The Cure of Distractions, Text (4 of 4)

The Cure of Distractions · Text (4 of 4)

p. 199In the laſt place follows the Application. And here I ſhall

Firſt, Caution you againſt the Cauſes of Diſtraction.

Secondly, Expoſtulate with you about theſe Diſtractions.

Thirdly, Direct unto Remedies againſt Diſtractions.

p. 200Fourthly, Inſiſt upon ſeveral particular Duties, and ſhew you how you may with leſs Diſtraction perform them.

Fifthly, Speak Terrour to Sinners and Hypocrites.

Sixthly, Conclude with Comfort and Encouragement to Saints, who would fain do better, and with leſs Diſtraction attend upon the Lord.

USEI. Shall be of Caution againſt the Cauſes of Diſtraction. If we would be delivered from the effect, we muſt find out, and remove the cauſe. Health and Eaſe are in vain hoped for, while no care is taken to remove the Cauſes of ſickneſs and pain. Serious in holy Duties we ſhall never be, whilſt we allow and cheriſh the Cauſes which make our Hearts rove and wander from God. Now the great Cauſes of Diſtraction, which I am to warn you againſt, and you are to take heed of are theſe.

1. I enter a Caveat againſt corrupted Nature. This is the Cauſe of Cauſes, if you trace up any ſin to its original, you will ſee that to be original ſin. Corrupted Nature never did any Duty well, has no care at all to do any thing better Though the firſt Adam died, ſeveral thouſand Years ago, yet in a ſenſe he lives to this Day, he walks and haunts and troubles his whole Poſterity; and though this old Man is Crucified with Chriſt, yet he is not quite dead in any Believer, while the Believer lives upon the face of the Earth; and the evil that remains in him, will ſhew it ſelf preſent with p. 201him, when he would do that which is good, Rom. 7. 21. We may truly cry out, Myſtery of Iniquity, the great corruption of Nature, the Mother of wickedneſs and abominations of the Earth. As ſin is from hence, ſo this is the grand obſtruction of the ſerious Service of God.

That depravation of humane Nature which is derived from the firſt Adam, makes the Heart of Man deceitful above all things, as well as deſperately wicked, and for ſuch an Heart in holy Duties to act treacherouſly, and to ſtart aſide from God like a deceitful Bow, is indeed, but to act like it ſelf. An Heart totally carnal, is ſo eſtranged from God, that it will never come near him; you ſhould therefore value the promiſe of a new Heart and a new Spirit, Ezek. 36. 26. and beg earneſtly that what is promiſed may be given to you; and though your Hearts are indeed renewed, the renovation is but imperfect, there is much of the old nature ſtill remaining, and this, if you are not very vigilant, will catch away your thoughts, while you are worſhipping the Lord, and bring a damp and coldneſs upon your Hearts.

Original Corruption has ſeiſed upon all the Powers of your Souls, and makes all of them averſe from attending upon God. The Imagination is ſtrongly inclined to wander far off, and the Heart and Affections but too apt to follow. If a free vent be but given to a ſinful and vain imagination, the product and offſpring of it will be diſtracting thoughts without number, like the Locuſts, Frogs and Flies, that fill'd the Land of Egypt, and with theſe p. 202Religious Duties will be corrupted, and rendred unacceptable.

Solomon tells us, that when Man fell from original uprightneſs, he ſought out many inventions, Eccleſ. 7. ult. and all theſe Inventions were but Diſtractions from God, and ways of departing from him; a ſeeking and trying to find ſatisfaction and felicity elſewhere, which is indeed to be found in the Lord alone. Let this truth ſink deep into you, that your Hearts naturally care not for the Lord's Service; and if it be engaged in, they are very apt to be careleſs therein. Cry to Heaven, that you may be more renewed in the Spirit of your Mind, that the old Man may be more compleatly put off, and the new Man more fully put on. The leſs your Hearts are renewed and ſanctified, the more you are likely to be diſtracted; the more there is of corruption in you, it will the more diſcover it ſelf in the Duties of Religion which you do perform.

2. A Caution is to be given you againſt your great Adverſary Satan. He catches the Word of God out of the Heart, he draws away the Heart from the Word, and every other Duty. The Spirit of the Lord helps our infirmities, and aſſiſts us in Prayer: This evil Spirit reſiſts us in our Supplications. He himſelf confeſſes, that he walks too and fro in the earth, and goes up and down in it, Job. 1. 7. His buſineſs is to perſwade the Children of Men to the doing of evil, to hinder the doing of good, or to hinder the good that is done from being well done. Who is the Man that this bold Enemy will not ſet p. 203upon, ſince he tempted Chriſt himſelf, who is God and Man? If he perſwaded our Lord to worſhip the Devil, no wonder if he perſwades us not to worſhip God, or to be heartleſs in the worſhip of him. Where is the place in which we may be ſafe and free from his Temptations, ſince he got into Paradiſe it ſelf, and tempted and prevailed over our firſt Parents there? In ſecret Prayer he is ready to diſturb us, he is buſie in the Sanctuary, that Ordinances there may be loſt, and our engaging in them, may be for the worſe and not for the better: He ſet upon Judas and entred into him, while he was with Chriſt himſelf at the Table, Joh. 13. 27. Great reaſon we have to watch and pray againſt this Tempter, and to ſay to him, The Lord rebuke thee! Zach. 3. 2.

