182 Generalldir.t'Oïorrf fir ,, ferviceablenefe oftheir followers, vifitants, adherents and dependants, to ferve their owne turnes, to feedetheir ha.. mours,further their privateends ofprofir,pleafure,rifing,le< putation,or tome other choifecarnali contentment andpre- dominant worldly delight. They have theirportion in this life, and their heaven here therefore they labour tomake theirearthlyParadikas-fullofpleafures,as poííibly they can. Their owne fenfüal-1covetousand ambitious hearts are the centers,wherin the linesand levell ofall their plots,policies, and proje&s doe:concurre, andmeete ; and towhich they conduaand dire& theotfcioufnefe, pliablenetíe, and feve- rail fervices ofall chafe withwhom theyhold, any kinde of correfpondence or entercourfe. 2. Such exercifes ofCourtly vanities, flecvelefl'èerrands idlebufinetfe,and Satans chiefeftand choyfeft feafons for the fuggeflionof temptations and too fuccetìefulldifcharge of his fierydarts, Hee bathordinarily more power over men, and is muchlikiier::to prevaile, when hee findes them idle or illoccupied ;. then when theyare buried ,withhumble- eífe and finceritie in religious duties, or theneceffarie workesofa lawful!calling. inour belt andbond/ irnploy meatsheels indeed molt eager againii us; but at times of idlenelk and exercifeof vanity, hee is commonly molt fucd ceffefull. In Gods bufinef es, thehone]]executions of our Calling,and feafonableChrittian recreations,weemayex. pea}upon good ground, andwith hopeful! comfort, Gods proteaion, the ordinary afiiflance of his blefl'ed Spirit; barmelefnelefromthe creatures;Satans refiraint;fome good meafureofmortifying helpe againfl the rebellious flirrings ofour ownecorruptions, and fuck other bleijings.promifed in filch cafes. gat ifmen will needs be idle or imployed in vanity, they juftly bereave themfelves ofall thefe comfor. table'prote&ions and priviledges. For it is jute with God, at fuch times that Hee fhould withdraw from them His ovine prote&inghand, reftraine;the gracious influences of that holySpirit,and let loofeag'ainfl themwithindignation, Satan,the ,.creatutes) and their ownç. corrpptions, which is a yery.. ,.
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