Meditations and discourses concerning the glory of Christ applied unto unconverted sinners, and saints…Meditations and discourses concerning the glory of Christ applyed unto unconverted sinners, and saints…

TO keep up the Mind unto this frame, to stir up all Grace unto a constant vigorous Exercise in all Holy Duties, is a matter whereunto great Spiritual Diligence and Watchfulness is required: Watch unto Prayer. A thousand pretences rise against it; all the Arts of Sloth, Formality, weariness of the Flesh, and the business of Life, do contend to frustrate the design of it. And the suitableness of resting in the work done unto the Principles of a Natural Conscience, gives efficacy to them all: And when Men come to satisfy themselves herein, it may be it were better that for a time such Duties were wholly omitted; for in that case Conscience it self will urgently call on Men not hardened in Sin, to a consideration of their Condition: wherefore much Spiritual Labour and Diligence is required in this matter. The outward performance of Religious Duties, be they never so many, or however strictly enjoined, as the daily and nightly Canonical hours amongst the Popish Devotionists, is an easy task, much inferior unto the constant labour which ⟨p. 57⟩some Men use in their Trades and Callings. And in them, in the performance of them either public, or in their Families, men may be weary of God: And according as they are remiss in the constant keeping up of Spirituality, and the Exercise of Grace in sacred Duties, so is the Degree of their Weariness. And there is almost nothing whereby Men may take a safer Measure of their Decays, or Growth, than by the usual frame of their Minds in these Duties. If they do constantly in them stir up themselves to take hold of God, as Isa. 64. 7. it is an evidence of a good Temper of Spiritual Health in the Soul. But this will not be done without the utmost Watchfulness and Care against Impressions from the Flesh and other Temptations. But Sloth and Formality, herein, is a sign of a thriftless State in the inner man: And all Inventions of such Formality are disserviceable unto the Interest Grace.

TO keep up the Mind unto this frame, to stir up all Grace unto a constant vigorous Exercise in all Holy Duties, is a matter whereunto great Spiritual Diligence and Watchfulness is required: Watch unto Prayer. A thousand pretences rise against it; all the Arts of Sloth, Formality, weariness of the Flesh, and the business of Life, do contend to frustrate the design of it. And the suitableness of resting in the work done unto the Principles of a Natural Conscience, gives efficacy to them all: And when Men come to satisfie themselves herein, it may be it were better that for a time such Duties were wholly omitted; for in that case Conscience it self will urgently call on Men not hardened in Sin, to a consideration of their Condition: wherefore much Spiritual Labour and Diligence is required in this matter. The outward performance of Religious Duties, be they never so many, or however strictly enjoyned, as the daily and nightly Canonical hours amongst the Popish Devotionists, is an easie task, much inferiour unto the constant labour which