§. Sect. 9 The fifth meanes is, con∣tinually to be taken vp in ho∣ly exercises.
Lastly, if wee would preserue the purity of our hearts, our care must be to haue them continually taken vp in holy exercises, either about the ge∣nerall duties of Christianity, or the speciall duties of our callings: of the former sort are the diligent and attentiue hearing and reading of the Word, which is a speciall meanes of our sanctification, as our Sauiour no∣teth, and of the strengthening of our faith, by which our hearts are pu∣rified; and also prayer at ordinary times eyther publike or priuate, recei∣uing the Sacrament, holy conferences one with another singing Psalmes, and doing the workes of righteousnesse vnto all, vpon all occasions, and the workes of mercy vnto those, who doe in any respect stand in neede of our helpe: of the other sort are inward eiaculations, and lifting vp our hearts in our secret prayers at all times, and vpon all occasions, and ho∣ly meditations of Gods mercies or our owne miseries, or on the meanes whereby we may be inriched with all grace, and enabled vnto the perfor∣mance of holy duties. For this priuiledge the heart hath aboue all other parts, that whereas they cannot exercise their duties, but when fit oppor∣tunity is offered, as the eare cannot heare the Word, but when it is preached, nor the hand performe workes of mercy, but when it hath meanes to doe them, and fit subiects to worke vpon, the heart needeth neuer to be idle and out of holy exercise: but euen when our bodies are taken vp with the workes of our callings, or honest recreations, wee may on all occasions pray, giue thankes, and exercise our hearts in holy me∣ditations, eyther reioycing in the Lord and his mercies, or sighing and sorrowing in the sight and sense of our owne miseries. And if our hearts be thus exercised, being wholy taken vp with Gods seruice, they will haue no leysure for the imployments of the diuell, the world and the flesh; whereas if they be swept cleane of all spirituall grace and holy duties, the diuell will easily enter with whole swarmes of noysome lusts, and so pollute them at his pleasure with all manner of poysonous abo∣minations.