The divine life in three treatises

5. If God be with me, I am not alone, because he is with me with whom my greatest business lieth: And what company should I desire, but theirs with whom I have my daily necessary work to do? I have more to do with God, than with all the world: Yea more and greater business with him in one day, than with all the world in all my life. I have business with man about house, or lands, or food, or raiment, or labour, or journeying, or recreations, about society and public peace: But what are these to my business with God! Indeed w••h holy men I have holy business; but that is but as they are Messengers from God, and come to me on his business, and so they must be dearly welcome: But even then my business is much more with God then with them; with him that sent them, then with the Messenger. Indeed my business with God is so great, that if I had not a Mediator to encourage and assist me, to do my work and procure me acceptance, the thoughts of it would overwhelm my soul.

5. If God be with me, I am not alone, because he is with me with whom my greatest business lyeth: And what company should I desire, but theirs with whom I have my daily necessary work to do? I have more to do with God, than with all the world: Yea more and greater business with him in one day, than with all the world in all my life. I have business with man about house, or lands, or food, or rayment, or labour, or journying, or recreations, about society and publick peace: But what are these to my business with God! Indeed w••h holy men I have holy business; but that is but as they are M•ssengers from God, and come to me on his business, and so they must be dearly welcome: But even then my business is much more with God then with them; with him that sent them, then with the Messenger. Indeed my business with God is so great, that if I had not a Mediatour to encourage and assist me, to do my work and procure me acceptance, the thoughts of it would overwhelm my soul.

O therefore my soul, let man stand by: It is the Eternal God that I have to do with: and with whom I am to transact in this little time the business of my endless life. I have to deal with God through Christ, for the pardon of my sins, of all my great and grievous sins; and woe to me if I speed not that ever I was born: I have some hopes of pardon, but intermixed with many perplexing fears: I have evidences much blotted, and not easily understood: I want assurance that he is indeed my Father and reconciled to me, and will receive me to himself when the world forsaketh me: I have many languishing graces to be strengthened; and alas, what radicated, obstinate, vexatious corruptions to be cued! Can I look into my heart, into such an unbelieving, dead, and earthly heart, into such a proud, and peevish and disordered heart, into such a trembling, perplexed, self-accusing heart, and yet not understand how great my business is with God! Can I peruse my sins, or feel my wants, and sink under my weaknesses, and yet not discern how great my business is with God! Can I look back upon all the time that I have lost, and all the grace that I unthankfully resisted, and all the mercies that I trod under foot,