we draw neere vnto God, and haue communion with him, and no calling must call vs from God, or withdraw vs from this blessed fellowship. They

are the spirituall repast of our soules, by which they get spirituall strength, and liue the life of faith; and therefore if wee so highly prize the health and life of our bodies, that wee thinke no businesse so impor∣tant, that should make vs neglect the meanes of preseruing them, as ea∣ting, drinking, resting, sleeping, and such like; why should wee imagine any to bee so waighty and necessary, as that for the following of it, wee should neglect the health and welfare of our precious soules? Let vs con∣sider, that our callings were made for vs, and not we for our callings; for our good and benefit, and not for our hurt and ruine; for the glorifying of God, and furthering of our saluation, and not for his dishonour, by neglecting his seruice, and like snares to intangle vs, that wee cannot pro∣ceed in such holy duties, as will make our calling and election sure. When two things come together, which differ in their degrees of excellency and necessity, we can easily resolue, in earthly things to giue priority and pre∣cedency vnto that, which exceedeth the other in worth and vse. O would wee could bee thus wise in this case; and seeing spirituall and heauenly things, and imployments about them, which tend to the euerlasting sal∣uation of our soules, doe as much exceed our earthly affaires, as heauen, earth, and those things which are permanent and euerlasting, such as are momentany and of short continuance; I would wee could be so wise for our owne good, as to giue those duties which excell, the first place and preheminence. God hath so graciously respected our infirmity and weakenesse, that whereas hee might haue challenged the greatest part of our time for his immediate seruice, as being aboue all other imployments most honourable and profitable, hee is content that wee should conse∣crate vnto him one day of seuen, and one or two houres of euery day, out of foure and twenty, or some small part of the Morning and Eue∣ning, leauing vnto vs all the rest for our businesses and imployments, which respect the good of our bodies and estates. And being left so rich, will wee yet steale? will wee incroach vpon Gods right, who hath dealt so bountifully with vs, and leaue him nothing, that deserueth all? Doe wee thinke it absurd to neglect the duties of our particular cal∣lings all the weeke, vnder pretence of spending our whole time in re∣gious exercises, as hearing the Word, Prayer, Meditation; and yet imagine it to bee an excuse which will passe for currant, if neglect∣ing all duties of Christianity, which are much more excellent and ne∣cessary, wee can say for our selues, that wee are so wholly taken vp with worldly imployments, that wee can spare no time at all for holy duties? Yea, doe wee thinke it vnequall, that the duties of piety and Religion should incroach a little vpon that long time which is allotted to the du∣ties of our callings; and shall these spoile the other of their right, see∣ing they haue ordinarily such scant allowance, though they bee in their nature much more excellent, and to vs more profitable and necessary? O let not the world and our owne carnall loue of earthly vanities so much besot vs; but let vs as willingly and cheerefully allow that short time re∣quired to religious duties, which aduance our spirituall estate, inrich vs with sauing graces, preserue our soules in good plight and liking, further our saluation, and assure vs of heauenly and euerlasting happi∣nesse;

as wee doe a farre longer time to worldly imployments about our corruptible bodies, and fickle estates, and the compassing of such earthly things, as in comparison are vaine and of no worth, and in respect of their durablenesse and continuance, momentany and mu∣table. And if at any time we be brought into such straights of time, that the one of necessity must giue place to the other, let those exer∣cises which are of the more noble nature, haue the precedencie; and being much more excellent in worth, and yet bounded with much narrower limits of time, let the better be preferred before the worse, and that which is onely poorer in time, borrow from that which out of its plenty hath more to lend. Wherein wee haue the poore * 1.28 shepheards for our examples and precedents, who neglected their sheepe, to seeke and finde out their Sauiour; In Mary, who spared time * 1.29 from her worldly, though weighty imployments, that she might nourish her soule with the bread of life; and in our Sauiour Christ himselfe, who being scanted of time, for the publique duties of his cal∣ling in preaching the Word and working miracles; yet rather chose to borrow time from his rest and sleepe, then he would neglect the Religious duty of priuate prayer.

