A Christian Directory

It makes men apt to quarrel with the word, and every weakness in the Minister offendeth them, as sick stomachs that have some fault or other still to find with their meat. 8. It greatly inclineth men to carnal and forbidden pleasures, because they taste not the higher and more excellent delights. Taverns▪ and Ale houses, Plays, and Whores, Cards and Dice, and excess of recreation must be sought out for them, as Saul sought a Witch and a Musician instead of God. It would be the most effectual Answer to all the silly reasonings¹ of the Voluptuous, when they are pleading for the lawfulness of their unnecessary, foolish, time-wasting sports, if we could but help them to the Heavenly nature, and Hearts that more delight in God. This better pleasure is an Argument that would do more to confute and banish their sinful pleasure, than a twelve-months disputing or preaching will do with them; while they are strangers to the souls Delight in God. Then they would rather say to their companions; O come and taste those high delights, which we have found in God! 9. The want of a Delight in God and Holiness, doth leave the soul as a prey to sorrows: Every affliction that assaulteth it may do its worst, and hath its full blow at the naked unfortified heart: For creature delights will prove but a poor preservative to it. 10. This want of a Delight in God and Holiness, is the way to Apostasy it self. Few men will hold on in a way that they have no delight in, when all other delights must be forsaken for it. The caged Hypocrite while he is cooped up to a stricter life than he himself desires, even while he seemeth to serve him, is loathsome to God: For the Body without the Will is but a carcass or carrion in his eyes: If you had rather not serve God, you do not serve him while you seem to serve him: If you had rather live in sin, you do live in sin, reputatively, while you forbear the outward act: For in Gods account the Heart, or Will is the man; and what a man had rather be (habitually) that he is indeed. And yet this Hypocrite will be still looking for a hole to get out of his cage, and forsake his unbeloved outside of Religion: Like a beast that is driven in a way that he is loth to go, and will be turning out at every gap. All these mischiefs follow the want of Delight in God.

It makes men apt to quarrel with the word, and every weakness in the Minister offendeth them, as sick stomachs that have some fault or other still to find with their meat. 8. It greatly enclineth men to carnal and fobidden pleasures, because they tast not the higher and more excellent delights. Taverns and Ale houses, Plays, and Whores, Cards and Dice, and excess of recreation must be sought out for them, as Saul sought a Witch and a Musician instead of God. It would be the most effectual Answer to all the silly reasonings