A treatise of delighting in God from Psal. xxxvij. 4. Delight thy self also…

and lovest to see thy Garden neat and flourishing, but lettest thy Spirit lye as a neglected thing, and as if it were not thine.

We are directed for the moderating of ⟨p. 207⟩our care in our earthly concernments, to consider the Lilies how they grow without their own toil, and are beautifully arrayed without their spinning; But we are taught by no such instances, to divert or remit our care of our inward man. To these concernments, let us then apply and bend our selves; That is, carefully to observe the first stirrings of our thoughts and desires; to animadvert upon our inclinations as soon as they can come in view, upon our designs in their very formation; and enquire concerning each, whence is it? from a good Principle or a bad? whither tends it? to good or hurt? will not this design, if prosecuted, prove an unjustifiable self-indulgence? Does it not tend to an unlawful gratifying of the flesh, and fulfilling some lusts thereof? If so, let it be lopped off our of hand, and the axe be laid even to the root: strike at it, favour it not: Think with thy self, this, if spared, will breed me sorrow; so much as I give to it, I take away from the comfort of my life; and spend of the stock of my spiritual delight in God; Shall I let sin, the tormentor of my Soul, live and be maintained at so costly a rate? If any good inclination discover it self, cherish it, confirm and strengthen it. Look up, and pray down a further quickening influence; Say with thy self, now that heavenly Spirit of Life and Grace begins to breath, More of this pleasant vital breath thou blessed and holy Spirit! Account this a Seed-time, Now the light and gladness are a sowing in thy soul (which are wont to be for the ⟨p. 208⟩righteous and upright in heart), and do promise ere long, a joyful Harvest.

We are directed for the moderating of ⟨p. 207⟩