A Practical Discourse of Prayer, Discourse · Part 3 · Chapter 2
CHAP. II. Touching Distractions in Prayer.
VVE are now to proceed to other caſes of Conſcience, ariſing in the inceſſant carrying on of the weighty duty of prayer. The ſecond caſe now to be handled is, touching Diſtractions, or Impertinent thoughts, and workings of ſpirit, which diſturb and moleſt us in prayer: wherein, demand will be made of three things.
Touching, 1 The Cauſes 2 The Cure Queſt. or remedy thereof. 3 The ſucceſſe of ſuch prayers, wherein ſuch diſtractions are found.
Touching the firſt we ſay, the cauſes General cauſes of diſtractions in prayer.of ſuch diſtractions are either ſuch as are more generall or more particular. The more general cauſes are two.
1. Satan that enemy to prayer, the Authour of all confuſion, and ſo of this confuſion Satan.of the ſpirit in prayer; that fowle who ſtealeth away what is ſpoken to the heart by God in the word, he is as buſie to ſteal away the good motions of the ſpirit, ſtirring us up to ſpeak to God in prayer. Satan is at hand to tempt when we are in hand with prayer. If we will draw near to God in prayer▪ we may expect the tempter to approach ſome way or other to diſturb us▪ by ſome ſiniſter ſubtle ſuggeſtions or other. Wee muſt reſiſt the devil in ſuch like diſtracting motions when we are drawing nigh to God. Jam. 4. 7. Reſiſt the devil, and he will flee from you. And verſe 8. Draw near to God, &c. If wee will pray with all manner of prayer, we had need be armed againſt ſuch like wily aſſaults of Satan, which tend to annoy us therin. Eph. 6. 11, 18. compared. Look as Act. 16. 16, 17, 18. ſtill when the Apoſtle and his company were to go to prayer, the devil in his inſtrument, the maid poſſeſſed, maketh a diſturbance with her impertinent ſpeeches; ſo is it here, if the devil can help it, ſome thing or other ſhall be ſet on work to breed diſtraction, or occaſion diſturbance to us in prayer, or he himſelfe will be ſuggeſting ſomething to moleſt us.
2. The unregenerate part of man. When 2 The unregenerate part in man.at any time we ſhould doe any good, whether it be to pray, or the like, evil will bee preſent with us, as he complained. Rom. 7. 21. When I would do good, evil is preſent with me: that ſink of natural corruption will then eſpecially caſt out its unſavory ſmels, when ſo raked into by holy humble acknowledgments and deprecations, this dunghill will then be ſending out his vapours, even when the heart is heated and warmed in prayer by the ſpirit; when a commanding power of grace is ſtirring in the heart, the unregenerate part will be raiſing theſe munities. Rom. 7. 23. I ſee another law in my members, rebelling againſt the law of my mind: Paul found it ſo, and who doth not find it ſo in continual experience? If the ſpirit doe break any long ſilence in the heart, and will bee ſpeaking, corruption will talk as loud as the ſpirit, and if it can, drown the noiſe and voice of the ſpirit, that the heart may not diſtinctly hear what the ſpirit doth teach the heart to ſpeak to the Lord. The fleſh will be luſting againſt the ſpirit, ſo that wee cannot ſpeak to God, or doe any ſervice for him, in ſo free and ſpiritual manner as we (as regenerate) doe deſire. Gal. 5. 17. All evill thoughts which boyle out of the ſpirit, riſe out of that inward ſpring, and ſo theſe evil thoughts which diſturb us in prayer, they ſpring from the ſame fountain, Mark. 7. 21. out of the heart proceed evill thoughts, &c. The unregenerate part in the beſt, ſavoureth not ſuch a ſpiritual way of God, as is the conſcionable exerciſe of our ſelves in prayer, that begetteth that natural ſlipperineſſe in ſpiritual things, whence it is that good motions are not ſo rooted, and dwell not ſo long with us. This is that which would be breeding and feeding a diſpoſition in the beſt, to be ſoon ſatisfied with ſpiritual things, and ſo to abate of the earneſt, and intent purſuit after the ſame. The ſtrength of this natural By as will too oft ſhew it ſelfe in the Saints, that whilſt their ſpirits are carried out with ſome might of the hand of the ſpirit of God towards the mark in prayer, this draweth the mind away, and the deceitfull heart of many will bee ſlyly flinging ſomething or other in the way to cauſe a rub, and to ſlack or divert the ſtrait courſe of a regenerate man in prayer.
