The second is for the measure and continuance of them, where this is a general and a firm direction; that it is not lawful for a man in an ord• nary course, to spend more time in any pastime, upon any day, than in religious exercises. I mean chiefly private religious exercises; I say, it is utterly unlawful to bestow a larger time any day upon the most lawful delight, than in private religious exercises, or at least in a customable course so to do. This is plainly proved by that which Christ speaks to ⟨p. 21⟩[…], saying, Mat. 6.33. First seek •he Kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof. You see here commanded to prefer the seeking of Hea•en, before any other thing whatsoever; •o let that have the chief place in our souls, and in our lives. Now he that first seeks the Kingdom of Heaven, cannot bestow more time in sports of any sort, than in those things which do directly make for the obtaining, of eternal life, and that righteousness which will bring one thereunto; such as are, hearing and reading the Word, praying, meditating, examining the heart, conferring, and the like. And surely this is a most equal thing, that the most needful duty should have the most time bestowed upon it. Yea, and it is a most easy rule to all sorts of men, that have seasoned their hearts with the true fear of God. For if a mans calling lye in bodily works, then the very •••rcises of Religion are a refreshing ⟨p. 22⟩to his body, in that he doth for the space while they continue, desist from his bodily labour, (and his calling affords sufficient stirring of the body for health;) so that if he be religiously minded, and have indeed set his delight on God, he may well give as much time to these actions, as to any carnal sports. But if any mans calling lye in study, or such like labour of the mind; first, the change is a great refreshing, and variety a delight; and then there be religious exercises, which will refresh the mind as well as any sports; and for so much exercise as health requires, it is not long in using, because nature is here, as in other matters, content with a little, howsoever men seek excuses by belying her: so that at the least, an equal portion of time must be allotted to God and Religion: as to sports and delights, even of Students, if they will first seek the Kingdom of God.
The second is for the measure and continuance of them, where this is a general and a firm direction; that it is not lawful for a man in an ord• nary course, to spend more time in any pastime, upon any day, than in religious exercises. I mean chiefly private religious exercises; I say, it is utterly unlawful to bestow a larger time any day upon the most lawful delight, than in private religious exercises, or at least in a customable course so to do. This is plainly proved by that which Christ speaks to ⟨p. 21⟩〈…〉, saying, Mat. 6.33. First seek •he Kingdom of God, and the righteousn•ss thereof. You see here commanded to prefer the seeking of Hea•en, before any oth•r thing whatsoever; •o let that have the chief place in our souls, and in our lives. Now he that first seeks the Kingdom of Heaven, cannot bestow more time in sports of any sort, than in those things which do directly make for the obtaining, of eternal life, and that righteousness which will bring one thereunto; such as are, hearing and reading the Word, praying, meditating, examining the heart, conferring, and the like. And surely this is a most equal thing, that the most needful duty should have the most time bestowed upon it. Yea, and it is a most easie rule to all sorts of men, that have seasoned their hearts with the true fear of God. For if a mans calling lye in bodily works, then the very •••rcises of Religion are a refreshing ⟨p. 22⟩to his body, in that he doth for the space while they continue, desist from his bodily labour, (and his calling affords sufficient stirring of the body for health;) so that if he be religiously minded, and have indeed set his delight on God, he may well give as much time to these actions, as to any carnal sports. But if any mans calling lye in study, or such like labour of the mind; first, the change is a great refreshing, and variety a delight; and then there be religious exercises, which will refresh the mind as well as any sports; and for so much exercise as health requires, it is not long in using, because nature is here, as in other matters, content with a little, howsoever men seek excuses by belying her: so that at the least, an equal portion of time must be allotted to God and Religion: as to sports and delights, even of Students, if they will first seek the Kingdom of God.
