Besides, for a man to examine his own heart frequently and impartially, and to call himself to a strict account what he hath been and done in the World, and what is like to become of him, and to befall him for ever; for him to take the Looking-Glass of the Law of God, and therein to behold his Heart and Life, and having compared his practices with the Divine Precepts, which are exceeding broad, to accuse, and judge, and condemn, and loath, and abhor himself; for him to lay himself low before the Lord, and to acknowledge and confess with shame, and anger, ⟨p. 400⟩and grief, his filthiness and wickedness, and to beg Pardon & Grace, as earnestly as one that believes, if his requests be denied, his poor Soul is damned for ever. Friend, Friend, this is hard and painful work, and the idle man will not meddle. Once more, he that will be positively holy, must watch himself in all his ways, must watch for opportunities of Service to God; he must catch at them, and improve them, when he hath them put into his hand; he must stand always upon his guard, to defend himself against his enemies; and be as a Sparrow upon the house-top, to look about and consider where he may pick up any spiritual food for his Soul; he must design, and study, and contrive how he may spend his time, and parts, and strength, and estate to the best advantage of his Lord and Master; and think nothing too much, no pains, no labour, no not his blood for his Lord's Honour; and will a sluggard that lieth with his hands in his bosom do this, or any part of this? Ah Friend, the sleepy World dream of Happiness upon easy terms, as if they could walk to Heaven in a pleasant Meadow, or be ⟨p. 401⟩carried to Heaven in a Down-bed; but it must not be, it cannot be; Difficilia quae pulchra. Canst thou obtain any thing that is excellent, unless thou art diligent? Doth the Tradesman get an Estate, who is not industrious to look after his Customers, his Books, and whatsoever concerns his Calling? Can he who sits still in his Chimney-corner, and neither minds buying in, nor selling out; nor takes care how things are ordered in his Shop, ever expect to be rich? Reader, if ever thou wilt make any thing of it, there is a necessity of shaking off this slothfulness. I must tell thee, an idle person is the Devils Cushion, his own burden, unlike and loathsome to God, and a wem in the Body Politic where he lives.
Besides, for a man to examine his own heart frequently and impartially, and to call himself to a strict account what he hath been and done in the World, and what is like to become of him, and to befal him for ever; for him to take the Looking-Glass of the Law of God, and therein to behold his Heart and Life, and having compared his practices with the Divine Precepts, which are exceeding broad, to accuse, and judge, and condemn, and loath, and abhor himself; for him to lay himself low before the Lord, and to acknowledge and confess with shame, and anger, ⟨p. 400⟩and grief, his filthiness and wickedness, and to beg Pardon & Grace, as earnestly as one that believes, if his requests be denied, his poor Soul is damned for ever. Friend, Friend, this is hard and painful work, and the idle man will not meddle. Once more, he that will be positively holy, must watch himself in all his ways, must watch for opportunities of Service to God; he must catch at them, and improve them, when he hath them put into his hand; he must stand always upon his guard, to defend himself against his enemies; and be as a Sparrow upon the house-top, to look about and consider where he may pick up any spiritual food for his Soul; he must design, and study, and contrive how he may spend his time, and parts, and strength, and estate to the best advantage of his Lord and Master; and think nothing too much, no pains, no labour, no not his blood for his Lord's Honour; and will a sluggard that lieth with his hands in his bosom do this, or any part of this? Ah Friend, the sleepy World dream of Happiness upon easie terms, as if they could walk to Heaven in a pleasant Meadow, or be ⟨p. 401⟩carried to Heaven in a Down-bed; but it must not be, it cannot be; Difficilia quae pulchra. Canst thou obtain any thing that is excellent, unless thou art diligent? Doth the Tradesman get an Estate, who is not industrious to look after his Customers, his Books, and whatsoever concerns his Calling? Can he who sits still in his Chimney-corner, and neither minds buying in, nor selling out; nor takes care how things are order'd in his Shop, ever exspect to be rich? Reader, if ever thou wilt make any thing of it, there is a necessity of shaking off this slothfulness. I must tell thee, an idle person is the Devils Cushion, his own burden, unlike and loathsome to God, and a wem in the Body Politick where he lives.
