such Calamities on themselves: First, they fancy that such ill Accidents must come to pass; and so they render themselves fit Subjects to be wrought upon; and very often become the Instruments, to bring those Effects about, which they fondly imagin'd were inevitably threaten'd them from Heaven.
Sect. XXII. Experiments not prejudicial to Mortification.The last Accusation concerns that which is necessary to a holy Life, the mortifying of our Earthly Desires. And here the Men of a retir'd and severe Devotion are the loudest: For they tell us, that we cannot conquer and despise the World while we study it so much: that we cannot have sufficient leisure to reflect on another Life, while we are so taken up about the Curiosities of this; that we cannot be strict enough in correcting the Irregularities of our own Thoughts, while we give them so much liberty to wander, and so pleasant a Road wherein to travel; and that it is in vain to strive after the Purity and Holiness of our Minds, while we suffer them to spend so much Time on the Labours of our Senses. This Objection appears at first sight somewhat terrible: But I come the more boldly to answer it, because there are involv'd in the same Indictment, all the most innocent Arts, and civil Actions of Men, which must either stand or fall with Experiments in this Trial.
First then I will alledge, that if this sort of Study, should be acknowledg'd not to be proper, for the promoting of the severer Offices of Christianity, yet it would sufficiently recompence for that, by the Assistance it may bring to some other kinds of Christian Virtues: If it shall not fill our Minds with the most mortifying Images, which may rise from the Terrorsof
