The Christian in Complete Armour

Secondly, from the Word go to meditation; this is as bellows to the fire; that grace which lies chosk't and eaten up for want of exercise, will by this be cleared and break forth; while thou art musing this fire will burn, and thy heart grow hot within thee, according to the nature of the subject thy thoughts dwell upon: resolve therefore (Christian) to enclose some time from all worldly Suitors, wherein thou mayest every day (if possible) at least take a view of the most remarkable occurrences that have past between God and thee; First, ask thy soul what takings it hath had that day, what mercies heaven hath sent into thee, and do not when thou hast asked the question, (like Pilate) go out; but stay till thy soul has made report of Gods gracious dealings to thee: and (if thou beest wise to observe, and faithful to relate them) thy conscience must tell thee, that the cock was never turned, the breast of mercy never put up all the day, yea, while thou art viewing these fresh mercies, telling over this new coin, hot out of the mint of Gods bounty, ancient mercies they will come crowding in upon thee, and call for a place in thy thoughts, and tell thee what God hath done for thee months and years ago, (and indeed old debts should not be paid last) give them (Christian) all a hearing one time or another, and thou shalt see how they will work upon thy ingenious spirit. It is with the Christian in this case, as with some Merchants servant that keeps his Masters cash, he tells his Master he hath a great sum of his by him, and desires he would discharge him of it, and see how his accounts stand, but he can never find him at leisure. There is a great treasure of mercy always in the Christians hands, and conscience is oft calling the Christian to take the account, and see what God has done for him, but seldom it is, he can find time to tell his mercies over; and is it any wonder that such should go behind-hand in their spiritual estate, who take no more notice what the gracious dealings of God are with them? how can he be thankful that seldom thinks what he receives? or patient when God afflicts, that wants one of the most powerful arguments to pacify a mutinous spirit in trouble, and that is taken from the abundant good we receive at the hands of the Lord as well as a little evil?

Secondly, from the Word go to meditation; this is as bellowes to the fire; that grace which lies chosk't and eaten up for want of exercise, will by this be cleared and break forth; while thou art musing this fire will burne, and thy heart grow hot within thee, according to the nature of the subject thy thoughts dwell upon: resolve therefore (Christian) to enclose some time from all worldly Suitours, wherein thou mayest every day (if possible) at least take a view of the most remarkable occurrences that have past between God and thee; First, ask thy soul what takings it hath had that day, what mercies heaven hath sent into thee, and do not when thou hast askt the question, (like Pilate) go out; but stay till thy soul has made report of Gods gracious dealings to thee: and (if thou beest wise to observe, and faithful to relate them) thy conscience must tell thee, that the cock was never turn'd, the breast of mercy never put up all the day, yea, while thou art viewing these fresh mercies, telling over this new coine, hot out of the mint of Gods bounty, ancient mercies they will come crowding in upon thee, and call for a place in thy thoughts, and tell thee what God hath done for thee moneths and years ago, (and indeed old debts should not be paid last) give them (Christian) all a hearing one time or another, and thou shalt see how they will work upon thy ingenious spirit. It is with the Christian in this case, as with some Merchants servant that keeps his Masters cash, he tells his Master he hath a great summe of his by him, and desires he would discharge him of it, and see how his accounts stand, but he can never finde him at leisure. There is a great treasure of mercy alwayes in the Christians hands, and conscience is oft calling the Christian to take the account, and see what God has done for him, but seldom it is, he can finde time to tell his mercies over; and is it any wonder that such should go behinde-hand in their spiritual estate, who take no more notice what the gracious dealings of God are with them? how can he be thankful that seldome thinks what he receives? or patient when God afflicts, that wants one of the most powerful arguments to pacifie a mutinous spirit in trouble, and that is taken from the abundant good we receive at the hands of the Lord as well as a little evil?