How far Contemplation is mcVJary. fell receive, and tlx! good which his very example of a holy and heavenly life might do and his occafional cotmfcls, and precepts, and refolutions, to thofe who come to him for advice '~>e· drawn by tll€ ellimarion of his holy life ; in this cafe, it is lawful to give up ones fdf to' a cmg templativr tifi: :For that which maketh mofi to his own good and to others, is pafi doubt lawful andn~ . duty. Anna·iJeparted not from the Temple, but {trved God with f4!ing imd prayer night mrd day• !~~~~nr~ah:~ Luke 2· 36, 37· Wl~cther ~he meaning be, that lhe firid:ly kept the hours of prayer in th~ place, 2.nd (lo'1 Temple, and tbt: fafimg twtce. a Week, or frequemly, or whether lhe took up her habitation in , 7im. f· and the h~ufcs of lome of ~he Officers of the Temp!;, dfvoring her felf to the fervice of the Tern. enTu.'· pie ; It IS piam that either way lhe d1d fomerhmg befides praymg and failing : Even as the W1dows under the Gofpel who were alfo to continue in prayer and [upplicatim night and da 1 Tim. 5· 5• and yet were employed in the fervice of the Church, in ovcr-feeing the yo"ng/,' .an.d teaching them to. be ~ober, &c. Tit.1. 4• which is an atiive life. But however Anna's pra: GIICc be expounded, 1f thiS much that I have granted would plcafe the Mona!licks, we would not d1tfr:r wtth them. . ~eft. 4· ~· 4• Q!e!l. 4• Haw far att th•fe in an allive lift, 1o • ufe Contemplation? . liow b.~ con_~ AnjW. ~nh very great difference: 1. Accoi:ding to the difference of their Callings in the world ~~~!J;t~.~n xs an~ ~~e Offices_in which theyafC ordin~rily to ferve ~ad ; 2. And ac~ording to _the difference ofthei; 3!) ~bilmcs and fir~e_fs , for Conte~platJ.GH or_ for AOton: 3· Accordmg to the d11ference of their par, ucular opportumtJes: 4· Accordmg to the dsfferf'Jilce of the neccffities of others which may require their help. ').• And ot their awn nccrffities ofAllion or Contemplatian. Which I O~aR_more partiRule I• itule 2. Rule 3• R~t1<4• Ru/e5. r. Rule6. RuleS. cularly derumme m ccrtam Rules. · ?. 5· I· Every Chriftian mull ufc fo much contemplation as is necetTary to the Loving of God above all, and to the_worfhippingofhim in Spirit and in truth, and to a heavenly mind and converfa· tion, and to his due preparation for dcalh and judgement, and to lhe referring all his common works (0.. the glory and pleaiiilg of Goll,.that Holi•ef, to tlu Lord may be written upon all, and all that he bath may be fan6l:itie.d, or devoted with himftlf to God. 9· 6. 2· The calling of a Miniller of the Gofpel , is fo perfeGtly mixt of cant:mplation an4 allion, that (though Allion denominate it, .as bd.ng the End and Chief) yet he mull be excellent in both. If they be not exc::eiJent in contemplation, they will nqt be meet to fiand fo much nearer to God rhan the people do; and to fan6l:ilie him when they draw near him, and glorifie him be– fore all the people : nor will _rhey be tit for the opening of the_ heavenly myfteries, and working that on lhe peoples hearts which never was on the1r own. And If they be not Exctlient in an Atiivt lift, they will betray the peoples_fouls, and never go through that painful diligence, and preachin& m· feafon and out of feafon, pubhckly, and from houfe to hou!e, day and n1ght with tears, which Yaul commandeth th<m, All' 20. & Epift. Tim. 9· 7· 3· The work of a Magi!lrate, a Lawyer, a Phyficion, and fuch like, is principally in doing gaod in their feveral Callings, which mull not be negletl:ed for contemplation. Yet fo, that all thefe, and all others, mufi allow Godsfervice and holy thoughts, their due place in lhe beginning, and mid· die, and 1"11d of all their a6l:ions : As Magiftratcs muft read and meditate day and night in the W01d of God, ] ofh. I• 8, 10. So the'Eunuch, CarneliiH, &c. All' 8. & 10. §. 8. 4· Some perfons in the fame Calling, whofe Callings are not fo urgent on them, by any ne– ceUitit:s of themfclves or bthers, and who may have more vacant time, mufi gladly take it for the good ol their fouls, in the ufe ofcontemplation and other holy duties. And others that are un– der greater neceffities, urgcncies, obligations, or cannot be fpared from the fervice of others (as Phy· ficions, Lawyers, &c.) mufi be lcfs in contemplation, and prefer the greatefi good. §. 9· 5· p,.blic~ neceffitiet or fervicc may with fome be fo great as to difpenfe with all fecret du– ty both of prayer and contemplation ( eJ<Cept lhort mental ejaculations) for fome dayes together. So in Wars it oft falls out that nece!lity forbiddeth all fet or folemn holy fervice for many day<s togetber, (even on the Lords Day): So a Phyficion may fometime be tyed to fo c!ofe attendance on his Patients as will not allow him time for a fer prayer : fo fornctime a Preacher may be fo taken up in preaching , and exhorting , and refolving peoples weighty doubts , that they lhall fcarce have time for fecret duties, for fome dayes together : ( Though fuch happy impedi– ment; are rare:) In thefe cafes to do the ltfJer is m, when the greater is neg!e6l:ed. ~· Jo. 6. Servant!) who are not Maficrs oft r time-, mull be faithful in employing itro their Ma!lers fervice, and take none for holy duty from that part, which they lhould work in ; but ra– ther from their reft fo far as they are able; intermixing Meditations with their labours when they can : But redcemin~ fuch time as is allowed them, the more diligently, becaufe their opportunities are fo rare and lhort. ?. 11. 7• The Lords day ( excepting works of ncceiity) and fuch vacancies as hinder not other work (as when they travel on the way, or work, or wake in the night, &c.) are every mans own time, which he is not to alienate to anothers fervice, but to rcfervc and ufc for the fervice ofGod, and. for his foul, in holy duties. ?· 12· 8.Some perfons cannot bear much contemplation, efpecially Melancholy and weak·headed people ; And fuch mull ferve God fo much the more in other duties which they are able for ; and mu(\ not tire out and di!lract themfelves, with !lriving to do that which they arc not able to undergo. But others feel no inconvenience by it at all, a• I unfpcak by myown cxperieQce: my
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=