Can you imagine that when you are about to draw nigh to God, Satan will not draw nigh to you? He will preſent objects, and lay baits for your Senſes, thereby to divert your Minds from the Work of God, and not only will he tempt you objectively, but by injection too. Though he cannot look into the Heart, yet he can caſt a great company of evil thoughts into it; he makes ſtrange impreſſions upon the Fancy, ſometimes endeavouring to pleaſe it, ſometimes to terrifie and affright it; that either the one or the other way the Mind in Duties may be diſtracted: You had need to be well aware of this ſubtle and ſedulous Enemy, and to look unto your compaſſionate High-Prieſt, who intercedes for you with the Father, to ſuccour you againſt the Tempter.

p. 204When Satan would interrupt you with this and the other trifle, reply to him, You have to do with the great God, about buſineſs of the greateſt and higheſt conſequence; and it would ſhew both a neglect of God, and a ſlighting of your own Souls, to be diverted. The Builders of Jeruſalem's Walls, as they wrought in the Work with the one hand, ſo in the other hand they held a Weapon, Neh. 4. 17. When you are about the Work of God you ſhould have on the Armour of God, that you may ſtand againſt the Devil's wiles, the ſhield of Faith, the breaſt-plate of Love and Righteonſneſs, the Helmet of Hope, and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, Satan's force is too weak for ſuch weapons as theſe.

3. A Caution alſo is highly needful againſt Mammon as one of the principal cauſes of Diſtraction. The Service of Mammon juſtles out the Service of God, or ſo diſtracts it that it is juſtly accounted no Service at all. As this World is vain in many other regards, ſo in this reſpect, that ſin hinders the end of it from being attained. Inſtead of being led up unto God per ſcalam creaturarum by the Creatures which he has made, we are by them drawn away from him, inſtead of admiring God in the Creature, we admire and affect the Creature and forget God. The World being preſent and viſible, takes the Senſes of Men, and their Fancies, and to walk after the ſight of the eye, is the way that the heart very well likes, Eccleſ. 11. 9. And hence it is, that the inviſible God, and the things which are unſeen, tho p. 205of eternal excellency and continuance, are totally diſregarded, or but ſlightly purſued by the moſt of Men.

How are Men ſince the Fall, become Children in underſtanding! Meer toys and trifles are of great account with them: Husks are coveted, but that which is indeed Bread, they have no hunger after, Iſa. 55. 2. Wherefore do ye ſpend your Money for that which is not Bread? and your labour for that which ſatisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your Soul delight it ſelf in fatneſs: Here is a plain intimation, that diligent hearkning, and ſerious Service of the Lord, was hindred, by minding things which could not ſatisfie. Theſe are things which the Fleſh purveys for, that the Luſts of it may be fulfilled; theſe are the things, that Satan puts a varniſh upon, that they may be the more enſnaring and bewitching; ſo that here lies the great danger leaſt while God is near in the mouth, the World fill the heart, and ſteal it from him.

There are three things in reference to the World, which diſtract thouſands of Hearts, and cauſe millions of Duties to be in vain. The one is Love to the World, the other is care about it, and another is Fear concerning it. Of all theſe you are to beware with the greateſt vigilancy and concernedneſs.

1. Take heed of Love to the World. If the World has your Love, it will have your Thoughts at command, and it will not fail to ſhew its power, and to command your thoughts off from God when you attend upon p. 206him. They that are foreign, lovers of Pleaſures more than lovers of God, will think of Pleaſures rather than of God. That Rich Man in the Goſpel, while he was alive, had Moſes and the Prophets, as well as his Brethren, he was an Iſraelite in Name, called himſelf a Child of Abraham, and profeſt himſelf a Worſhipper of the true God, but all his worſhip was heartleſs, his heart was intoxicated with ſenſual Delights, and his Purple, and fine Linen, and ſumptuous fare, which every day was provided for him, Luk. 16. 19. That which the Soul takes pleaſure in, how will it be revolved in the Mind! Sports and Paſtimes, Garbs and Ornaments, Journies for diverſion and delight, Feaſts, and Mirth and Muſick, if the Heart is fooliſhly fond of ſuch ſorry things as theſe; how will they poſſeſs the Soul, and that in the very Houſe of God, and when his Ordinances are adminiſtred! They will be preſent to the imagination, though really abſent, and an imaginary ſatisfaction will be taken in them, and in the mean while the Lord himſelf will be forgotten, and Communion with him ſlighted.

They that are greedy after gain, their hearts will be upon their gain, while their Bodies are before the Lord. Covetouſneſs commands the Thoughts, and extinguiſhes holy Deſires, while the Tongue is ſpeaking heavenly words, the Mind will be projecting and contriving how to get the Wealth of this World; as if to be rich towards God, were but a poor thing in compariſon. The earthly heart pleaſes it ſelf p. 207with the Thoughts of what it has and with the Hopes of getting more of the World, that for the fleſh more abundant proviſion may be made. Oh ſuffer not the World to have your love and friendſhip; if you are friends to the World and over familiar with it, it will have the more eaſie and ready acceſs into your hearts at any time, and that without the leaſt check. Familiar Friends you know, make bold to come into your door, without knocking for admiſſion.

