A01550:191
The spiritual watchThe spirituall vvatch
The spiritual watch, or Christs general watch-word A meditation on Mark. 13. 37. By Thomas Gataker B. of D. and pastor of Rotherhith.The spirituall vvatch, or Christs generall watch-word A meditation on Mark. 13. 37. By Thomas Gataker B. of D. and pastor of Rotherhith.
London: printed by Edward Griffin for William Bladen, 1619
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
§. 76. Nor let any man allege here in way of excuse for himself, that for the works of his calling, they are so many, so manifold, he cannot possibly find any spare time to spend thus in religious employments. For (to omit what might be said further in way of answer hereunto) did they esteem so highly of holy things as the worth of them well deserveth, they would find time for them as well as they do ordinarily for matters of far less weight then it. Yea (that which is a foul shame to consider) those that will pretend such straits of time to shift off such employments, can find many of them time enough (if not more then enough) to follow their vain and idle disports. And canst thou ⟨p. 117⟩find every day almost spare time enough at large for the one? and canst thou no day almost find the least spare time at all for the other? Undoubtedly that day mayest thou well esteem but evil employed, whereof thou spendest more part in thy vain delights, then in the advancement of thy spiritual good.
§. 76. Nor let any man alledge heere in way of excuse for himselfe, that for the workes of his calling, they are so many, so manifold, hee cannot possibly finde any spare time to spend thus in religious imployments. For (to omit what might be said further in way of answer hereunto) did they esteeme so highly of holy things as the worth of them well deserueth, they would finde time for them as well as they doe ordinarily for matters of farre lesse weight then it. Yea (that which is a foule shame to consider) those that will pretend such straites of time to shift off such imployments, can finde many of them time enough (if not more then enough) to follow their vaine and idle disports. And canst thou ⟨p. 117⟩finde euery day almost spare time enough at large for the one? and canst thou no day almost finde the least spare time at all for the other? Vndoubtedly that day maist thou well esteeme but euill imployed, whereof thou spendest more part in thy vaine delights, then in the aduancement of thy spirituall good.