The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

And it must be observed, which will be found to be true, that if the seasons which are as it were due unto such Meditations be taken from them, they will be the worst employed of all the Minutes of our lives. Vain and Foolish Thoughts, corrupt Imaginations, will ⟨p. 58⟩make a common haunt unto the minds of men in them, and habituate themselves unto an Expectation of Entertainment; whence they will grow Importunate for Admission. Hence, with many, those precious moments of time which might greatly influence their Souls unto Life and Peace if they were indeed Spiritually minded, make the greatest provision for their trouble, sorrow and confusion. For the vain and evil Thoughts which some persons do accustom themselves unto in such seasons, are or ought to be a Burden upon their Consciences more than they can bear. That which Providence tenders unto their good is turned into a snare; and God doth righteously leave them unto the fruits of their own folly, who so despise his gracious Provision for their good. If we cannot afford unto God our spare time, it is evident that indeed we can afford nothing at all. Micah 2.1. They devise iniquity upon their beds. The seasons proper for holy Contemplation, they make use of to fill their minds with wicked Imaginations, and when the Morning is light they practise it; walking all day on all occasions, suitably unto their Devices and Imaginations of the Night. Many will have cause to complain unto Eternity, of those leisure times which might have been improved for their advantage unto Eternal Blessedness.

And it must be observed, which will be found to be true, that if the seasons which are as it were due unto such Meditations be taken from them, they will be the worst employed of all the Minutes of our lives. Vain and Foolish Thoughts, corrupt Imaginations, will ⟨p. 58⟩make a common haunt unto the minds of men in them, and habituate themselves unto an Expectation of Entertainment; whence they will grow Importunate for Admission. Hence, with many, those precious moments of time which might greatly influence their Souls unto Life and Peace if they were indeed Spiritually minded, make the greatest provision for their trouble, sorrow and confusion. For the vain and evil Thoughts which some persons do accustome themselves unto in such seasons, are or ought to be a Burden upon their Consciences more than they can bear. That which Providence tenders unto their good is turned into a snare; and God doth righteously leave them unto the fruits of their own folly, who so despise his gracious Provision for their good. If we cannot afford unto God our spare time, it is evident that indeed we can afford nothing at all.