2. Take heed of Care about the World. How do theſe ſolicitous cares about earthly things diſtract and divide the Mind! When the Kingdom of God and his righteouſneſs ſhould be ſought, there is a taking thought for Food and Raiment, and things of that inferiour nature. Our Lord knew the evil of theſe Cares, and therefore uſes a great many words to diſſwade from them. He tells us that our heavenly Father clothes the Lillies of the Field, and feeds the Fowls of the Air, which have neither Storehouſe nor Barn; and much more will he provide Bread for his Children to eat, and Raiment wherewith they may be clothed; and they are foreign of little Faith, that make any doubt of it, Mat. 6. 30. If Cares about ſuch things prevail, they may cauſe groſs omiſſions of Duty; or if Duties are done, they may miſcarry in the doing; there may be ſuch an anxious ſolicitouſneſs about this earth, and the affairs of it, that Heaven and the God of Heaven, may be hardly thought of. Worldly care is one of the things that chokes the Word, and it will p. 208choke Prayer alſo, it will hinder the Word from being fruitful, and Prayer from being ſucceſsful. You have leave to caſt all your care upon God who cares for you, 1 Pet. 5. 7. And if baniſhing diſtruſt in God, and eagerneſs after the the World, you are careful for nothing in it; you may then by Prayer and Supplication, with thanksgiving make your requeſt known unto God, Phil. 4. 6. and he will make it known to you, that this is the very beſt courſe you can take for all manner of ſupplies.

3. Take heed of fear concerning the World; Our Lord ſays, why are ye ſo fearful, O ye of little Faith? There is great reaſon for Faith in God, no reaſon for fear what the World can do to you. Be not diſtracted by fear of worldly loſſes; thoſe ſhall not befal you, but when God ſees them beſt for you, and they ſhall turn to your trueſt gain. Be not diſtracted by fear of the Worlds hatred, and the effects of it; the Grace and Joy of the Holy Ghoſt, can be an hundredfold better even at preſent, than any worldly comfort that Man can deprive you of. If an enraged World can keep you off from the Lord's Service, he will have but little from you. Be not afraid therefore of their terrour, neither be troubled, but ſanctifie the Lord God in your hearts, … Pet. 3. 14, 15. and he has promiſed to be a Sanctuary to you. The fear of the Lyons Den, could not ſcare Daniel from the Throne of Grace, but he prayed and gave Thanks as he was wont before his God.

If this preſent World cannot command your love nor care, nor raiſe your fear, you p. 209will be mightily fortified againſt one very great cauſe of Diſtraction in Religious Services.

4. Another cauſe of Diſtraction, which I muſt caution you againſt, is Paſſion and Uncharitableneſs. Paſſion has a ſtrange and mighty force, to transform the whole Soul into it ſelf; ſo that if this prevail, not only Grace ſhall be under a dark Eclipſe; but even Judgment, and Reaſon, and common Prudence, ſhall ſeem to be altogether baniſhed. Paſſion imbitters, or rather invenoms the whole Heart of a Man, diffuſing it ſelf all over, ſo that all is under the power of it. Paſſion has a monopoly of the thoughts, and fixes them upon Injuries received; nay, though they are but imaginary injuries, yet being ſuppoſed real, how intent is the Mind upon them! Perhaps Revenge, though ſo contrary to the Nature of Chriſtianity, is wiſh'd for, and meditated. Patience indeed poſſeſſes the Soul, but Paſſion catches the Soul away, ſo that 'tis poſſeſt no longer; all the Powers and Faculties of the Soul, are diſturbed, and moſt diſorderly employed.

Paſſion riſes and lies down with the Paſſionate Man, and is a very bad Companion all the day long; and when Duties of Religion come to be performed, there is ſo much anger in the heart againſt Man, that God's anger is not feared nor ſeriouſly deprecated; neither is his love valued, or with any earneſtneſs deſired. As the furious Man abounds in tranſgreſſion, ſo his attendance upon God abounds in Diſtractions; and theſe Diſtractions being the overflowings of wrath, and bitterneſs, and hatred, p. 210how diſpleaſing and abominable muſt they needs be unto the God of Love!

Our Lord preſſes our reconciliation to our Brother, before we offer our Gifts unto God, Mat. 5. 24. Go thy way, firſt be reconciled to thy Brother, and then come and offer thy Gift. Whilſt thou refuſeſt to be reconciled to thy Brother, how canſt thou expect that God ſhould be reconciled to thee? Mat. 6▪ 15. But if ye forgive not Men their Treſpaſſes, neither will your Father forgive your Treſpaſſes. As Charity thinks no evil, ſo Uncharitableneſs thinks nothing elſe. It is ſevere in cenſuring, forward to judge, not fearing what is threatned, to be it ſelf judged, Mat. 7. 1. It hopes and believes nothing that is good, it bears and endures nothing that it pronounces to be bad, or in the leaſt injurious to it.

