A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties

§. Sect. 4 Constancy in this exercise.

The third thing respecting the time is, that as we must be constant in setting apart, & observing of some certain time of the day for the undertaking and beginning of this exercise; so much more in continuing our meditations the time appointed. Neither must it be performed by fits ⟨p. 555⟩and snatches, intermingling with them our worldly thoughts, or other business, sometime intermitting, and then again afresh setting upon them: For when the mind is thus distracted between things so opposite in nature, the one is an hindrance to the other, and like the dog that runneth or hunteth after two Hares at once, it catcheth neither. Besides, when our mind is let loose to wander after earthly things, it is not easily again composed and reduced into order; but we shall stand in need of a new preparation; and so be still beginning, and never bring any thing to perfection. And therefore when we have begun this exercise, we must constantly proceed (as near as we can) without distraction or intermission, for that whole space of time which we have allotted unto it; not breaking off our meditation, until we have brought it to some issue, and received by it some spiritual refection. Now what proportion of time is to be allotted to this exercise, we cannot prescribe any certain stint or limits, but must leave it to be measured out unto every one by his own devotion, which is not a like in all, nor in the same man at all times. Besides, there is great difference between one & another mans leisure in respect of variety of important occasions, pressing some, more then others, and every man more or less, at sundry times. Neither are we always a like fitted, but sometimes are more dull and dead to spiritual exercises, and sooner weary of them; sometimes more cheerful and heavenly-minded, and able to hold out in this spiritual race without breathing or intermission; at one time sooner prepared, and better able to perform, and at another, longer in working our backward hearts to this duty. Only this in general may be said, that our outward exercise must not in time exceed our inward abilities, nor the burden which we impose, our spiritual strength: Both because the Lord is only delighted with cheerful service, and cannot brook that which is dead and forced;