Idleness, and be sure alwayes to be well employed. I may give an
idle {29} man that character one [34]gives of _Themistocles_ when out of
imployment, _That he will be luxurious, dissolute, lustful, and
intemperate_. Mans heart is a Mill ever grinding some grist or other; and I
may add, If there be no grain for it to work upon, it sets itself on fire
with lust. Let us consider, that whilest we are idle, and not imployed, we
can expect no assistance from God, if we should be assaulted by Lust:
according to that of the Historian: [35]_When we once give our selves over
to idleness, we shall in vain implore the aid and assistance of God, for
then he is angry and offended at us_. No, no, let us rather be in continual
action and imployment, and be diligently conversant in our several lawful
vocations: For (as the same Author tells us) [36]_We cannot by a few weak
prayers only and faint Supplications obtain aid and assistance from God;
but by watching, and being in continual action and consultation, all things
will succeed prosperously unto us_. It was a saying {30} of _Appius
Clodius_, [37]_That it were better for the _Romans_ to be busied and
imployed, then remiss and idle; Because great Empires by agitation and
motion are excited to Vertue_. And it was anothers complaint, [38]_That
Idleness _(_that great enemy to Discipline_)_ corrupted and spoiled the
_Roman_ Souldiers_. And so may we complain, that Idleness hinders us in our
Spiritual Warfare against our Lusts. Whilest _Atalanta_ was imployed in
hunting with _Diana_, she kept her Virginity pure and immaculate; but when
she fell into Idleness, she indulg'd her self in the gratification of her
insatiable Lusts: So, whilest our Souls are employed in hunting after
knowledge, and other things which are commendable and praise-worthy, they
may preserve themselves from Lust and Uncleanness. It was a saying of a
_Latine_ Poet, [39]_Take away Idleness, and you break _Cupids_ Bow_: And I
may say, with more then _Poetical Authority_, Take away Idleness, and you
break the Devils Bow; for Idleness is the Bow out of which the Devil shoots
the fiery Darts of his Temptations at us. And if, after all these Means
used, you cannot {31} contain your selves within the bounds of Chastity,
then

7. Enter the sacred Bonds of _Matrimony_: 'Tis far better thou shouldest
marry then burn. Take St. _Pauls_ counsel, who, [40]_to avoid fornication_,
bids _every man have his own Wife, and every woman have h