Nay ſometimes in Prayer, inſtead of the acting of Grace, uncharitableneſs will be expreſſed before the Lord himſelf; there are moſt unſeemly Complaints, impious Imprecations, and Deſires vented, that Divine Wrath may fall upon thoſe whom the paſſionate are angry with. But if they were ſo ſeverely puniſhed that offer'd ſtrange fire before the Lord, and fire come forth from the Lord and conſumed them; thoſe that offer this helliſh fire of furious and revengeful deſires, may well fear the vengeance of that fire that is eternal. If you give way to this ſinful anger, you give way to the Devil, and in this Chariot he will drive furiouſly your Hearts away from God, in the Duties you perform: but the more meek and p. 211compoſed and ſedate your Souls are, the Holy Ghoſt will the more delight to dwell in them, and to vouchſafe his aſſiſtance to you.

5. Another cauſe of diſtraction is the prevalency of infidelity. Faith is a coming to God by Chriſt Jeſus; Unbelief is a rejecting of this Mediatour, and the Hearts departing from the Lord: Take heed of unbelief, as that which ſtrikes at Religion in the very root, and blaſts and withers all the Fruits of it. Doubt not of the being of God, who gives being to all things that are, and who gave and upholds you in yours to this day. Doubt not of his all-ſeeing Eye, who fills Heaven and Earth with his preſence. Doubt not of his being ready to be found; all the true ſeed of Jacob, are witneſſes for God, that they have ſought his face, and that they have not ſought him in vain, Iſa. 45. 19. Doubt not of the promiſes in the Word, which thouſands of Saints have found accompliſhed unto their ſtrengthning, ſupply, and ſatisfaction: Doubt not of the Threatnings, which have ſo often taken hold of them who have boldly ventured upon the ſins threatned; ſo that they have been forced to ſay, Verily he is a God that judges in the Earth, and like as the Lord of Hoſts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, ſo hath he dealt with us, Zech. 1. 6.

If unbelief has place in you, and the great truths of the Goſpel are queſtioned, or not firmly aſſented to; how can you be ſerious in any Religious Service? How diſtracted muſt your thoughts needs be, when you queſtion p. 212whether the Lord has any regard what you do, or how you do it? This unbelief the great ſpoiler of your Performances, the Father of Lies endeavours to promote. He will indeed inject unbelieving thoughts into Hearts that have much Faith and Grace But as Bernard well ſays, Latrat ſolum cum ſuggerit, mordet cum ad conſenſum trahit. Satan does only bark when he does ſuggeſt, he bites when he gains the Hearts conſent. Oh never entertain ſuch Injections, never give the leaſt conſent that they ſhould lodge in you. Look upon them as errant falſhoods, which an Enemy peſters you with, out of a pernicious deſign; firmly believe the quite contrary truths, that that Belief may influence your Spirits, and make you more ſerious when you are before the Lord.

6. The workings of ſpiritual pride in the heart, are another cauſe of diſtraction which you are to beware of. It was a good obſervation of Auguſtine, that other iniquity diſcovers it ſelf in the doing of evil.

Superbia vero bonis operibus inſidiatur, ut pereant.

Pride lies in wait as it were about your good Works, to ſpoil the doing of them, that they may be loſt labour. This ſin ſhews it ſelf ſeveral ways, and upon all occaſions is apt to ſtir, to puff up and ſwell the Mind, with high and touring thoughts and imaginations. The Phariſee faſted twice a Week which implies Prayer and other Exerciſes of Religion, Luk. 18. 12. hereupon he became ſelf-conceited, and pride hindred p. 213his juſtification, for he placed his confidence in his own righteouſneſs. What a dangerous diſtraction is that, when theſe thoughts are fixed in thy Heart, that by thy Prayers, and other Duties thou canſt make an atonement for thy ſins, which can indeed be made alone by the ſatisfaction and interceſſion of the Lord Jeſus!

When the Heart is enlarged in Prayer, and good expreſſions come with great fluency from the Lips; how apt is he that prays to have high Conceits of himſelf, and of his Performances? His Mind is prone to wander, and to think what others think of him▪ and is ſinfully pleaſed in the imagination, that they are mightily pleaſed and taken with him; thus Pride draws off the Soul from God, to contemplate its own excellent Gifts, and others Admiration of them. Enlargements in holy Duties are very encouraging and comfortable, when we are humble under them, when we acknowledge the Spirits Grace in them, and though never ſo much enlarged, deſpair of acceptance but in Chriſt alone. But when theſe Enlargements are ſo advanced and put into Chriſt's place, that we reckon thoſe Bleſſings owing to enlargements, which are the fruit of Chriſt's merit and purchaſe; here is diſtracting Pride which draws off from Chriſt, and is very diſpleaſing to the Father. Such Thoughts as theſe. How well do I pray! How broken for ſin do I appear! How fervent in Spirit do I ſeem! What credit and applauſe ſhall I get by this Performance! What a choice and precious Saint ſhall I be accounted! Such Thoughts are apt to hover p. 214about an enlarged heart: but if they are not kept out with an utter deteſtation of them; the Heart will be diſtracted with helliſh Pride, how heavenly ſoever the expreſſions of the Mouth are.

