Exercitations concerning the name, original, nature, use, and continuance of a day of sacred…

1. Duties in their performance drawn out unto such a length as to beget wearisomeness and satiety, tend not unto edification, nor do any way promote the Sanctification of the Name of God in the Worship it self. Regard therefore in all such performances is to be had, (1) Unto the weakness of the natural constitution of some, the Infirmities and Indispositions of others, who are not able to abide in the outward part of Duties, as others can. And there is no wise Shepherd, but will rather suffer the stronger sheep of his flock, to lose somewhat of what they might reach unto in his guidance of them, than to compel the weaker to keep pace with them to their hurt, and it may be their ruin. Better a great number should complain of the shortness of some Duties who have strength and desires for a longer continuance in them, than that a few who are sincere ⟨p. 451⟩should be really discouraged by being overburdened, and have the service thereby made useless unto them. I always loved in sacred Duties, that of Seneca concerning the Orations of Cassius Severus when they heard him; Timebamus ne desineret; we were afraid that he would end. (2) To the spiritual edge of the affections of men, which ought to be whetted, and not through tediousness in Duties abated and taken off. Other things of a like nature might be added, which for some considerations I shall forbear.

1. Duties in their performance drawn out unto such a length as to beget wearisomness and satiety, tend not unto edification, nor do any way promote the Sanctification of the Name of God in the Worship it self. Regard therefore in all such performances is to be had, (1) Unto the weakness of the natural constitution of some, the Infirmities and Indispositions of others, who are not able to abide in the outward part of Duties, as others can. And there is no wise Shepherd, but will rather suffer the stronger sheep of his flock, to lose somewhat of what they might reach unto in his guidance of them, than to compell the weaker to keep pace with them to their hurt, and it may be their ruine. Better a great number should complain of the shortness of some Duties who have strength and desires for a longer continuance in them, than that a few who are sincere ⟨p. 451⟩should be really discouraged by being overburdened, and have the service thereby made useless unto them. I alwayes loved in sacred Duties, that of Seneca concerning the Orations of Cassius Severus when they heard him; Timebamus ne desineret; we were afraid that he would end. (2) To the spiritual edge of the affections of men, which ought to be whetted, and not through tediousness in Duties abated and taken off. Other things of a like nature might be added, which for some considerations I shall forbear.