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`SEiiM,
GRAVITY,
DECEpCy,
&C.
393
words or hours
at that
day
;
and
it
is
the
judge
hianself
who tells
us so,
and
adds
his
amen
to
it.
It
is
proper
more especially for persons
that
are
of a
melancholy temper, or
that
have
perhaps
been over
-
whelmed
with
bodily
diseases,
or overloaded
with
some
sorrows, or cares,
or
businesses
of
life,
to
give
themselves
a
little
loose
or
diversion
now
and
then in delightful
con-
versation,
Or
other recreations and
exercises;
These
may
be
as
useful as a glass
of
wine to
refresh nature,
to
make
the
heart
glad,
and the spirits lightsome
;
for they
tend
to
fit
this
animal
body
of
ours for
better
service to the
soul
in
future duties that God
calls us to
:
And
so
long
'as
we
confine
our
recreations
to this design,
and keep
this
end
in
view,
our
words
of
pleasantry
in
private
conversation,
and
even
our recreations
and
diversions
that
are
More
public,
may be
agreeable
to
the mind and
will
of
God
;
for
it
is
his will,
that
our
whole
nature,
flesh
and
spirit,
should
be
kept
in
the fittest frame for duty. And some
natures
are
so
constituted,
that
they
will
hardly
be
kept
in
a temper
fit
for duty,
without
sonic
divertisements and
recreations. Where
this
therefore
is
the
end, these
prac-
tices
cannot be
called
idle,
that
is,
impertinent, and
to
no purpose:
But
where no
reasonable
design
is
pro-
posed,
sports
and
merriments are hardly
to be
defended,
for
all
rational
creatures
ought
tò
act
with
a
view
to
some
valuable end.
52.
Another regulation
which
ought
to be given to all
our
diversions,
is
this
;
we
shóuld narrowly
watch,
lest
he
time
of
our recreations intrude upon the
hours
and
3asons
of
business
or
of
religion.
There
is
a
time to
'ugh,
the
wise
man tells
us,
as
well as a
time to
labour or
I
pray;
but
laughter
must
be confined to
its
proper
lace
and
'proper
time,
and
not
intrench upon
the season
viere
affairs
of
bigger
importance,
and
matters
of
grave
ad
serious consequence should
be
transacted.
Conscience has something
to
do
in
matters
of
recrea-
tirl
as
well as in
our
religious
or
civil
affairs:
And
as
it
co.
never
be
lawful to
rob God
or our
families
of
th time that.
should
be
devoted
to
their
service, on
pur-
pe
to lay
it out
in
diversion,
so
neither
is
it
by
any
mens
proper
to
let
the
seasons
of
diversion come too
nez
the seasons
of
worship.
When
a
loose
is
given
to
allie natural
powers in
mirth and pleasure,
they
are
not
So
tsily
recollected
all
at
once for thé sacred
service
of
MIIIIIINr