And as you are to take heed of the Workings of Pride, ſo of every other ſin which does eaſily beſet you. If when you are confeſſing any fleſhly or worldly Luſt, it ſtirs in you, and your Hearts have ſome regard to it, and delightful Thoughts about it; this will diſtract your Prayer, and deafen God's Ear. Oh 'tis an ill thing to have the Heart reſolve to ſpare the ſin, which the Hypocritical Tongue does cry aloud, that it may be ſlain. That ſin which your Conſtitutions, Callings, or the Times in which you live, make you moſt prone to commit: Satan may in a ſpecial manner endeavour to invigorate, that it may be a great diſtraction and diſturbance to you in your attendance upon God. The Grace of God therefore ſhould make you moſt to watch againſt and hate that ſin, which Nature did moſt of all delight in, and love.

7. Another cauſe of diſtraction is, a zealous affection towards an erroneous way. Errours are of ſeveral ſorts, ſome are praeter fundamentum, off from the Foundation; others are circa fundamentum, about the Foundation; a third ſort are contra fundamentum, againſt, and raſe the very Foundation of Religion; theſe laſt are moſt dangerous. The broachers and ſpreaders of them are called, foreign, ravening Wolves that ſpare not the Flock; and truly the p. 215propagators, of leſſer Errors do a great deal of harm, they are called little Foxes, and are often very prejudicial eſpecially to young Converts, and prove a great hindrance to the good work begun in them: Therefore you read, Cant. 2. 15. Take us the Foxes, the little Foxes that ſpoil the Vines, for our Vines have tender Grapes. Errours, how do they excite the zeal of the Soul! And though they are but about ſmaller matters, yet they ſo command the Tongue and Thoughts, that they are more talk'd of and minded, than the great things of Law and Goſpel. Erroneous Opinions do ſo poſſeſs the Heart, that the main truths and things of Religion are little regarded. and leſs improved.

They that are very fond of Errour, when they are praying or hearing, or engaged in other Ordinances: Satan dreſſes up that error with a diſguiſe of truth, and ſo preſents it to their Minds, and their Minds are drawn away by the thoughts of it, and Ordinances are ineffectual and loſt to them. No wonder that zealots for Errour, are called, foreign, Jud. v. 13. wandring Stars; they wander from the way of truth, and this wandring makes them very much to wander from God in holy Duties, whilſt the eagerneſs of their Spirits, is after their miſtakes, in which they are ſo very confident.

Beguiled Souls are called unſtable, 2 Pet. 2. 14. the Apoſtle tells us, they are toſt to and fro, carried about with every wind of Doctrine. The unſettledneſs of their Judgments, and proneneſs to run from one errour to another, mightily p. 216diſtracts their Thoughts, and they are little, if at all ediſied by their Duties. Errours are very apt to knock at the Door, when you are attending upon God; and Satan is very buſie then to diſturb and diſtract you with Thoughts about them. The Lord would be ſerved with greater intention, if you did not trouble your Heads with doubtful Diſputations, which you are caution'd againſt, Rom. 14. 1. and if you did follow that counſel, 2 Pet. 3. 17. Beware leſt ye being led away with the errour of the wicked, fall from your own ſtedfaſtneſs.

8. The ſloth and lozineſs of the Heart, in refuſing to take pains with it ſelf to keep cloſe to God, is another cauſe of diſtraction; a cauſe it is, which moſt commonly prevails, there is therefore need of caution againſt it. The Work of the Heart with its own ſelf, is very hard Work indeed, in the doing of this to purpoſe, lies both the difficulty, and alſo the truth of Religion. To be wicked and deceitful, are the two bad properties of the Heart, which are natural to it; the wickedneſs of the Heart, makes it backward to come to God; the deceitfulneſs of the Heart makes it very ready to ſtart aſide like a deceitful Bow, and to fly off from him. Great pains and labour is abſolutely neceſſary to engage the Heart to approach to the Lord, and to abide with him. Theſe acceſſes to God are againſt nature; like rowing a Boat againſt a ſwift Stream, or rolling a Stone up a ſteep Hill. If the Oar be not plyed, the Stream carries the Boat back: let the Stone but a little alone to it ſelf, and how preſently, and p. 217how far will it run downward! The Poet obſerved the ſtrength of Natures inclination.

Naturam expellas furcâ licet, uſque recurret.

Uſe greateſt force' gainſt Natures Will,

It ſhall recoyl upon you ſtill.

There is need of conſtant care and induſtry, and the aid of ſupernatural Grace, elſe the Heart will never be brought to acquaint it ſelf with God, or to delight in Communion with him.

