The saints everlasting rest

2. I advise thee also, concerning thy time for this duty, that as it be stated, so it be frequent: just how oft it should be, I cannot determine, because men's conditions may vary it: but in general, that it be frequent, the scripture requireth, when it mentioneth meditating continually, and day and night. Circumstances of our condition, may much vary the circumstance of our duties. It may be one man's duty to hear or pray oftener than another, and so it may be in this of meditation: but for those that can conveniently ⟨p. 331⟩omit other business, I advise, that it be once a day at least. Though scripture tells us not how oft in a day we should eat or drink; yet prudence and experience will direct us twice or thrice a day.

Those that think they should not tie themselves to order and number of duties; but should then only meditate or pray, when they find the Spirit provoking them to it, go upon uncertain and unchristian grounds. I am sure, the scripture provokes us to frequency, and our necessity secondeth the voice of scripture; and if through my own neglect, or resisting the Spirit, I do not find it so excite me, I dare not therefore disobey the scripture, nor neglect the necessities of my own soul. I should suspect that spirit which would turn my soul from constancy in duty: if the Spirit in scripture bid me meditate or pray, I dare not forbear it, because I find not the spirit within me to second the command: if I find not incitation to duty before, yet I may find assistance while I wait in performance. I am afraid of laying my corruptions upon the Spirit, or blaming the want of the Spirit's assistance, when I should blame the backwardness of my own heart; nor dare I make one corruption a plea for another; nor urge the inward rebellion of my nature, as a reason for the outward disobedience of my life; and for the healing of my nature's backwardness, I more expect that the Spirit of Christ should do it in a way of duty, than in a way of disobedience and neglect of duty. Men that fall on duty according to the frame of their spirit only, are like our ignorant vulgar, who think their appetite should be the only rule of their eating; when a wise man judgeth by reason and experience, lest when his appetite is depraved, he should either surfeit or famish. Our appetite is no sure rule for our times of duty; but the word of GOD in general, and our spiritual reason, experience, necessity, and convenience in particular, may truly direct us.