The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

Fifthly, This frame will never be preserved, nor the Duties mentioned be ever performed in a due manner, unless we dedicate some part of our Time peculiarly unto them. I speak unto them only concerning whom I suppose that they do daily set apart some portion of Time unto holy duties, as Prayer and Reading of the Word, and they find by experience that it succeeds well with them. For the most part if they lose their Seasons, they lose their Duties. For some have complained, that the urgency of Business, and multiplicity of Occasions ⟨image 98⟩driving them at first from the fixed time of their Duties, hath brought them into a course of neglecting Duty it self. Wherefore it is our wisdom to set apart constantly some part of our time, unto the exercise of our thoughts about spiritual things in the way of Meditation. And I shall close this discourse with some Directions in this particular unto them who complain of their disability for the discharge of this duty.

(1.) Choose and separate a fit time or Season, a time of freedom from other Occasions and diversions. And because it is our duty to redeem time with respect unto holy Duties, such a season may be the more useful, the more the purchase of it stands us in. We are not at any Time to serve God with what costs us nought, nor with any Time that comes within the same Rule. If we will allow only the Refuse of our Time unto this duty, when we have nothing else to do, and it may be through weariness of Occasions are fit for nothing else, we are not to expect any great success in it. This is one pregnant reason why men are so cold and formal, so lifeless in spiritual duties, namely, the Times and Seasons which they allot unto them. When the Body is wearied with the labour and occasions of the day, and it may be the mind in its natural faculties indisposed, even by the means of necessary refreshment, men think themselves meet to Treat with God about the great concernments of his Glory, and their own Souls. This is that which God condemneth by the Prophet, Mal. 1.8. And if you offer the blind for Sacrifice is it not evil? and if you offer the lame and sick is it not evil? offer it now unto thy Governor will he be