Christ inviting sinners to come to him for rest

The 10. Burden of Legal Performances.

10. Those that perform duties in a mere legal way, their spirits are hurried on to do the work, to do the thing that conscience requires, although in regard of their weakness, the doing of such a thing, at such a time, will hinder the doing of other duties that God requires of them, but yet do it they must, I do not say duties are not to be done at this time, but such things as conscience tells them are good they are hurried on to do them presently, though in regard of their weakness the doing of them now doth hinder them from doing other things of more consequence: as we find by experience many that are weak, yet under the command of conscience and are in a legal way, suddenly there comes such a thing into their minds, I must spend so much time in prayer, saith conscience you cannot do too much for God, and why should you not spend so much time for God, now by this means they are hurried on to do the duty, though by the doing of it at that time, they shall hinder themselves in the performance of many other duties afterwards, and I have known by experience many that have been grievously burdened this way, what they presently apprehend to have any good in it, that they think they must do, although they by that be hindered in the performance of many other duties afterwards, whereas now if we were acquainted with the liberty we have in Christ we would be able to satisfy our selves this way, though I am weak now, yet I can appeal to God that my heart is upright, and though I do forbear the doing of such a thing that in its own nature is good, yet my conscience tells me, it is not through a wilful neglect of what may glorify God, nor because I would neglect any duty that God would have me do, but because I know through my weakness the doing ⟨p. 62⟩of this at this time will hinder me in the Service of God otherwaies: therefore I believe that God will accept of me in Christ and pardon my infirmities;

10. Those that performe duties in a meer legal way, their spirits are hurried on to do the work, to do the thing that conscience requires, although in regard of their weakness, the doing of such a thing, at such a time, wil hinder the doing of other duties that God requires of them, but yet do it they must, I do not say duties are not to be done at this time, but such things as conscience tels them are good they are hurried on to do them presently, though in regard of their weakness the doing of them now doth hinder them from doing other things of more consequence: as we find by experience many that are weake, yet under the command of conscience and are in a legal way, suddenly there comes such a thing into their minds, I must spend so much time in praier, saith conscience you cannot do too much for God, and why should you not spend so much time for God, now by this means they are hurried on to do the duty, though by the doing of it at that time, they shal hinder themselvs in the performance of many other duties afterwards, and I have known by experience many that have been greivously burdened this way, what they presently apprehend to have any good in it, that they think they must do, although they by that be hindred in the performance of many other duties afterwards, whereas now if we were acquainted with the liberty we have in Christ we would be able to satisfie our selves this way, though I am weake now, yet I can appeale to God that my heart is upright, and though I do forbeare the doing of such a thing that in its owne nature is good, yet my conscience tels me, it is not through a wilful neglect of what may glorifie God, nor because I would neglect any duty that God would have me do, but because I know through my weakness the doing