§. Sect. 10 Of the wofull neglect of this holy exercise.
But though this counsell be good, yet few in these dayes do greatly need it, seeing it is so wofully neglected amongst the most who professe Chri∣stianity, that there is much more need of a spur to hasten our speed, then of a bridle to restraine vs from running our selues out of breath. For ma∣ny there are, who otherwise in their iudgements hold this exercise of rea∣ding as commendable and profitable, that are yet so wholly addicted to the world, that they can scarce finde any leisure in any one day of the weeke, to spend some time in this religious exercise, but are wholly taken vp with such imployments, as will bring vnto them some earthly profit, or with the cares of this life, and forecasting of their businesse for their best aduantage. Others abounding in leisure, rather then they will spend any time in this profitable exercise (the which notwithstanding is irkesome and tedious, when they are idle and haue nothing to doe,) do wholly giue themselues ouer to sports and pastimes, hunting and hawking, carding and dicing, dancing and reuelling, or else idle and vaine communication, and complementall visitations, heereby preparing against themselues a fearefull reckoning, when being called to giue vp their accounts, before the supreme Iudge of heauen and earth, how they haue spent that preci∣ous time which he hath allowed vnto them to glorifie him, and make their Calling and Election sure, they shall be constrained to giue euidence a∣gainst themselues, out of the bookes of their owne consciences, that they haue spent almost all their time in things vaine and wicked, seruing therby the diuell, the world, and their owne carnall lusts, and little or none at all in spirituall exercises, and in the duties of Gods seruice. Neither will it (at this day) any thing auaile vs to say, that we had so much worldly busines, that we could not intend this, and such religious exercises, seeing God in his Law hath absolutely required them, not dispencing with vs vpon any * 1.1 pretence of busines. For euen Kings and great Commanders, who haue greatest, and most important imployments, both in warre and peace, are * 1.2 not withstanding expresly inioyned to reade and meditate in Gods Law. The which was accordingly performed by holy Dauid, though hee had as many distractions, and waighty imployments as any other. Yea, then it * 1.3 will be told vs, if we will not know it before, that we were chiefly sent into the world, that we might do seruice vnto our Lord and Master, who hath created and redeemed vs, which therfore ought to haue bin preferred be∣fore all other imployments; & that the duties of Gods seruice, and meanes fitting vs vnto it, was that one thing necessary, and our main and chiefe busi∣nes, * 1.4 vnto which all other businesses & worldly affaires, which tend only to maintain our momentany and vncertaine liues, & to vphold our brittle & mutable estates, for a moment of time, in respect of eternity, ought to haue * 1.5 giuen place, if both of them could not stand together; as they ordinarily might, if we were not too greedy in pursuing these worldly trifles with an