The divine life in three treatises

7. So great is the weakness of our Habits, so many and great are the temptations to be overcome, so many difficulties are in our way, and the occasions so various for the exercise of each grace, that it behoveth a Christian to exercise as much thoughtfulness about his end and work, as hath any tendency to promote his work and to attain his end: But such a thoughtfulness as hindereth us in our work, by stopping, or distracting, or diverting us, is no way pleasing unto God. So excellent is our end, that we can never encourage and delight the mind too much in the forethoughts of it. So sluggish are our hearts, and so loose and unconstant are our apprehensions and resolutions, that we have need to be most frequently quickening them, and lifting at them, and renewing our desires, and suppressing the contrary desires, by the serious thoughts of God and Immortality. Our Thoughts are the bellows that must kindle the flames of Love, desire, hope and zeal: Our thoughts are the spur that must put on a sluggish tired heart. And so far as they conduce to any such works and ends as these, they are desirable and good. But what Master loveth to see his servant sit down and Think when he should be at work? Or to use his Thoughts only to grieve and vex himself for his faults, but not to mend them? to sit down lamenting that he is so bad and unprofitable a servant, when he should be up and doing his Masters business as well as he is able. Such Thoughts are sins as hinder us from duty, or discourage or unfit us for it, however they may go under a better name.

7. So great is the weakness of our Habits, so many and great are the temptations to be overcome, so many difficulties are in our way, and the occasions so various for the exercise of each grace, that it behoveth a Christian to exercise as much thoughtfulness about his end and work, as hath any tendency to promote his work and to attain his end: But such a thoughtfulness as hindereth us in our work, by stopping, or distracting, or diverting us, is no way pleasing unto God. So excellent is our end, that we can never encourage and delight the mind too much in the forethoughts of it. So sluggish are our hearts, and so loose and unconstant are our apprehensions and resolutions, that we have need to be most frequently quickening them, and lifting at them, and renewing our desires, and suppressing the contrary desires, by the serious thoughts of God and Immortality. Our Thoughts are the bellows that must kindle the flames of Love, desire, hope and zeal: Our thoughts are the spur that must put on a sluggish tired heart. And so far as they conduce to any such works and ends as these, they are desireable and good. But what Master loveth to see his servant sit down and Think when he should be at work? Or to use his Thoughts only to grieve and vex himself for his faults, but not to mend them? to sit down lamenting that he is so bad and unprofitable a servant, when he should be up and doing his Masters business as well as he is able. Such Thoughts are sins as hinder us from duty, or discourage or unfit us for it, however they may go under a better name.