212 OP SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. Fifthly. This frame will never be preserved, nor the duties mentioned be ever performed in a due manner, unless we dedicate some part of our time peculiarly to them. I speak to them only concerning whom I sup- pose that they do daily set apart some portion of time to holy duties, as prayer and reading of the word, and they find, by experience, that it succeeds well with theme For the most part, if they lose their seasons, they lose their duties. For some have complained, that the urgency of business, andmultiplicity of occa- sions, driving them at first from the fixed time of their duties, hath brought them into a course of neglecting duty itself. Wherefore, it is our wisdom to set apart constantly some part of our time to the exercise of our thoughts about spiritual things in the way of -meditation. And I shall close this discourse with some directions in this particular, to them who com- plain of their disability for the discharge of this dutÿ. (L) Choose and separate a fit time or season, a time of freedom from other occasions and diversions. And because it is our duty to redeem time with respect to holy duties, such a season may be the more useful, the more the purchase of it stands us in. We are not at any time to serve God with what costs us nought, nor with any time that comes within the same rule. If we will allow only the refuse of our time to this duty, when we have nothing else to do, and it may be, through weariness of occasions, are fit for nothing else, we are not to expect any great success in it. This is one pregnant reasonwhy men are so cold and formal, so lifeless in spiritual duties, namely, the times and seasons which they allot to them. When the ilody is wearied with the labors and occasions of the day, and it may be, the mind in its natural faculties indiiposed,
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