Take heed of ſloth in holy Duties, and careleſneſs of Spirit, which makes Men indifferent and unconcerned what frame their Hearts are in; as if in theſe diſtractions there were no great ſin or harm. The Pſalmiſt tells us, The Lord is in his holy Temple, the Lord's Throne is in Heaven, his Eyes behold, his Eyelids try the Children of Men, Pſal 11. 4. with a pleaſed Countenance, he does behold the upright Heart, but he frowns upon all careleſs Servants. Take heed of imagining there is no need of ſtriving again vain Thoughts in the Lord's Service. If theſe are allowed of, know that God allows not of them; and if they have place in you, what may they come to at laſt? The greateſt ſin that ever was committed, began with a Thought, and if the firſt Thought had been utterly baniſhed, the ſinful deſire had not been kindled, nor the Deed done

I have ſpoken of the cauſes of diſtraction, with great heed you are all of you to beware p. 218of them; for if you give way to theſe, they will corrupt all your Duties. I read in the old Law, that nothing that had a blemiſh was to be offer'd to God in Sacrifice; this ſhews, that Chriſt the great Sacrifice, was without blemiſh and without ſpot; and 'tis an intimation, what our Duties ought to be. But if Diſtractions, and the cauſes of them, are not taken heed of, your Services will be no better than a Sacrifice would have been, that had all the forbidden blemiſhes, Lev. 22. 22. Blind, broken, maimed, with Wens, Scurvy, and Scabbed; which muſt needs have been very hateful, if it had been offer'd to the Lord.

USE II. By way of expoſtulation. I ſhall expoſtulate the matter with you about theſe diſtractions in your Religious Performances.

1. Without diſtraction you can mind your Secular Affairs, and why ſhould you not be more intent and ſerious about your eternal concerns? What is a ſmall Cypher to the whole Circle of the Heavens? What is Time which is ended almoſt as ſoon as begun, to Eternity that will never end at all? Temporal Afflictions are light, and burthens only for a moment, 2 Cor. 4. 17. Temporal felicity is but a pleaſant and ſhort Dream, and is chaſed away as a night Viſion. But eternal Woes and Joys, are Woes and Joys indeed; they are perfectly poſſeſſed all at once, altogether; and as to the Woes, there can be no hope of any releaſe; as to the Joys, there is no room for any fear of deprivation.

p. 2192. Without diſtraction you can hear or read News, or a pleaſant Hiſtory; and is not a Religious Duty of far greater importance to you? Shall the pleaſing of the fancy be minded more than the ſecuring of the Soul? Shall the State of Affairs in this World be asked after, and will you not ſeriouſly inquire into your own Spiritual Eſtate? and mind what is likely to become of you, when you go into the other World; where you will be fixed in bleſſedneſs or miſery that will be unalterable?

3. Without diſtraction hertofore you have hearkned to the evil one, and with great ſtudiouſneſs contrived to commit ſin, and if the worſt Maſter was thus attended upon, ſhall not now the beſt much more? Have you not deviſed wickedneſs, and ſet your ſelves in an evil way? Pſal. 36. 4. and will you not now with as great thoughtfulneſs deviſe how to do good, and with an undiſtracted purpoſe ſet upon the doing of it? The Apoſtle would not only have you to change your Maſter, and being free from ſin, become Servants of Righteouſneſs, Rom. 6. 18. but as you ſerved ſin, ſo you ſhould ſerve righteouſneſs; be as forward, ſerious and diligent in holy Duties, as ever you were in the Works of darkneſs.

4. Without diſtraction you have thought upon injuries, and meditated revenge; and ſhall not reconciliation with God, and your own Salvation, be minded with greater intention? Thou think eſt much of the wrongs that others do to thee, think more of the injury thou haſt done to God's Juſtice, and how thou haſt ſinn'd p. 220againſt thine own Soul, in provoking his Wrath againſt thee, Jer. 7. 19. Do they provoke me to anger, ſaith the Lord? Do they not provoke themſelves to the confuſion of their own faces? Let the Thoughts, of the many many Talents which thou oweſt, ſwallow up the Thoughts of the few Pence which are owing thee.

5. How often, and for how long a time together, has meer Vanity commanded your Thoughts and Hearts? And will you not watch with your Lord; and in his Work for an hour? Proud Imaginations, ſilly Suppoſitions of your having that Wiſdom, Wealth, Excellency, and Eſteem, which you have not, have prevailed; and you have ſet your ſelves on high in your own fancies. Divers ſorts of Wickedneſſes, how fixed have they been in your Speculations! And why ſhould not your Spirits be much more fixed upon God, and your Duty towards him?

6. Food and Raiment, and providing for your Families are minded in good earneſt, and without diſtraction; and ſhould you not with far greater heedfulneſs ſeek the Kingdom of God and his Righteouſneſs? Why ſhould there be ſo much diſtraction in minding the one thing needful? If you do not mind the good part quickly, you may miſs of it eternally; it may ſoon be too late to ſeek it. But if now you chuſe it, your Hearts being ſeriouſly ſet upon it, you ſhall have it, and that good part ſhall never be taken away from you, Luke 10. 42.

p. 221USE III. Shall be of Direction, I am to direct you to proper Remedies againſt diſtraction in Religious Performances. The Diſeaſe, I grant is difficult to be cured; but with the great Phyſician, no Diſtemper is impoſſible to be healed. Having therefore your Eye and dependance upon him, uſe theſe following Remedies.

