Divers practical cases of conscience satisfactorily resolved ... to which are added some counsels…

Distinct. This weariness and unwillingness must be distinguished, 1. According to the degrees of it, and so it is either partial and gradual, or else prevalent and plenary. 2. According to the subject of it: and so this weariness is either of the Members, or else of the mind: 3. According to the prevalency of it, and so it is either transient and occasional, or else settled and habitual. 4. According to the sense we have of it, and so it is either matter of Allowance to us, or matter of annoyance. 5. According to the cause of it, and so it is either from a fixed dislike of the food, or else from an Accidental distemper of the stomach. 6. According to the effects of it: for either it is victorious and makes us give over duties, or else abhorred and repulsed by grace, the Christian still holding on in the way of Duty.

Distinct. This weariness and unwillingness must be distinguished, 1. According to the degrees of it, and so it is either partial and gradual, or else prevalent and plenary. 2. According to the subject of it: and so this weariness is either of the Members, or else of the mind: 3. According to the prevalency of it, and so it is either transient and occasional, or else setled and habitual. 4. According to the sense we have of it, and so it is either matter of Allowance to us, or matter of annoyance. 5. According to the cause of it, and so it is either from a fixed dislike of the food, or else from an Accidental distemper of the stomach. 6. According to the effects of it: for either it is victorious and makes us give over duties, or else abhorred and repulsed by grace, the Christian still holding on in the way of Duty.

Conclu. 1. Where the weariness is only in the Members (or at least chiefly) but there is still a willingness of the mind, this is no matter of questioning our Estates: where the mind out-goes and out-does ⟨p. 62⟩the body, and the appetite to duties continues in vigour, though there be a languishing of the natural strength, and weariness of the bodily organs, this is not our sin but affliction. But too commonly the body hath so much influence upon the mind, and causeth a listlessness and sluggishness there, and makes it negligent in its office: Yet when this doth proceed from the failing of the spirits tired with bodily labour and exercise, and from the distemper of the parts, our most pitiful Father considers our frame, and remembers we are but dust: and our merciful High Priest that is not untouched with the sense of our infirmities is ready to frame our excuse, that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.