DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3689#0063
a Devout and Holy Life. 61
If this woman would make fewer visits, or That not be always
talking, they would neither of them find it half so hard to be
affected with Religion.
For all these things are only little, when they are compared
to great sins; and though they are little in that respect, yet they
are great, as they are impediments and hindrances of a pious spirit.
For as consideration is the only eye of the soul, as the truths
of Religion can be seen by nothing else, so whatever raises a
levity of mind, a trifling spirit,_ renders the soul incapable of
seeing, apprehending, and relishing the doctrines of piety.
Would we therefore make a real progress in Religion, we must
not only abhor gross and notorious sins, but we must regulate
the innocent and lawful parts of our behaviour, and put the most
common and allowed actions of life, under the rules of discretion
and piety.
Chapter VIII.
How the wise and pious use of an Estate^
naturally carrieth us to great perfection in
all the virtues of the Christian Life ; repre-
sented in the character of Miranda.
ANY one pious regularity of any one part of our life, is of
great advantage, not only on its own account, but as
it uses us to live by rule, and think of the government
of ourselves.
A man of business, that has brought one part of his
affairs under certain rules, is in a fair way to take the same care
of the rest.
So he that has brought any one part of his life under the rules
of religion, may thence be taught to extend the same order and
regularity into other parts of his life.
If anyone is so wise as to think his time too precious to be
disposed of by chance, and left to be devoured by anything that
happens in his way: If he lays himself under a necessity of
observing how every day goes through his hands, and obliges
himself to a certain order of time in his business, his retirements,
and devotions, it is hardly to be imagined, how soon such a
conduct would reform, improve, and perfect the whole course of
his life.
If this woman would make fewer visits, or That not be always
talking, they would neither of them find it half so hard to be
affected with Religion.
For all these things are only little, when they are compared
to great sins; and though they are little in that respect, yet they
are great, as they are impediments and hindrances of a pious spirit.
For as consideration is the only eye of the soul, as the truths
of Religion can be seen by nothing else, so whatever raises a
levity of mind, a trifling spirit,_ renders the soul incapable of
seeing, apprehending, and relishing the doctrines of piety.
Would we therefore make a real progress in Religion, we must
not only abhor gross and notorious sins, but we must regulate
the innocent and lawful parts of our behaviour, and put the most
common and allowed actions of life, under the rules of discretion
and piety.
Chapter VIII.
How the wise and pious use of an Estate^
naturally carrieth us to great perfection in
all the virtues of the Christian Life ; repre-
sented in the character of Miranda.
ANY one pious regularity of any one part of our life, is of
great advantage, not only on its own account, but as
it uses us to live by rule, and think of the government
of ourselves.
A man of business, that has brought one part of his
affairs under certain rules, is in a fair way to take the same care
of the rest.
So he that has brought any one part of his life under the rules
of religion, may thence be taught to extend the same order and
regularity into other parts of his life.
If anyone is so wise as to think his time too precious to be
disposed of by chance, and left to be devoured by anything that
happens in his way: If he lays himself under a necessity of
observing how every day goes through his hands, and obliges
himself to a certain order of time in his business, his retirements,
and devotions, it is hardly to be imagined, how soon such a
conduct would reform, improve, and perfect the whole course of
his life.