More particular cauſes of ſuch diſtractions Particular cauſes thereof.in prayer, are theſe:
1 Natural hypocriſie, and falſeneſſe of heart; want of ſoundneſſe in the feet of 1 Naturall hypocriſie.our affections, will make us go crippling and blundring, and ſtumbling, even in this plaine even way of prayer, and a ſmal puſh will turn us aſide, and cauſe the mind and heart to divert from the holy way, in which they were going. Heb. 12. 13. leſt that which is lame, be turned out of the way. And as Prov. 28. 7. As the legs of the lame, ſo is a parable in a fools mouth; a fools mouth cannot, will not utter ſpiritual things ſo cloſely and conciſely, but will be intermingling impertinences; ſo is it here, ſo far as this ſinfull guile, (which indeed is but folly) doth take place. As where ruling hypocriſie doth poſſeſſe a man, that man is very fickle and unſtable, he is in and out, off and on, in every thing he ſaith or doth: now he will be as one ſpeaking or doing well, and now againe the contrary. James 1. 8. That double minded man is unſtable in all his wayes: ſo is it in part, where tyranizing hypocriſie domineereth over any poor ſoul, it will cauſe many diverſions and much unſteadineſſe in the mind in the beſt ſervices. Where the ſpirit is hypocriticall, there will the heart and mind be conſtantly gadding, and far off, when the lips are near God in ſeeking of him. Jer. 12. 3. Thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reines. And Matth. 15. They draw near me with their lips, but their hearts are removed far from me. When the heart is divided, as Hoſea ſpeaks, chap. 10. 2. ſurely the mind will be ſo too. That part of man which is not for God will never be long with him, but ever ſtarting from him in any Ordinance, and ſo in this. Though the heart, as ſincere in part, put the mind upon thinking of ſutable things to the prayer in hand, yet the heart, as wily and guileful alſo in part, will be imploying the mind in other thoughts alſo: and ſo far as there is diviſion of mind, there is a diſtracted mind, or a mind drawne diverſe wayes.
2 Diſtruſtful care for outward things. 2. Diſtruſtful care:Thence is the mind as a meteor (as is the Greek phraſe, Luke 12. 28, 29) pendulous and wavering, now up, now downe, now turning this way, now that, keeping no certain courſe in this, or in any other way of God. Look as that care of his about his Inheritance, diſtracted his mind in hearing God ſpeak to him, Luke 11, 13, 14. (whence that interruption of Chriſt in his preaching,) Maſter, (ſaith one then) bid my brother divide the inheritance; ſo doth the like cauſe work a like effect in our ſpeaking to God in prayer. It is a ſad and dangerous character of a thorny Profeſſor, when conſtantly as any ſeed of the Word is ſhooting up in any Ordinance, ſuch thorny diſtempers and diſtractions ſpring up with it, Luke 8. 7. Yea, when they commonly over-top the ſame, and good things in prayer, hearing, meditation, &c. come thereby to be choaked and ſtifled in our minds or hearts. When the mind is in a manner drunk with cares of this life, it will go on reeling and ſtaggering in the choiceſt paths of God: or if from ſuch a worldly ſpirit, we make raſh and ſudden irruptions unto Prayer from heat of worldly buſineſſes, when the mind but then was reaking hot, and ſweating in them, the ſteem and ſavour thereof will ſurely annoy us in prayer ſo ſoon after: our buſineſſes, which we talked with ſo earneſtly but then, they will be calling after us again, as having ſomewhat more to ſay to us. The Veſſels of our minds will taſte too much of that ſtrong liquor, which can hardly be emptied out ſo ſoon. Look as it is with a man, who is not throughly waked from ſleep, his head is moſt apt to be filled with fumes, and his tongue to ſpeak impertinently: ſo is it here, when we are not throughly rowzed from carnal occaſions and thoughts about them; our minds will be full of impertinent thoughts. And as other dreames come from multitudes of buſineſs, and buſyings of the mind, Eccl. 5. 2, 3. ſo here, from ſuch like buſyings of the mind but then, we ſhall pray but dreamingly and diſtemperedly. When we have been ſo intently ſtudying but then, ſuch a point reſpecting the world, wee ſhall not ſo ſoon be drawn to think ſo intently and fixedly of better ſubjects.
3 Diſcontent with our preſent condition. As diſcontented Jonah, how is his 3. Diſcontent.prayer ſtuffed with diſtempered expreſſions ſpringing from diſtempered thoughts, Jon. 4. 1, 2. Grace and diſcontent pulled Rachels ſpirit divers wayes; now tumultuous thoughts againſt her husband, now envious thoughts againſt her ſiſter, and now better motions of the Spirit to counterwork the ſame: So that ſhe in that caſe might be ſaid to be in great wreſtlings in prayer alſo, Geneſis 30. 8. Diſcontent is a mutinous diſtemper, and will be caſting tumults, even in our beſt times of praying, &c. All the dayes of ſuch aflicted ones are evil, Prov. 15. 15 Diſcontent, as a mighty vapour in the heart that is pent in, and there hath lyen long, will at length be breaking out, and will cauſe Earthquakes in the heart of long continuance, which will ſtrangely vary the motions of the heart this way and that way, and oft-times rend it. It will make a man mentally, ever wandring, and ſo lyable to all ſorts of temptations, at all times, and in the beſt Ordinances, Prov. 27. 8. As a bird wandring from her neſt, ſo is a man wandring from his place. Diſcontent taking off the mind from its baſis and center of quiet ſubmiſſion to Gods mind and will, the mind knoweth not where to fix. A diſcontented Chriſtian is neither pleaſed with himſelfe, nor any thing he hath or doth, no not with his very praying; and no wonder then if ſo diſtempered in it. The ground of diſcontent is diſtruſt: and what is of a more wavering nature then that? It maketh a man like the troubled ſea when it cannot reſt ſo long as ſuch blaſts are upon his mind. It maketh the workings of his mind like the waves of the ſea, very independent, and ſometimes thwarting each other. Jam. 1. 6 Nothing wavering; that is, nothing doubting or diſtruſting, which is indeed the wavering of a troubled Sea wave.
