Some select cases resolved. Specially, tending to the right ordering of the heart, that…

I answer, Entertain those thoughts as, it may be, you have done some friends, who came to you at that time you had business with strangers, whom you love not so well as your friends; you have desired them to stay a ⟨p. 9⟩while, until you have done with the other, and then you have returned to your friends, and when the other hath been shut out of the doors, the other hath had the welcome, and hath lodged with you all night; and thus you have grieved neither, but pleased both. It is so in this case, Worldly employments are our strangers, yet they must be spoke with: Religious thoughts and practices are our friends, these come unto us while God calls us to parley with the other, you cannot speak with both at one time, in one place, without much perplexity: take therefore this course, make much of the good thoughts, but parley not with them till your business is done with strangers; and towards evening, which is your season, set some time apart every day for meditation, and then make them welcome; then consider and ponder well what was suggested to you in the day time, and sift every good thought to the bran, for then is your season, and after that let them sup and lodge with you all night, and keep the house with you every day. And surely when the Lord Jesus shall see what a friend you shall make of his Spirit thus, and how wisely you walk therein, you shall not need to fear any grieving of it, at unseasonable times: nay (I say) you will most fearfully grieve his Spirit, if you parley with the conceived suggestions of it at unseasonable times. What thou dost, do it with all thine heart, saith Solomon. Eccles. 9.

I answer, Entertain those thoughts as, it may be, you have done some friends, who came to you at that time you had business with strangers, whom you love not so well as your friends; you have desired them to stay a ⟨p. 9⟩while, until you have done with the other, and then you have returned to your friends, and when the other hath been shut out of the doors, the other hath had the welcome, and hath lodged with you all night; and thus you have grieved neither, but pleased both. It is so in this case, Worldly employments are our strangers, yet they must be spoke with: Religious thoughts and practices are our friends, these come unto us while God calls us to parley with the other, you cannot speak with both at one time, in one place, without much perlexity: take therefore this course, make much of the good thoughts, but parley not with them till your business is done with strangers; and towards evening, which is your season, set some time apart every day for meditation, and then make them welcome; then consider and ponder well what was suggested to you in the day time, and sift every good thought to the bran, for then is your season, and after that let them sup and lodge with you all night, and keep the house with you every day. And surely when the Lord Jesus shall see what a friend you shall make of his Spirit thus, and how wisely you walk therein, you shall not need to fear any grieving of it, at unseasonable times: nay (I say) you will most fearfully grieve his Spirit, if you parley with the conceived suggestions of it at unseasonable times. What thou dost, do it with all thine heart, saith Solomon.