The divine life in three treatises

There is no man but must acknowledge, that the same truth doth at one time command his soul, which at another time seems of little force: It is a wonder to observe how differently the same consideration worketh with a man when he is awakened, and when he is in a secure stupid case!

Now this is his advantage that walks with God: He is much more frequently then others awakened, to a serious apprehension of the things which he understandeth: The thoughts of the presence of the most Holy God, will not suffer him to be as secure and senseless as others are, or as he is himself when he turneth aside from this Heavenly conversation. He hath in God such exceeding transcendent excellencies, such Greatness, such Goodness continually to behold, that it keepeth his soul in a much more serious lively state, than any other means could keep it in: so that when ever any truth or duty is presented to him, all his faculties are awake and ready to observe it and improve it. A Sermon, or a good book, or godly conference, or a mercy, when a man hath been with God in prayer or contemplation, will relish better with him, and sink much deeper, then at another time. Nay one serious thought of God himself, will do more to make a man truly and solidly wise, then all the reading and learning in the world, which shuts him out.

Now this is his advantage that walks with God: He is much more frequently then others awakened, to a serious apprehension of the things which he understandeth: The thoughts of the presence of the most Holy God, will not suffer him to be as secure and senseless as others are, or as he is himself when he turneth aside from this Heavenly conversation. He hath in God such exceeding transcendent excellencies, such Greatness, such Goodness continually to behold, that it keepeth his soul in a much more serious lively state, than any other means could keep it in: so that when ever any truth or duty is presented to him, all his saculties are awake and ready to observe it and improve it. A Sermon, or a good book, or godly conference, or a mercy, when a man hath been with God in prayer or contemplation, will relish better with him, and sink much deeper, then at another time. Nay one serious thought of God himself, will do more to make a man truly and solidly wise, then all the reading and learning in the world, which shuts him out.