4 Inordinacy of affection, whether of 4. Inordinacy of affection.deſire, or fear, or love, or joy, or grief, or anger, &c. The Lord Chriſt when to raiſe Tabithae, he will put out the Minſtrels and the Mourners, which made a confuſed noiſe; no good to be done unleſſe theſe be ſtilled. No raiſing up of a dead ſpirit in prayer unleſs all ſuch inordinacies be ſecluded. Such inordinacies in the heart will hurry the mind with them, and make that inordinate too. If they give reſpit to the mind to be buſied a little in any Ordinance, yet they cannot ſpare or forbear its ſervice long. They carve and cut out ſo much work for the mind, that it can ſcarce have leiſure for more ſpiritual Imployment. Yea, the very mouth and tongue, which ſhould be in any Ordinance as the pen of a ready writer, ſhall be ever and anon jogged by them; yea, they will be inditing, ſuggeſting and inſerting ever and anon their matters, whilſt the ſpirit of a ſanctified Chriſtian is inditing the more weighty meſſages of the ſoul to be diſpatched to heaven by this ſure and ſpeedy Meſſenger Prayer; and its well, if through the tumultuous noiſe of theſe diſtempers, the mind be not ſo diſturbed, that men ſometimes in prayer ſpeak non-ſenſe. And as in Feaveriſh diſtempers, the Patients thoughts are ſlippery, ſlighty, and independent, and their diſcourſes accordingly as full of impertinencies. So is it here, amidſt thoſe feaveriſh diſtempers of the ſoul. Inordinacies of Affection they are the ſouls Diſeaſes, and a Chriſtian ſick of ſuch Diſeaſes wil be followed ever and anon with impertinencies of thoughts in beſt ſervices.
5 Any ſpirit of Luſt. This maketh Chriſtians of good hopes, as clouds which are 5. Luſt.driven hither and thither of contrary winds: Jude calleth thoſe laſcivious profeſſors, Clouds carried about of winds, Jude 12. alſo wandring Stars; their minds cannot be fixed and intent in any Duty of piety. They do not, cannot keep in the right Eclyptick Line, but wander from that conſtant courſe which Jeſus Chriſt the Sun of Righteouſneſs conſtantly kept. That wild-fire wil be burning, whilſt the Incenſe of prayer is offering and burning. Look as it is with the boiling pot, the ſcum of it will be riſing up, together with the meat therein: So is it here, even when a Chriſtians heart is or ſhould bee boyling up good matter in prayer, ſuch a filthy ſcum as this is will be riſing up in the ſpirit together with it. Or as its ſaid of the Harlot, She watcheth her times to call and intice paſſengers to her, which were going right on, Prov. 9. 15. So is it here, theſe Bawds and Panders in the ſoul, they wil be inveagling and inticing the mind and heart to withdraw the ſame from their intent going on in prayers; or any other good way of God to the end that they may be nought with them. As its ſaid of that old Beldam and grand Strumpet Concupiſcence; A man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own Luſt and enticed. So is it here, in this daughter of that mother of Fornications; it will be inticing the ſoul, and drawing it away from any way of God, and then tempt it.
6 A ſpirit of Error, This maketh Chriſtians 6. Error.alſo like clouds, as Jude ſpeaketh of erring perſons, Jude 8, 12, 13. Unclean Opinioniſts, they are or will be Dreamers, as Judes phraſe is, Theſe are filthy Dreamers, dreaming continually in every thing they ſay or do. Their thoughts wil be incongruous in their beſt imployments. As it is with perſons benighted, they are apteſt to wander from any right path wherein they were going: ſo is it with a mind benighted and bemiſted with darkneſſe of error; that mind will hardly keep on its way in prayer, or any other Ordinance long, but wil have his ſinful vagaries. Or as a man whoſe head is filled with wine or ſtrong drink, his head being giddy he goeth reeling along. So is it with Chriſtians beſotted with error, their giddy braines will not ſuffer them to be ſolid, diſtinct, exact, and intent in their thoughts in the good wayes of God; they will be ſtumbling with their feet, and ſtammering with their tongue, making at beſt but rude and broken work of it in their prayers and performances. Such perſons are ever unſtable ſouls; They beguile unſtable ſouls, 2 Pet. 3. Their very minds are unſtable in any thing that is good. They are vain in their imaginations, Rom. 1. Belial, the ſpirit of confuſion of mind, heart, and way, is where a ſpirit of Error dwells.
