The new birthThe nevv birth

I say, the most honest and lawful recreations in the world, so inordinately followed, without regard of the due end thereof, and without the practice of Christian moderation in them, is no less harmful to the soul, then it is to the body to be over-watched, or over-laboured. It dulleth the heart, it clogs the conscience, it stoppeth the mouth from praying, it interrupteth all good meditations, and by little and little doth steal away the hart from God and godliness; till at the length gross sins and presumptuous, do come in the neck of lawful liberties abused. The same be spoken of the use of dainty fare, and soft raiment, and all other natural comforts, when the heart begins to be engaged to them; when we only seek our own satisfaction in them; when we forget to demonstrate in our manner of using them, a denial of the world, and a crucifying of our selves to the world, and the world to us: then they ⟨p. 135⟩are dangerous to our souls, and do even little less then kill up the new man in us. O I would that the experience of many a Christian did not verify this! Learn therefore to temper your selves in things indifferent; to be moderate in following your calling; moderate in using recreations; moderate in meat and drink, and attire; and always rather to be over-sparing to your selves in these things, then over-large; rather abridge thy self of somewhat thou mightest have, then by venturing as far as ever thou art able, to make thy self believe it is lawful, to bring thy self in danger of going a step or two further, and falling into a f•at sinful abuse. Show forth the virtues of Christ Jesus, & let it appear, that thou doest not love the world, nor the things thereof, by being content always to come a little too short of thine allowance, then any whit at all exceeding it. The most wholesome diet is that, that is most sparing; and it is profitable for the body somewhat to deny the appetite, and abridge the stomach. Even so it is also for the soul; and no man shall ever be other then a dwarf and weakling in godliness, that will not be drawn to deny himself somewhat of his lawful liberty: for so slippery is our standing, so weak are our feet, that if we venture to do all we think lawful in these kinds, we shall surely do it unlawfully.

I say, the most honest and lawfull recreations in the world, so inordinately followed, without regard of the due end thereof, and without the practice of Christian moderation in them, is no lesse harmefull to the soule, then it is to the body to bee ouer-watched, or ouer-laboured. It dulleth the heart, it clogs the conscience, it stoppeth the mouth from praying, it interrupteth all good meditations, and by little and little doth steale away the hart from God and godlines; till at the length grosse sinnes and presumptuous, doe come in the neck of lawfull liberties abused. The same be spoken of the vse of daintie fare, and soft raiment, and all other naturall comforts, when the heart begins to bee ingaged to them; when we onely seeke our owne satisfaction in them; when we forget to demonstrate in our manner of vsing them, a deniall of the world, and a crucifying of our selues to the world, and the world to vs: then they