so neither are we to remember, that we may remember only, or to brag of our memory, that others may wonder to see what a strong and retentive memory we have, but that thereby we may be more promoted, and advanced in heavenly things: Let all such tremble under this consideration, who have very quick and sure memories about the Scripture and the Sermons they hear, yet are very ungodly in their lives, and walk in a contrary way to all that they do remember. This argueth thy memory is not a sanctified memory, that it carrieth not on the work of grace in thee; for which end only it ought to be employed. It is observed that two sorts of men need a good memory; First, The liar, Oportet mendacem esse memorem, now every professing Christian living wickedly, is a liar, for with words he acknowledgeth him, but in works he denieth him; insomuch that thou who lyest thus to God, shouldst remember thy professions and obligations, the second sort is, of greatest accountants, such who have great sums to cast up, and to be accountable for, these also had need of great memories, and such is every man: Oh the vast and numberless particulars of which he is one day to give an account to God! Oh what a proficient in holiness might thou have been, if all the good things thou rememberest were in a practical manner improved, if thou couldst give a good account to God of thy memory, for that you are to do, as well as of the improvement of other parts of the soul! As God at the day of judgement will have an account of every talent he hath given thee, of thy understanding, of thy will, how these have been employed, so likewise of thy memory; What is that good, that holiness, thy memory hath put thee upon? and this also you who are young ones and servants, living in godly Families, are diligently to attend to, for you think this is enough, if you can remember a Sermon, or Catechistical heads, so as to give an account to your Governors; if you can satisfy them, you think this is enough, but thou art greatly deceived, ⟨p. 265⟩for therefore art thou to remember, that thou mayest do accordingly, Thou art never to forget this or that truth, that so it may be ready at hand to direct thee in all thy ways: and this is indeed a divine act of memory.
so neither are we to remember, that we may remember only, or to brag of our memory, that others may wonder to see what a strong and retentive memory we have, but that thereby we may be more promoted, and advanced in heavenly things: Let all such tremble under this consideration, who have very quick and sure memories about the Scripture and the Sermons they hear, yet are very ungodly in their lives, and walk in a contrary way to all that they do remember. This argueth thy memory is not a sanctified memory, that it carrieth not on the work of grace in thee; for which end only it ought to be imployed. It is observed that two sorts of men need a good memory; First, The lyar, Oportet mendacem esse memorem, now every professing Christian living wickedly, is a lyar, for with words he acknowledgeth him, butin workes he denieth him; insomuch that thou who lyest thus to God, shouldst remember thy professions and obligations, the second sort is, of greatest accomptants, such who have great summes to cast up, and to be accountable for, these also had need of great memories, and such is every man: Oh the vast and numberless particulars of which he is one day to give an account to God! Oh what a proficient in holiness might thou have been, if all the good things thou remembrest were in a practical manner improved, if thou couldst give a good account to God of thy memory, for that you are to do, as well as of the improvement of other parts of the soul! As God at the day of judgement will have an account of every talent he hath given thee, of thy understanding, of thy will, how these have been employed, so likewise of thy memory; What is that good, that holiness, thy memory hath put thee upon? and this also you who are young ones and servants, living in godly Families, are diligently to attend to, for you think this is enough, if you can remember a Sermon, or Catechistical heads, so as to give an account to your Governors; if you can satisfie them, you think this is enough, but thou art greatly deceived, ⟨p. 265⟩for therefore art thou to remember, that thou maist do accordingly, Thou art never to forget this or that truth, that so it may be ready at hand to direct thee in all thy wayes: and this is indeed a divine act of memory.