7 Family contention. It is a continual 7. Family contention.dropping, Prov. 19. 13. It will make breaches into the very ſpirit alſo of the other yoak fellow; yea, divide and diſtract it in prayer, as well as other ſervices. 1 Pet. 3. 7. to orderly dwelling together of Chriſtian yoak fellowes this is adjoyned, That your prayers be not hindred; neither by diſtempering your ſpirits who are to joyne in prayer, nor by diſtaſting the Lord, ſo as he will not give a ready anſwer thereto. Its hard for him who is in the Family to mind the caſes of each one therein, but in minding the contentions therein, ſome diſtemperrd thoughts will be ariſing in him. If the very repetition of an offenſive matter paſſing 'twixt two friends, is ſo apt to breed a freſh diſtance, by renewing the former apprehenſions of the offenſiveneſs thereof; whence that Prov. 17. He that repeateth a matter ſeparateth chief friends; then in the beſt men and in the beſt duties, it is a wonder if reminding and rementioning family contentions, there be not found ſome tang and touch of diſtempered movings and muſings.
8 Spiritual drowſineſſe, ſluggiſhneſſe, 8. Sluggiſhneſsand ſlightineſs of heart. When heart and mind is of a drowzie temper, it is of a dreaming temper, full of impertinent fancies even when to be imployed in prayer, or the like; yea, if both body and ſoul be not in a waking and watching plight, the ſoul wil be apt to be hurried with impertinencies, temptations. Matth. 26. 41. Watch and pray lest yee enter into temptation.
Now touching the ſecond thing propounded, Remedies againſt diſtractions in praier,even the Remedies of ſuch diſtractions in prayer. Let but diligent heed be taken, and conſcionable indeavour uſed againſt each of the former occaſions and cauſes thereof, and it will help to redreſſe the ſame. Eſpy out and bewaile the ſecret guile and wilineſſe of heart, get your heart rid of thoſe diſtruſtful cares, of that Diſconcontent and inordinacy of affection; baniſh that ſpirit of Luſt and of Error from your ſouls, beware of that family contention, and that ſpiritual or corporal ſupineneſs, and you wil in a good meaſure get rid of ſuch diſtractions in prayer. But yet for our better help herein.
1 Make conſcience of holy and due Holy …paration unto prayer.preparation of our ſelves unto prayer. Exod. 34. 3. Moſes muſt come alone to God, and leave the flocks. Jacob ferrieth over all belonging to him on the other ſide of the river, before wreſtleth with the Angel. Gen. 32. Abraham leaveth the ſervants, and the Aſſes at the foot of the hill, when to goe to ſacrifice to the Lord. Gen. 22. David had got his heart into a very ſerious and fixed frame, for that praiſing part of his prayer, and yet as thinking that all too little, ſaith, hee will yet rouſe himſelfe up to that work. Pſal. 57. 7. O God my heart is fixed, my heart is fixed, I will ſing and give praiſe: and verſe 8. I my ſelfe will ariſe right early. So good Deborah rowſeth up herſelf amain to powr out prayſes to the Lord, Jud. 5. 12. Awake, awake Deborah, awake utter a ſong. A gracious heart ſhould think it ſelf never enough awaked to ſuch holy work, experience of Saints will prove it: and when they can by grace get their minds and hearts a little ſequeſtred to conſider ſeriouſly of the work they are going about, and of God and Chriſt before whom they come, and of themſelves who are to come before the Lord, and the like, before they actually addreſſe themſelves to ſolemne prayer; how intently, and ſpiritually, and ſtrongly they are wont then to bee carryed through the duty: and all other times, when they more ſuddenly and inconſiderately ſet upon prayer, how unprofitably they are wont to ſpend ſuch a time; and how many hurries of ſpirit, this way and that way, they are cumbred with, and much adoe to make any thing of it at ſuch times.
