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

Seventhly, we must take care that in our recreations we forget not God, and that they do not steal our hearts from him unto worldly vanities, ¹lest by degrees we dote so much upon them, that we come under that censure of the Apostle; of being lovers of pleasures, more then lovers of God; and grow like those Israelites, against whom the Prophet denounced a fearful woe; who spent the day in quaffing and carousing, and had the Harp and the Viol, the Tabret and the Pipe, and wine at their feasts, but regarded not the work of the Lord, neither considered the operation of his hands. ²Which if we would avoid, we must often take occasion from our pleasures to think of the Author of them; and be ashamed that an Heathen Poet should be more forward in the fruition of his peace and pleasure, to acknowledge Augustus as his God that sent them; then we to remember ³and acknowledge the bounty and goodness of our gracious Lord, who hath multiplied his blessings upon us, not only serving for necessity, but also for pleasure and delight. Secondly, if we would not forget God in our sports and recreations, nor have our hearts drawn away from him; we must sanctify them to our use by the Word and prayer. Thinking before we undertake any, if it be agreeable with Gods will revealed in the Scriptures, or at least of an indifferent nature, and not forbidden. And