§. Sect. 6 That we haue time sufficient for Religious and ciuill du∣ties, if it be wisely hus∣banded.

Fourthly, let vs consider, that we are not ordinarily thrust into such straights, but that if we will, we may easily finde some conuenient time for both sorts of duties; those which are religious belonging to Gods seruice, and those which are ciuill, about our ordinary callings. Nei∣ther is there any vocation so laborious, which if it be wisely followed, will not affoord some fit time for holy exercises. For tell me, thou who complaynest of thy little leisure, and thy short time for thy great imployments, if thou be so niggardly thrifty in expending it, that thou hast none to spare from the workes of thy calling to any other vse or purpose; Doest thou not borrow from them, so much as would serue religious duties, not one houre in the foure and twenty, to be deuided betweene thy morning and euening deuotions? Doest not thou, who complaynest of this waste, in that time which is bestowed vpon Christ and the duties of Gods seruice, spend much more vpon thine own lusts and sinfull pleasures, either in superfluous sleepe, or complementall in∣uitations or visitations, or in vaine disports and vnprofitable pastimes, or in fruitlesse, if not carnall & corrupt communication and idle chat, or sitting longer at thy meales then either health or profit, necessity or ci∣uility doth require? And is thine hap so hard, that thou art at liberty for all other purposes, and art only pinched in the straits of time, when thou shouldest spare a little for Gods seruice, and the eternall wel-fare of thy precious soule? Surely if this be thy case, thy state is miserable; for he that wanteth time for Gods seruice, will also want it for his own saluation. He that can finde no time for the Lords worke, shall neuer haue time to receiue his wages. He that can finde no leisure to inrich his soule with spirituall grace, shall thereby also lose the opportunity of attayning vnto heauenly glory. Doe not then for shame abuse thy selfe any longer with so vaine an excuse, as though thou couldest finde in thine heart to be godly and religious, if thou couldest finde any time

for religious exercises. For either thou must confesse, that thou spen∣dest no time worse, or acknowledge thy folly in not preferring the bet∣ter: either that the duties of Gods seruice, which concerne his glory, & thine own saluation, are lesse excellent and necessary then any of thine ordinary imployments, or else that thou art as vnwise as prophane, in spending so thy whole time in those, as that the other for want of time should be quite excluded. But rather learne wisely to deuide thy selfe and leisure between them, allotting constantly to either their due por∣tion, and thou shalt finde conuenient time both for religious and ciuill exercises; & when thy spirituall man, like Mary, hath chosen the better part, let not the flesh by its murmuring pull thee from it. And if the du∣ties of our callings importune vs for a greater allowance of time, that we may dispatch them, let vs not incroach vpon Gods right, and rob our soules of that leysure and liberty which is required to spirituall exercises, but let vs rather borrow it from our flesh, which may better spare it; as either from our superfluous sleepe, or vaine pastimes, or fruitlesse discourses, or some other thing as worthlesse and vnprofita∣ble. And if wee haue not yet time enough for our multitude of imployments, our best course is to imitate wise Pilots and Mari∣ners, who will lighten their shippe of some part of her lading, that they may saue the rest and best part of their goods from danger of sinking. And like wise trauaylers, when wee finde our selues ready to faint vnder our burthen, let vs cast away the refuse which may best be spared, that wee may bring our chiefe treasures and choysest iewels to our iourneyes end. For if our Sauiour Christ would haue vs to forsake father and mother, wife and children, yea euen our owne liues, rather then they should hinder vs from being his Disciples; If he * 1.30 would haue vs to pluck out our eyes, and cut off our right hands, if they offend vs, and hinder our iourney to heauenly happines, because it is better that * 1.31 some of our members should perish, then that the whole body should be cast into hell: then how much rather should we cast off some of our worldly bu∣sinesses, when they so encumber and turmoyle vs, that they allow vs no leysure for spirituall exercises, nor to performe those religious duties, which being neglected, depriue vs of all assurance of eternall saluation?