2. Spiritual wiſedome is another help; 2 Godly wiſedome.Godly wiſedom will chooſe places for prayer, which are freeſt from any diſtracting occaſion: Hence Chriſt ſo often repaires to the mountaine to pray. Wiſedome will ſeaſonably diſcern a deluding, cheating thought, yea, though it come with its vizard, or with its painted face, wearing in view the very livery of our heavenly Father; and much readier will it eſpy other thoughts, which would ſlyly withdraw our minds by little and little from the preſent buſineſſe of our ſouls. Wiſedome is before him that hath underſtanding, Prov. 17. 24. whilſt the fools eyes are wandring in the corners of the world, The wiſe Chriſtian keeps his eye from gadding after vaine objects, and keeps it rather intent upon wiſedomes works and wayes. The heart of the wiſe is at his right hand, the inſtrument of action. Eccleſ. 10. 2. He hath his heart and ſpirit at an holy beek, to be imployed as wiſedom ſhall direct, as there is need of the exerciſe of thoughts, or deſires, or griefe, or joy, or feare, or anger, in an holy way or work, a truely wiſe Chriſtian hath them at hand to do their ſeveral homage to the Lord, being thereto commanded by his ſpirit. The wiſe mans eyes are in his head. Eccleſ. 2. 14. The truely wiſe Chriſtian hath the ready and ſeaſonable uſe of the eyes of his mind and underſtanding, holy thoughts and apprehenſions are not to ſeek when the Lord calleth for the uſe thereof, as in prayer or the like; but they are then active, and ſo ready to keep out worſe or unjuſt thoughts. A wiſe Chriſtian being alſo privy to his owne inability to keep his heart cloſe to God; he betaketh himſelfe to the Lord, as he did, Pſal. 86. 11. Ʋnite my heart to fear thy name. He would have the Lord to keep his heart cloſe to any part of his fear or worſhip, that it ſcatter not, wander not therefrom. Intruders cannot get in unſeene, and untaken notice of whilſt this lightſome, watchful grace is imployed, as they will in darker places. This skilfull Pilot at the helm, by keeping its eye upon Gods compaſſe, avoids many yawes, and much lee-way in a gracious Chriſtians courſe, in prayer, or otherwiſe, which other unwiſe Chriſtians make.
3. Wathfulneſſe, which is the ſeaſonable 3 Watchfulneſſe.and practical uſe of that holy wiſedome upon every occaſion. This will bee examining ſuch as knock at the door of the heart, whilſt the ſpirit is talking with God in prayer. Thoſe godly Church-officers deſcribed, Revel. 4. 6, 8. with their eyes before and behind, and within alſo, to obſerve all without, and as well alſo within themſelves, they goe on uninterrupted in the worſhip of God, as though their cry was but one and the ſame continued cry night and day: They reſt not night nor day, ſaying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which is, and was, and is to come. This pondering the path of our feet is a help to going right on in this or any other way of God without diverſions from it, or ſtumbling in it. Prov. 4. 26, 27. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy wayes be eſtabliſhed. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left; the former is the meanes to the latter. A good watch at the City gates, the out-lets and inlets of ſuggeſtions to the mind, or motions from it, will keep us from trouble-Cities, ſuch trouble-ſouls, as are theſe diſtractions, and help rid them of ſuch Vagrants as they are. Such holy, careful overſights of the banks, will prevent the dividing of the ſtreams and iſſues of our minds (even our thoughts) that they run in no other channel and way then is meet for them. When we go to prayer, we are aſſaying by the ladder Jeſus Chriſt to climb up to heaven, and this holy care of our feet keeps them from ſlipping, and us from falls. Look to thy foot when thou goeſt into the houſe of God, namely, to worſhip God in prayer or otherwiſe, Eccleſ. 5. 1. When wee go to pray, we go ſpiritually to plow, and this holy minding of our work, and our hand, helpeth to keep us in our right furrow.
4 Holineſſe and heavenlineſſe of heart. 4. Heavenlines of heart.The nature of prayer is a lifting up of the heart; the more elevated that is therefore, the more fitted to pray aright. Who more free from any diſtractions in prayer, then Chriſt the holy one of God? Who go on more ſtraight in their holy courſe without any digreſſions, then thoſe heavenly ſpirits deſcribed, Ezek. 1. 9. A heavenly heart is ſo much in heaven at other times, and on other occaſions, that it will be very loathſom to it to be then in earth, when to be ſo ſolemnly exerciſed in ſo heavenly a diſcourſe with God: Holy things and thoughts are made ſo natural to ſuch a ſoul, and ſo familiar to it, that they will more eaſily be ſpoken with, and more readily be ſpeaking with us in prayer. God hath ſuch a ones heart, and therefore his eyes will be fixed and intent upon this or any other way of his. Prov. 23. 26. My ſon, give me thy heart, and let thine eyes obſerve my wayes. Such a heart is filled with ſpiritual materials, and when well warmed in this, or other like holy exerciſes, it will boil up little elſe but good matter, as hee ſaid, Pſalm 45 1. My heart boileth up (ſo it is in the Hebrew) good matter; and ſuch a ones tongue will be alſo as the pen of a ready Writer, not often making ſo much as a wry daſh, in preſenting the ſouls occaſions before the Lord, ibid. As a well builded ſhip deeply and richly laden, heeleth not ſo much, nor maketh not ſo many yawes, and is not put to it to make ſo many boards and tacks to recover and keep its courſe, but will lye nearer the wind, even when its ſcant, and keep a ſtraiter courſe then other veſſels. So is it here with a well compoſed, well principled heart, it will ſteer a ſtraiter courſe, and freer from digreſſions and diſtractions in prayer. Or as a perſon that hath his pocket filled with pieces of Silver, and here and there a braſs farthing poſſibly amongſt it; if he be to trade for wares, wil moſtly pluck out ſilver; whereas another that hath moſt braſs money in his purſe, and very little ſilver, will hardly pull out any other then braſſe. So is it here, when ſpiritual and heavenly minded Chriſtians are to trade with God in prayer, they preſent little elſe to the Lord then what is ſpiritual and ſutable to their work in hand. Out of the good Treaſure of their hearts, they bring forth good things, Matth. 12. 35. yea, good thoughts too, as well as words; whereas a more worldly minded Chriſtian, when to pray, preſents little elſe but what ſavours of the world, eſpecially in his thoughts: as Pſalm 37. 31, its ſaid of the ſpiritual perſon, The Law of God is in his heart, none of his ſteps ſhall ſlide: no not ſo oft or much ſlip, when to go on in this or any other path of God. God himſelf is more engaged to keep ſuch a heart from wandring from any of his Commandments which is devoted to him. Hence that plea of his, Pſalm 119. 10. With my whole heart have I ſought thee, O let me not wander from thy Commandments.
