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. 2 That we must not undertake all employments which the world and flesh will press upon us.

§. Sect. 2 That we must not vndertake all imployments which the world and flesh wil presse vpon vs.

Finally, let us know, that if we will undertake all such employments as the world and the flesh will impose upon us, they will play the cruel Pharaohs, and oppress our souls with a much more cruel servitude then that of Egypt. For if we do but make mention of surceasing our labours for a while, that we may have some time to perform that service unto God which he requireth, imputing this unto us as some idle and lazy humour, they will redouble our already too toilsome task, and press such devout purposes out of us with their heavy burdens, and rather then we should want employment, to keep us from serving God, they will cause us to tire our selves, night and day, in gathering straw, that is, about idle vanities which will not profit, to be afterwards spent to as little purpose, namely, that upon the foundation of riches thus scraped together, we may erect Pyramids and Towers threatening the skies, and mansion houses and stately buildings, to continue our names unto posterity. Yea in truth, there is not in the whole world such a terrible bondage to the body under the most tyrannous Lords, as this is to the soul, which the flesh and the world impose upon it. For in them it is lawful for the slave at some time to find leisure for rest and sleep, for eating and drinking, that being refreshed, he may again return to his task; whereas these more cruel tyrants wear out those souls which are imbondaged by them with toilsome labours, and yet will allow them no time for their spiritual repast, nor to refresh themselves and repair their strength, by resting from their labours upon the Lords Sabbaths, or by feeding upon the Manna of the Word, in hearing, reading, and meditation, and by sequestring themselves from earthly business, that they may by prayer and invocation, solace themselves in that sweet communion which they have with God in this holy exercise. But if we would have our souls to thrive in spiritual grace and strength, we must shake off the yoke of this tyranny, and never be so wholly intent to advance our worldly estate, as to neglect the taking of our souls repast in religious exercises, according to the counsel of Hierome to a virtuous Matron: So (saith he) take care of thine house, as that thou do always allow