§. Sect. 2 Of our general preparation in the whole weeke.
Now this preparation is either generall or more speciall. The generall, is in the whole weeke before, by performing those Christian and religious duties, of which I haue formerly intreated. For if the heart be kept con∣tinually in good plight and order, seasoned with the loue of piety, and settled in a good course, then the duties of the Lords day will be easie and familiar, sweete and delightfull. And as he that keepeth himselfe in breath by running euery day, holdeth out well when he is put to his best speed, and runneth that race for the getting of the Garland; whereas he who taketh his ease, is pursie and shortwinded, and running with much paine and dif∣ficultie, tyreth before he come to the goale; so if we would euery day inure our selues to run our spirituall race, in the performance of all holy duties, wee should finde our selues long-winded, actiue, and able to hold out, when as on the Lords Day wee are put (as it were) to our best speede, for the obtaining of the Garland of grace, and Crowne of glory: whereas if wee spend the weeke in slothfull ease, and pamper our selues to the full with sensuall delights; If we giue our hearts liberty to range after world∣ly vanities, and fix them wholy vpon earthly pleasures and profits; if we let our tongues loose to discourse onely of sensuall and terrene affaires, and neuer acquaint them with the language of Canaan; and if all our actions being suteable to them both, are wholly imployed about tempo∣rary obiects; then shall wee finde it impossible on the Lords day to with∣draw them from their common haunt; seeing for want of vse, religious ex∣ercises will be tedious and vnpleasant vnto vs, and though we with some force bring them to holy duties, yet finding no taste nor delight in them, they will euer and anon steale away, or violently breake from vs, and roue and range after worldly vanities.