5 Holy Zeal. When there is an holy ardency 5. Holy Zeal.of indignation againſt the leaſt evil and impenitency ariſing in prayer, its a means to redreſſe the ſame. When Chriſtians do not barely fal out with any ſuch evil, but abhor it, hate evil as hell, (as the Greek word in Rom. 12. 9. ſignifieth) then will they more immoveably cleave to this or any other good, for they are joyned there; Abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good, or be glued to that which is good, ſo as not to be ſtirred from it. A zealous Suppliant eſpying any ſuch impertinency in prayer, preſently falleth fowl of it, cryeth out upon it, purſueth it with exclamations, cenſureth it in all its aggravations, and ſo gaineth more intentneſs of ſpirit, and ſeriouſneſſe of lively affections in the duty then before. Zeal is bold and couragious, and will not baſely yeild to any ſuch intruder, but thruſt them out of doors, looking at them as attended with a whole crowd of other like diſturbers, ready to preſſe in at their heels, if once permitted entrance into the ſoul of a Chriſtian exerciſed in prayer. Look as the cutting or cropping off unprofitable ſprouts, putting forth here or there, upon their firſt appearance, cauſeth the tree to grow the ſtraiter, and to bring forth more ſeaſonable fruit. So is it here, when by Zeal we cut off impertinencies at their firſt appearing, we bring forth more ſeaſonably the fruits of every praying grace and diſpoſition. And look as 2 Kings 6. 32, 33. when they were ſerious in that weighty diſcourſe, there was charge given to handle that turbulent meſſenger roughly at the door, to prevent his Mſtaers coming in at his heels. So is it here, when at this pious conference with God, any ſuch unſeaſonable motions are zealouſly repulſed, it preventeth more ſad diſturbance in the duty. Albeit Abrahams zeal could not hinder the fowls from lighting upon his Sacrifice, yet will it not ſuffer them to reſt there, but driveth them away, Gen. 15. 10, 11. Zeal alſo will make a godly Chriſtian remove all cauſes and occaſions of diſturbance: As Paul, out of his zeal uſeth meanes to caſt the divel out of the poſſeſſed maid, which occaſioned that diſturbance daily to them when they went to praier, Act. 16 16, 17 18. As we went to prayer a certain damſel poſſeſſed, &c. cryed, &c. and Paul being grieved in ſpirit, ſaid to the ſpirit, Come out of her.
6 Peace of conſcience and calmneſſe 6. Peace of conſcience.of ſpirit. If noiſe without diſturb and diſtract us in prayer, much more clamorous noiſe within. The heart in hurries of conſcience unpacified in the blood of Chriſt, in a pit of noiſe (as the Pſalmiſts phraſe is in the Hebrew, Pſalm 40. 2.) hath not its goings eſtabliſhed: He brought me out of the horrible pit, and eſtabliſhed my goings. When God brought David out of the pit of noiſe, then, and not till then, were his goings eſtabliſhed; then did his mind and heart take more fixed and ſtraits ſteps in the wayes of God. If the bloud of Chriſt doth not ſpeak ſuch good things which further in us prayer, the blood of Abel, or the guilt of ſin, will ſpeak that which will ſtartle us and ſtumble us whilſt at prayer: and the poor ſoul will be more taken up with liſtning to theſe cryes, and with perplexed thoughts what anſwer to make to ſuch pinching Objections thence, then be able to hold out its attentions to what he was to ſpeak further unto the Lord. When Aſaph was ſo beſet with fears about his maine eſtate, (as Pſalm 77. 1. to 10) his prayers were rather reaſonings to and again, with inward cavils raiſed from his own infirmity of unbelief, then diſtinct requeſts. When the heart is ſhackled with ſuch bindding griefs and fears, it cannot go, much leſſe run ſo ſturdily in this, or any other way of God, but will be blundring and ſtaggering in mind and heart: whereas peace and joy in God, they fit and free us for a ſteady and ſpeedy motion in this or any other way of God, Pſal. 119. 32. I will run the way of thy Commandments, when thou haſt inlarged my heart.
