Page:A Treatise of the Covenant of Grace (John Ball).djvu/201

 Rh might become usefull and serviceable for thee, in the great and important businesse of Salvation, be sure to call it often to account. It will be good to reckon with it once a day, to see what hath passed it, to examine what thoughts have been framed in it, what purposes, what intents, what acts have been done, as effects and fruits of these inward purposes: surely this tying of thy selfe to such an often survey, and looking back upon thy heart, will keepe it in so much the more awe; and when it is once accustomed to the sweetnesse which will be felt, when it can give account of care and of obedience, and to the smart and punishment which followeth the remembrance of failing in holy duties, it cannot but be kept in so much the better tune.

And to finde out the better the guile of our spirit, and crookednesse of affection, First consider what ignorance, vanitie, folly, infidelity doth still remaine in the mind, what stubbornnesse in the will, benummednesse in the conscience, disorder in the affections: how apt we are to undervalue the true treasure, loose our selves in base delights, abuse things lawfull in excesse: how lavish and rash in our speeches, dull and drosse in holy performances, pettish and impatient if a little crossed, &c.

Secondly, Consider how carelesse we are of the spirituall action, in those things we performe, as in prayer, hearing the word, receiving the Sacraments, giving almes, &c. To the spiritual, performance of these and such like duties is required a preparation and heavenly disposition of soule befitting such actions, and the Majestie of God with whom we have to deale; as in confession of sinne is required griefe, shame, humility: in supplication reverence, devotion, spirituall emptinesse, whereby the heart is taken off the creature, and driven out of our selves. But who doth not lightly passe over these duties? which is no better then the wiping of the out-side of the dish, not looking to that within. Doe we not rush upon prayer without premeditation, give our hearts liberty to rove about, forgetting with whom we have to doe? are we not perfunctory in craving Gods blessing upon our meate at ordinary meales, and in giving thankes when we are refreshed? &c.

Thirdly, Marke that in resistance of sinne, we are more sorrie, and deale more against this or that branch of Corruption, which appeareth to our disgrace, then against the body of death it selfe;