Concerning the time of this set and solemn meditation, divers things are to be observed. First, it must not be perpetual and continual; for howsoever the other kind of meditation, which is sudden, short and occasional, may be at times performed when we have any opportunity; yet this serious and solemn kind cannot be so, in regard of our weakness which cannot bear it and endure the labour, and in respect of other duties which we are bound to perform as well as this, both religious and ⟨p. 553⟩civill, and must be all done in their due and seasonable time. In which regard it is to be esteemed so far off from a state of Angelical perfection, which is wholly taken up with contemplation, that it cannot be excused nor wiped from the blemish of deserved blame, because many other duties as necessary in their due time and place, are utterly omitted and neglected. Besides, the object of this exercise being spiritual, divine and supernatural, is far too excellent for the weak sight of our minds to be always gazing on, or if it should, it would soon be dazzled and dulled, yea distracted and quite lost; like the bodily eyes with beholding the Sun in his full brightness. Yea, as this exercise must not be continual, so neither should it be over-common: the which as it causeth weariness and satiety, they loathing, and this remissness and slack performance, which faileth as much in the manner, zeal and devotion, as it exceedeth in time and number; so doth it by assiduity lose in our judgement that esteem, and in our hearts that awful reverence, and fervour of affection which is due unto it; and so becometh cold and formal, heartless, and useless; like physic, which being ordinarily taken, becometh familiar to nature, and so worketh not any extraordinary effect. Neither can the most men be often exercised in this duty in a set and solemn manner, unless they cause other necessary duties of Christianity, and of their callings, to give way unto it with great loss and inconvenience. In which respect, great difference is to be made between the rich and wealthy who have much spare time, and poor men who live by their daily labour, and have little time to spare for the performance of many religious duties no less necessary. And amongst those who have worldly necessaries without bodily toil;
Concerning the time of this set and solemne meditation, diuers things are to be obserued. First, it must not be perpetuall and continuall; for howsoeuer the other kind of meditation, which is sudden, short and occasionall, may be at times performed when we haue any opportunity; yet this serious and solemne kind cannot be so, in regard of our weaknes which cannot beare it and indure the labour, and in respect of other duties which wee are bound to performe as well as this, both religious and ⟨p. 553⟩ciuill, and must be all done in their due and seasonable time. In which regard it is to be esteemed so farre off from a state of Angelical perfection, which is wholly taken vp with contemplation, that it cannot bee excused nor wiped from the blemish of deserued blame, because many other duties as necessary in their due time and place, are vtterly omitted and neglected. Besides, the obiect of this exercise being spirituall, diuine and supernaturall, is farre too excellent for the weake sight of our minds to be alwayes gazing on, or if it should, it would soone bee dazeled and dulled, yea distracted and quite lost; like the bodily eyes with beholding the Sunne in his full brightnesse. Yea, as this exercise must not bee continuall, so neither should it be ouer-common: the which as it causeth wearinesse and satiety, they lothing, and this remissenesse and slacke performance, which faileth as much in the manner, zeale and deuotion, as it exceedeth in time and number; so doth it by assiduity lose in our iudgement that esteeme, and in our hearts that awfull reuerence, and feruor of affection which is due vnto it; and so becommeth cold and formall, heartlesse, and vselesse; like physicke, which being ordinarily taken, becommeth familiar to nature, and so worketh not any extraordinary effect. Neither can the most men be often exercised in this duty in a set and solemne manner, vnlesse they cause other necessary duties of Christianity, and of their callings, to giue way vnto it with great losse and inconuenience. In which respect, great difference is to be made between the rich and wealthy who haue much spare time, and poore men who liue by their daily labour, and haue little time to spare for the performance of many religious duties no lesse necessary. And amongst those who haue worldly necessaries without bodily toyle;