7 Faith is a help againſt diſtractions in 7. Faith.prayer. That preſerveth from wavering in mind or heart in prayer. James 1. 6, 8. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering, &c. eſpecially if a Chriſtian ſtir up himſelf to act and exerciſe his faith in ſuch promiſes wherein the Lord undertaketh for his poor ſervants to help them againſt ſuch diſtractions. Jerem. 31. 9. With ſuplications wil I lead them in a ſtraight way wherein they ſhall not ſtumble. Iſaiah 30. 21. Thou ſhalt hear a word behind thee ſaying, This is the way, walk in it, when thou turneſt to the right hand or to the left; and ſo be ſpeedily ſet to rights in mind or heart in Gods waies when at any time ſtarting aſide, Iſaiah 40. 31. They ſhall mount up with wings as Eagles; ſoar aloft with winged thoughts and affections in Gods holy wayes. Ezek. 36. 27. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cauſe you to walk in my Statutes and to keep my Judgments and do them; his Spirit ſhall keep his peoples minds and hearts, intent and attent in his wayes.
8 The fear and awe of God. Which as 8. Fear of Godit helps to make through work in the things of God; whence that Phil 2. 12. Workout your ſalvation with fear and trembling: So in this, it maketh us full of holy jealouſie, leſt we ſhould any way come ſhort of what God requireth of us in it; or in ſtead of pleaſing him therein, carry it ſo as to diſpleaſe him. And as other fears call in, and confine all the thoughts to be exerciſed about the objects which are in their view, as matters of dread: ſo in this holy fear, leſt we ſhould ſin againſt the Lord in our approaches to him, it faſtneth the mind to attend to that end. This is a jealous Grace, and therefore will be ſuſpecting every impertinent thought, and examine it, and awaken the ſoul to take notice of it, and to take ſpeedy order with it. Hence is it that by the fear of the Lord men come to depart from all manner of evil of ſin.
9. Laſtly, Love of God, of Chriſt, and of the duty it ſelf. Love it ſelf is glue, and 9. Holy love.bond, and all; a very ſtrong ingaging, and indearing tye: it is an overcoming delightful affection, ſo that the mind will not ſo ſoon wander from its pleaſing objects and actings, Love of God and good is ſo unſatisfied an affection, that the exerciſe of all the thoughts in their utmoſt intentneſs, at ſuch praying times, ſeemeth unto love too ſlender, ſhort and narrow for its Imployments. Hence that ſpeech of Love, Pſalm 63. 7. Thou haſt been my help, and in the ſhadow of thy wings will I rejoice; and yet ver. 8. as not having enough, ſaith, My ſoul followeth hard (or cleavingly) after thee. Pſalm 116. 1. David profeſſeth, I love the Lord; and ver. 16. Truly Lord, I am thy ſervant, thy ſervant; and ver. 17. I wil call upon the name of the Lord. Love maketh him wholly for God, and that in a way of prayer alſo; ſo in love to the Duty of Prayer it ſelf; if that David can ſay, (Pſa. 119. 30) I have choſen the way of Truth, he can alſo ſay, ver. 31. I have ſtuck to thy teſtimonies, If the ſoul make choice of Prayer for a lovely Ordinance, it will not be looſe in it or from it, but cleave cloſe to that holy exerciſe when called to it. As love of Chriſt will conſtrain Paul to attend to ſpeaking of Chriſt, ſo as others may have ſoul benefit, 2 Cor. 5. 14. The love of Chriſt (ſaith he) conſtraineth me; ſo will this work the like holy attention to the work of this holy ſpeaking to God in the name of Chriſt. As it is with the burning glaſs, by it the ſcattered beames of the Sun being more united, come to kindle upon combuſtible matter; ſo is it here, it cometh to paſs, through this grace of love, that the ſcattered dartings, motions, and thoughts, like beams of the mind, are ſo gathered and kept in one, and ſo ſet and fixed upon the hearts deſires expreſſed in prayer, that our hearts come to be even fired and inflamed ſpiritually: or as other heat, it doth congregare homogenea, and diſgregare Heterogenea: So is it with this heat of holy love in prayer. It is an active inſtrument and means to compoſe and compact the good thoughts and ſtirrings of the mind and heart, which are ſutable to the expreſſions in prayer, but to ſcatter and remove impertinent and unſutable motions and workings of our ſpirits therein.