§. Sect. 7 That none are exempted by God from the duties of his seruice, vn∣der pretence of any other businesse.

Finally, let those who excuse their neglect of Gods seruice, by pretending their multitude of important businesses, which allow them no leisure for Religious exercises, know and remember, that the Lord exempteth none, no, not Kings themselues, from perfor∣ming of them, whose imployments notwithstanding exceede those of other men, both in weight and number, as hauing not onely the charge and burthen of their owne families, but of the whole Church and Common-wealth lying vpon them. For euen they are comman∣ded to haue with them continually the Booke of Gods Law, and to reade and me∣ditate * 1.32 therein all the dayes of their life, that they may learne to feare the Lord their God, and to keepe all the Words of his Law and his Statutes, to doe them. Let them also consider the care of Gods seruants in all ages, to yeeld vnto him this seruice and obedience. So that though their businesses and imployments haue beene neuer so manifold and weighty, yet

when they haue beene most encumbred, they euer found time suffici∣ent for the Religious duties of Gods seruice. Who euer had more, and more weighty imployments then Iosua, both in warre and peace; as hauing not onely a Kingdome to conquer, and many mighty and warlike enemies to subdue, which was afterward to be deuided amongst all the tribes, but also a stiffenecked people vnder his gouern∣ment, vnto whom, vpon all weighty occasions he was to administer iustice? And yet, as the Lord charged him, that the Booke of the Law should * 1.33 not depart out of his mouth, but that he should meditate therein day and night, that he might obserue to doe according to all that was written therein; so did he answerably yeeld his obedience, professing before all the people, that though they should all neglect these duties, yet he and his house∣hold * 1.34 would serue the Lord. Who could spare lesse time then holy Da∣uid from his important imployments, both in warre and peace? And yet all this could not hinder him from Religious exercises, but vpon all occasions he meditated in Gods Law both day and night; * 1.35 and thrice in the day at least, did in a set and solemne manner call vpon him; besides his often prayers and prayses vpon speciall oc∣casions. Who could haue lesse leysure then Daniel, that hauing the care of managing the chiefe affaires of a mighty Monarchy imposed vpon him, had all his actions so curiously scanned by his many, mightie, and malicious enemies, that small negligences would haue beene aggrauated against him as great faults? And yet not∣withstanding all these businesses of State, and those that concerned his owne particular, he could thrice a day sequester himselfe from * 1.36 them all, and in a solemne manner deuote himselfe to the Religious duties of Gods seruice. Yea, was there euer any man so seriously imployed, in such important affaires of his publique calling, as our Sauiour Christ, so as he could scarce spare any time from his prea∣ching, working miracles, and such diuine exercises, for the releeuing of his body, and satisfying of his hunger? And yet rather then hee * 1.37 would want time for his priuate prayers and deuotions, hee bor∣rowed some from his sleepe. And therefore, vnlesse we would not be numbred among the faithfull, let vs follow their examples; if wee would be esteemed Christs Disciples, let vs imitate his practice, and not thinke our selues excused in the neglect of Religious duties by our worldly businesses, which are incomparably lesse in number, and lighter in value and true worth, then those wherein many of Gods Saints and seruants haue bene dayly imployed, from which not∣withstanding they borrowed time sufficient for spirituall exercises. The which admonition, as it generally concerneth all Christians of euery calling; so especially Students and Professours of Diuinity, who are more apt then others, to excuse their neglect of Christian practice in pious & Religious duties, because they are so wholy taken vp with their studies and speculations, that they haue little or no ley∣sure for the other: The which they thinke not only iustifiable, but also commendable, because their mindes are continually exercised in the theory and speculation of religious obiects, and in diuine studies and