1. Let your firſt Thoughts every Morning be always good ones. An Heart well ſeaſoned with theſe in the beginning of the day, is likely to be in the better frame in holy Duties, and better inclined all the day long. As ſoon as you are awake, let your Souls work Heaven-ward, and be lifted up to the God that is there. Such Souls he is pleaſed with, and delights to communicate his Grace unto. If the Lord has the firſt fruits of your Hearts, the firſt thoughts and deſires, you are likely to be bleſt with the better thoughts and deſires afterwards; as of old the firſt-fruits being offered to God, his Bleſſing was upon the whole Harveſt. And tho you do take pains with your Hearts in the Morning, remember, at no time of the day you muſt let down your Watch, and become utterly regardleſs of your own Spirits; for if you are, corruption will quickly, though it has had never ſo great a Check, return, and that with great force and violence. Thus when the Sea fled, and Jordan was driven back, within a little while they both returned to their former Courſe and Channel.

p. 222When I awake, ſays the Pſalmiſt, I am ſtill with thee, Pſal. 139 18. He ſaw himſelf under God's ſpecial care, and compaſſed with his favour as with a Shield; and God's Thoughts about him ſo full of tender mercy and loving kindneſs, and amounting to ſo vaſt a Sum, were very precious and delightful to him to think of. And how whenever he awaked, did his Heart work towards the Lord, in a way of gratitude and love! Begin the Day well, and all the Day long keep your Hearts with all keeping. If you would not have your Thoughts vain in Duty, let them not be allowed to be vain at any time. In the ſpace of time between your ſolemn Duties, be frequent in holy Ejaculations, and mental Applications unto God, this will mightily help to keep a ſenſe of him upon your Hearts, and the more undiſtracted will your Service be, when at your ſet times every day you attend upon him.

2. Be ſenſible that the preparation of the heart in Man is from the Lord, Prov. 16. 1. Look unto him therefore to prepare your Hearts for every Duty you engage in. Cries for preparation ſhould be the firſt Cries, and Cries afterwards are likely to be to better purpoſe. Preparation for Duty goes before profit by it; and when the Lord vouchſafes to prepare, he intends to beſtow benefits His preparation cauſes Prayer to be ſo ſeriouſly and fervently made, as that it ſhall in no wiſe meet with a denial, Pſal. 10. 17. Thou wilt prepare their Heart, thou wilt cauſe thy Ear to hear. In this preparation, the Spirit of the Lord affords a p. 223mighty help; there is a liberty and freedom to the Duty that is to be performed; and the more free the Heart is to the Duty, the more free and enlarged 'tis likely to be in the Duty. Clogs and weights are removed; and among theſe clogs, diſtraction and deadneſs may well be reckoned.

**The prepared heart is a fully reſolved heart, and an holy and firm reſolution made in a ſtrength beyond our own, will mightily help to baniſh diſtraction.The prepared Heart by the Spirit and Grace of Chriſt, is diſentangled from the World, ſtands aloof from it, that it may draw the nearer to God. It is made to ſee how worthy ſin is of its moſt bitter Sorrow, and utter deteſtation, and with an holy indignation, it ſays, What have I to do any more with any of my iniquities? The prepared Heart prizes the Bleſſings 'tis about to petition for, and longs to appear before God, from whom alone they can be obtained. 'Tis delivered from the vain and injudicious Spirit of this World, and by the Spirit which is of God, knows the worth of thoſe things which are ſo freely given of God. And this preparedneſs of Heart, muſt needs be a great preſervative againſt diſtraction.

3. Pray for the fulfilling of that Promiſe, wherein the Lord has engaged to give you an heart to know him. They that are ignorant of God, muſt needs be ignorant alſo how to attend upon him. If their knowledge be only notional, and they know him not as they ought to know him, they will not attend upon him, as they ought to attend upon him. Lay hold therefore p. 224upon that good Word of Promiſe, Jer. 24. 7. And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord, and they ſhall be my People, and I will be their God, for they ſhall return to me with their whole heart. And Heb. 8. 11. They ſhall all know me, from the leaſt to the greateſt. This knowledge of God will have a mighty influence upon your Hearts, to bring your very Thoughts into captivity and obedience, 2 Cor. 10. 5. We read, 1 Sam. 2. 3. That the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed, and they who rightly know this, will take care to ſerve him in ſincerity.

True knowledge of God will bring a great awe of him upon your Spirits. His Majeſty, Glory, Holineſs, will ſtrike you into great humility and reverence. How will you be emptied of your ſelves, and your Souls and Thoughts ſwallowed up in God, when he does cauſe his Excellency to paſs before you! The appearance of the Lord obſcures and darkens all things elſe, that they are counted not worth minding Therefore the Prophet ſays, Iſa. 24. 23. Then the Moon ſhall be confounded, and the Sun aſhamed, when the Lord of Hoſts ſhall reign in Mount Zion and in Jeruſalem, and before his Ancients gloriouſly. The Eye of this God whom you attend upon, is jealous; and yet withal it is all▪ ſeeing. Oh take heed of being deceived, as if God would be mocked by Man, and Man not be the worſe, nor ſmart for it. Gal. 6. 7. Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatſoever a Man ſoweth, that ſhall he alſo reap. If thy Duties are only like a ſowing of meer Chaff, how canſt thou p. 225expect to reap any good by them? The good Angels themſelves do reverence the Lord, whom you are worſhipping; the Apoſtate ones tremble before him; the better you know him, the more godly your fear will be, and fear will unite your Hearts and Thoughts both to God, and to the Work and Duty he requires.

