A Saint Indeed

Oh my Soul! leave trifling now, be composed, watchful, serious, this is no common work, 'tis God work, Soul work, Eternity work, I am now going forth bearing seed, which will bring forth fruit to life or death in the world to come pause a while upon thy sins, wants, troubles, ⟨p. 106⟩steep thy thoughts a while in these before thou address thy self to duty. David first mused, and then spake with his tongue, Psal. 39. 3, 4. So Psal. 45. 1▪ my heart is inditing, &c.

Oh my Soul! leave trifling now, be composed, watchful, serious, this is no common work, 'tis God work, Soul work, Eternity work, I am now going forth bearing seed, which will bring forth fruit to life or death in the world to come pause a while upon thy sins, wants, troubles, ⟨p. 106⟩steep thy thoughts a while in these before thou address thy self to duty. David first mused, and then spake with his tongue, Psal. 39. 3, 4. So Psal. 45. 1▪ my heart is enditing, &c.

2. Help. Having composed thy heart by previous meditation, presently set a guard upon thy senses; how often are poor Christians in danger of loosing the eyes of their mind by those of their body, for this Job covenanted with his senses, Chap. 31. 1. for this David prayed, Psal. 119. 37. turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, and quicken thou me in thy way: this may serve to exp•und that mystical Arabian proverb which advises to shut the windows, that the house may be light: 'twere excellent if you could say in your on-sets upon duty, as an holy one once did, when he came off from duty. Claudimini oculi mei claudimini, &c. be shut O my eyes be shut! for it is impossible you should ever see such beauty and glory in any Creature, as I have now seen in God. You had need avoid all occasions of distraction from without, for be sure you will meet enough from within, intention of spirit in the work of God locks up the eve and ear against vanity. When Marcellus entered the gates of Syracuse, Archimedes