contemplations. But such are to know, that nothing more hindreth the Religious practice of Christianity, then when we spend our time, and suffer our selues to be wholy taken vp with ieiune speculations, & such studies as are onely mentall: Because being exercises and labours of the minde and soule, they toyle and tyre it, and so spend all the vertue and vigour of the powers and faculties belonging vnto it, and waste and exhaust the spirits, that no strength remayneth for practique du∣ties, nor any ability to performe any exercises of Religion and deuo∣tion. Yea, aboue all other imployments, they most alienate the minde, and withdraw the heart and affection wholy from them. For whereas those who are exercised about bodily labours, as riding, trauayling, working in their arts and trades, plowing and such like, may often haue leysure, without any great distraction, to lift vp their hearts vnto God in short Prayers & Meditations, in praysing God, and singing Psalmes, not for custome, but for conscience sake, not to make themselues mer∣rie and passe the time with lesse tediousnesse, but out of a pure desire to glorifie God; or to entertaine one another with Religious discour∣ses and holy conferences; those whose mindes are taken vp with lit∣terall studies and speculations, can no more intend the spirituall exer∣cises of Christian deuotion, then they can at the same time suppe and blow, because the powers of the minde being finite, cannot intend many things at once. The which (as I thinke) is a chiefe cause, why the acutest Schoolemen and greatest & most learned Doctors in high mysteries and curious speculations, are oftentimes most cold in de∣uotion, and most negligent in the practice of holy duties, although they are able to teach them vnto others.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Math. 22. 2.
• * 1.2

  Luk. 14. 18, 19.
• * 1.3

  Luk. 10. 42.
• * 1.4

  Heb. 12. 1.
• * 1.5

  1. Ioh. 2. 15. Math. 6 24.
• * 1.6

  Pro 23. 4, 5.
• * 1.7

  Hab. 2. 13.
• * 1.8

  Vers. 6.
• * 1.9

  Hag. 1. 6, 7, 8.
• * 1.10

  1. Tim. 6 9, 10.
• * 1.11

  Eccl. 5. 13.
• * 1.12

  vers. 15.
• * 1.13

  Ita habeto soli∣citudiuem do∣mus, vt aliquam tamen vacatio∣nem animae tri∣buas, &c. Hieron. ad Ce∣lantiam.
• * 1.14

  Math. 6. 33.
• * 1.15

  Luk. 10. 42.
• * 1.16

  Jgitur nemo se excuset public is actibus, nemo de occupatione mi∣litiae conquera∣tur, &c. August. in Psal. 93. Psal. 119. 72. Vers. 127.
• * 1.17

  Pro. 3. 14, 15. & 8. 11.
• * 1.18

  Ier. 23. 28.
• * 1.19

  Phil. 3. 7, 8. Joh. 6. 27.
• * 1.20

  Mar. 8. 36.
• * 1.21

  Mat. 6. 19, 20.
• * 1.22

  Illi vtique om∣nes plangent, illi lugebunt, qui ita se curis vitae prae∣sentis inuoluunt, vt obliuiscantur futuram, &c. Hyer. ad Celant.
• * 1.23

  Pro. 10. 22. Deut. 8. 18.
• * 1.24

  Hag. 1. 9.
• * 1.25

  1. Tim 4. 5.
• * 1.26

  1. Cor. 10. 31.
• * 1.27

  Hab. 1. 16.
• * 1.28

  Luk. 2. 15.
• * 1.29

  Luk. 10. 40.
• * 1.30

  Luk. 14. 26.
• * 1.31

  Matth. 5. 29.
• * 1.32

  Deut. 1. 17, 18, 19.
• * 1.33

  Ios. 1. 8.
• * 1.34

  Ios. 24. 15.
• * 1.35

  Psal. 88. 1. & 119. 55, 62. Psal. 55. 17. & 119. 64.
• * 1.36

  Dan. 6. 10.
• * 1.37

  Luk. 6. 12. & 21, 37.