§. Sect. 1 The obiection of difficulty acknowledged and answered.
ANd thus I haue spoken more largely of the profit & necessity of this holy exercise, then some, perhaps, will think either ne∣cessary or profitable; because I well knew how auerse & back∣ward our corrupt nature is vnto it. In which regard, we no more need to be instructed in the knowledge of it, how we may doe it aright, then strong motiues & inducements to inforce the pra∣ctice of that we know. For when our iudgmēts are inlightened in the right vse of this exercise, we are still ready to frame excuses, to blind and delude our reason, and to stop the cry of our consciences, when they accuse vs for the neglect of so necessary a duty; and euen when wee are ready to goe about it, our sloth and security pretendeth such necessary impediments, and casteth such stumbling blockes in our way, that wee are discouraged from proceeding in it. As first, we are ready to alleadge, that it is a matter of great difficulty for vs that are in the world, to sequester our mindes wholly from worldly things, that they may be wholly taken vp with those which are spirituall and heauenly, and are so farre out of the reach of our naturall abilities. And surely it cannot be denied, but that this duty, as all other things excellent, is hardly atchieued; for being but children in knowledge, and weakelings in grace, it is no more easie to attend any seri∣ous exercises, profitable for our soules health, then it is for boyes to banish out of their mindes childish vanities, and to apply themselues wholly to their studies, that they may get learning, and become good schollers. But this must not make vs to neglect this exercise, but considering how excel∣lent, profitable, and necessary it is, we must be so much the more earnest in our resolutions, and diligent in our indeuours, to set our selues seri∣ously about it, by how much it appeareth to be of greater difficulty. To which purpose, let vs know, that as children finde most discouragements, and greatest difficultie in attaining to learning in their first entrance, but afterwards, when they are come to some proficiency, finde it more easie, and tasting the sweetnesse of it, goe on in their studies, with cheerefulnesse and delight: so the greatest difficulty is in the first beginnings of this holy exercise; seeing vse and practice will make it easie and familiar; and the sweetnesse which we shall find in it to our spirituall taste, and the fruit and benefit which we shall reape by it, richly recompencing all our labour, will take away all tediousnesse, and make vs to performe it with all cheereful∣nesse. And as those which haue beene trained vp in the delightfull studies of Poetry, Philosophy, and History, in the Vniuersities, can hardly apply themselues to the study of the Law, yet doe at the first bend, and euen in∣force their minds to it, being incouraged with golden hopes, and after∣wards comming to practice, proceed with delight, when they become sensible of the gaine; so our mindes, hauing beene inured to wander about earthly things, which are most pleasing to our carnall appetite, can hard∣ly apply themselues to spirituall and heauenly Meditations, which are