It will not suffice to consider these things once and again,
nor to form some resolutions of abandoning our sins, unless we maintain
a constant guard, and be continually watching against them. Sometimes the mind is
awakened to see the dismal consequences of a vicious life, and straight
we are resolved to reform; but, alas! it presently falleth asleep,
and we lose that prospect which we had of things, and then temptations
take the advantage; they solicit and importune us continually, and so
do frequently engage our consent before we are aware. It is the folly
and ruin of most people to live at adventure, and take part in every
thing that comes in their way, seldom considering what they are about
to say or do.
If we would have our resolutions take effect, we must
take heed unto our ways, and set a watch before the door of our lips,
and examine the motions that arise in our hearts, and cause them to tell
us whence they come, and whither they go; whether it be pride or passion,
or any corrupt and vicious humour, that prompteth us to any design, and
whether God will be offended or any body harmed by it.
And if we have
no time for long reasonings, let us at least turn our eyes toward God,
and place ourselves in his presence, to ask his leave and approbation
for what we do. Let us consider ourselves under the all-seeing eye of
that divine Majesty, as in the midst of an infinite globe of light, which
compasseth us about both behind and before, and pierceth to the innermost
corners of the soul.
The sense and remembrance of the divine presence is
the most ready and effectual means, both to discover what is unlawful,
and to restrain us from it. There are some things a person could make a
shift to pelliate or defend, and yet he dares not look Almighty God in the
face, and adventure upon them.
If we look unto him we shall be lightened; if we “set him always before us, he will guide us by his eye,
and instruct us in the way wherein we ought to walk.”
- Henry Scougal (The Life of God in the Soul of Man, Part 3)
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