Moses his choice with his eye fixed upon Heaven, discovering the happy condition of…

Thirdly, those who do neither of these, they choose not to themselves the pleasures that are sin, nor the pleasures that come in by sin, but such pleasures, in the enjoyment of which they do sin, though the pleasures be in themselves lawful, they choose to let out ¹their hearts unto them, and spend the strength of their spirits on them; they think because there is no hurt in them in themselves, therefore they may give liberty to themselves; there is a great deal of mistake in this: we may sin exceedingly in things that are lawful; when men shall spend so much time (as ²many that are professors do) in giving themselves content in some sports and delights to the flesh, as they cut God short of his time; that time that should be spent in examining their hearts, humbling their souls, seeking the face of God, is spent in some slight, vain, idle sport.

1. 13.
2. 2Licitis perimus omnes.

Many are guilty of this, especially those that have means, and their callings do not require such a necessity of continual attendance: How is that time spent wherein you have liberty from your callings? Certainly, no good account can be given of that time, much might be gained to your souls in it, and much converse and communion you might have with God; and what ill choice do you make, when as many poor Christians would bless God, if they could have a little liberty from their callings? On the one side there is this liberty for you to enjoy communion with God, and furnish your souls with heavenly excellencies: On the other side, there is a little vain delight and carnal content, and ease to the flesh, and you rather choose this. It may be, though God hath helped you in the main, you chose right, yet be convinced this day of the evil of this particular choice, in giving such inordinate contentment to your selves, in giving that ease to your bodies, liberties to the sluggishness of your spirits, and reform. You have not honoured God as you ought, and therefore your lives are not so beautiful: In the general you continue in the ways of Religion, but there is not that convincing lustre and beauty in your lives; you do not draw others to that love of godliness, because your hearts become so vain, and so slight, in choosing inordinate liberties to your selves, in spending your times and strength in the pleasures of the flesh, and therefore when you come to spiritual employment, you have no strength, but your hearts are dead. I appeal to your consciences, when you have given your selves leave to have content to the flesh, when you come to communion with God, what dead flat hearts