Touching the third thing propounded; The ſucceſs of prayers peſtered with diſtractions. Diſtractions nullifying the force of praiersnamely, the ſucceſſe of ſuch prayers, which are peſtered with diſtractions. I anſwer,
1. That ſome kind of diſtractions in prayer; are ſuch as do ſorely undermine, if not wholly overturne the ſaving iſſue of any ſuch prayers which they do accompany: and theſe are of four ſorts.
1. Such as are conſtant and commanding 1. When conſtant, commanding▪ and general.diſtempers, uſually and in a manner conſtantly carrying all gainſaying motions before them, yea, ſuch diſtractions as are univerſally overſpreading; as the duty of prayer, ſo all other Duties. Theſe argue ruling hypocriſie, and an Unregenerate eſtate. When the eyes of the mind of any perſon, which is to have to do with any of the wayes of wiſdom, are ſo conſtantly and prevailingly wandring in the corners of the earth, that perſon is a fool, a natural man, Prov. 17. 24. The eyes of the fool are in the corners of the earth; namely, when he ſhould have to do with wiſdom, as the oppoſition ſheweth; but wiſdom is before him that hath underſtanding. Jerem. 12. 2. They are ſheep for the ſlaughter of judgment, whoſe trade and way that is, there mentioned, Thou art neer in their mouth, but far from their reins: When their mouth maketh the godlieſt mentions of God in prayer, (or the like) of Gods nearneſſe to them, yet even then hee is far from their hearts and thoughts.
2 Such diſtractions as are deſpiſed in the 2. When deſpiſed and conſtantly neglected.perſons eyes in whom they abound, he is careleſs of them: This verifieth that Prov. 19. 16. He that deſpiſeth his ways ſhall dye; be they the wayes of his mind, or heart, or lip, or life, if he never regard whether they be regular or irregular, he is a child of death. When ſuch words get up, grow faſt, yea, and overgrow his better things, and he regardeth it not, ſurely, ſuch a profeſſors end will be miſerable. Prov. 24. 31, 33. The ſluggards vineyard is covered over with nettles, and yet a little ſleep &c.
3 Such as notwithſtanding which, yet the heart is quiet. Prov. 24. 31, 33. it breaketh 3. When leaving the heart quiet.not his ſleep, it moleſteth not his eaſe, nor is he ſo much as willing that ſuch ſpiritual miſchiefs and evils ſhould diſquiet him; he is all for eaſe, and will not have that diſturbed; ver. 33. Yet a little ſleep, &c. ſuch a ones caſe is ſad. God regards not him nor any thing he ſaith, but eyeth him as a loathſom ſluggard fit for ruine.
4 Such as overcome the ſoul, and by degrees 4 When overrunning the heart.eat out the very motions and diſpoſitions to prayer, or any other good work; ibid. compared with Prov. 21. 25. ſuch a ſluggard had his deſires, but even his deſires too are overcome with ſuch diſtempers, The deſire of the ſluggard killeth him, for his hands refuſe to labour.
2 There are ſome other diſtractions in prayer, which may ſtand with hopeful Others not bindring anſwers of praierſucceſſes of the prayers annoyed by them. As
1. Such diſtractions in prayer which are 1. If reſiſted.ſtrongly reſiſted, prayed againſt, and bewailed. Albeit ſometimes by their violence they captivate us, ſo that as he ſaid, The good we would do we cannot, becauſe of that preſent evil; Rom. 7. 21. And this part of the law of our members rebelleth againſt the law of our minds; is quite croſſe to the bent of our ſpirits, as ſpiritual. ver. 23. whence with Paul, as verſe 24. we are ready to cry out, Wretched men that we are, who ſhall deliver us from the body of this death.
2 Such as are frequently overcome, ſo 2. If frequently overcome.that notwithſtanding that oppoſition of the Spirit in us by the fleſh, yet the fleſh hath not its will of us, Galat. 5. 19. The Spirit luſteth againſt the fleſh; namely, ſo as to put it to the worſt.
3 Such which at the firſt ariſing of them do amaze and appall the heart, and 3. If amazing the heart.ſo Satanical, and not ours.
4 Such as are mainly occaſioned from bodily diſtempers, melancholy, unwonted 4 If occaſioned from bodily a…ls.drowſineſſe, ſickneſſe, paines, &c. in which caſe he pitieth us as a father his children, remembring our frame that we are but duſt. Pſal. 102. 13, 14. as in ſick Hezekiahs chatterings, &c. Iſai. 33. 8.
5. Such which are occaſioned by ſome 5 If occaſioned by outward occurrents.outward occurrents, as the diſturbance occaſioned at that prayer and faſting. 1 Sam. 7. 5, 6, 9, 10, 7, 8. compared, ſo by ſudden outcries, accidents, &c.