4. Be very careful to cheriſh the Grace of Hope in your Hearts, and look upon holy Duties as highly valuable Priviledges: the greater your expectation is of the trueſt benefit and advantage, the more intent and fixed will your Thoughts be. The Apoſtle prays to the God of hope; for the believing Romans, that they might abound in hope by the power of the Holy Ghoſt. Rom. 15. 13. Hope has an earneſt expectation, and the better the things are, which are hoped for, ſtill the more earneſt the expectation is; this the Apoſtle calls, foreign, an emphatical word, and ſignifies to look for a thing with an Head lifted up, and with great intention both of Eyes and Mind. Such an Hope what a remedy would it be againſt Diſtraction! When Hope is very low, the Mind runs very much upon matter of diſcouragement; and is deadned by it. And the beſt things of all being almoſt deſpaired of, the Heart is the apter to wander after things that cannot profit; but Hope is compared to an Anchor, Heb. 6. 19. Which hope we have as an Anchor of the Soul, both ſure and ſtedfaſt, it keeps the Soul ſteddy and fixed upon what is hoped for, till it be enjoyed.

Duties are not only to be engaged in, as what are due to God, but we are to be perſwaded, p. 226that the giving what is due to God, is the way to receive ſtill more and more from him. In theſe Duties, our Hopes ſhould be high in him that is moſt high, we are not able to conceive how much he can do for us. We are to hope in him as a moſt liberal and all-ſufficient Giver; we are to expect the yearning of his Bowels in our Diſtreſſes and Afflictions, and eſpecially when we are weary and heavy laden with the burthen of our Iniquities. We are to expect the unlocking of the unſearchable Riches of Chriſt, which are enough to enrich the whole beggar'd progeny of Adam; and all that come to him ſhall certainly experience the Riches and fulneſs of that Grace that dwells in him. The Ploughman plows in hope, and hope fixes his Thoughts upon the precious Fruits of the Earth, which in Harveſt he expects to reap. Oh ſtudy the Promiſes of God, which are exceeding broad; they are wider than the Earth and Sea, and they reach as high as the higheſt Heaven. Hope for the promiſed Bleſſings which are of all ſorts Temporal, Spiritual, Eternal; and the more ſtrong and lively hope is, it will the more fix your Mind, revive your Spirits, and quicken your Deſires.

5. Another Remedy againſt Diſtraction, is a fervent Love. As love is the firſt and great Command, ſo 'tis a moſt commanding affection: Amor meus pondus meum. Love is the weight which ſets all the Wheels a going, and inclines them that way which it ſelf is inclined. The Soul of Man has been by ſome affirmed to p. 227be ubi amat, non ubi animat, where it loves, and on the object beloved, rather than in the Body, which is the Tabernacle where it dwells; and the reaſon is, becauſe Love does ſo command the Mind and Thoughts after it. If your love be ſet upon God, Love will ſet your Thoughts upon him. The Thoughts of the Covetous▪ how are they intent upon their beloved gain! and the Pleaſures which the voluptuous doat on, are hardly ever out of their Mind! If love to God conſtrain you to attend upon God, it will bring your Thoughts along with it, and very much reſtrain them from wandring.

The Love of God can never be produced by corrupt Nature, nor by the meer force of reaſon, 'tis a ſpecial Grace of the Lord's Spirit, and to him you muſt make application for it. Chriſt died that he might bring you to God, and Love is the going of the Soul to him. In the Name of Chriſt put up your earneſt Petitions, that this Grace of Love may be wrought in you in truth; and being wrought, that it may continually be increaſed. The Lord ſays, he will write his Laws in your Hearts; Oh pray that this great Command to love him, may be written in deep and laſting Characters; and if the Lord once become your deſire and delight: the Duties you perform, will become more pleaſant and delightful and undiſtracted. God is light, and in him there is no darkneſs, nothing but what is deſirable. All Excellencies in the Creatures are derived from him, and the Streams are but little if we look to the Fountain from whence they all come. This p. 228God, as excellent and glorious as he is, is willing in Chriſt to be yours: Such lovelineſs! Such loving▪ kindneſs; what Love does it call for from you! Let nothing be able to draw away your Love, and the leſs will your Thoughts be drawn away from him.

6. Be very poor in Spirit: A preſſing ſenſe of your ſpiritual Neceſſities, will make you very intent and ſerious in begging Supplies from above, for 'tis from thence alone you can be ſupplied. They that are pinched with Poverty, how much do they think how poor they are! They have ſuch a ſmart feeling of their Needs, they can ſcarce think of any thing beſides. The condemned Malefactor, when he cries for a Pardon, and has hopes to ſpeed, ſurely the apprehenſion of his danger, makes his Words and his Thoughts to go together. When the Man almoſt famiſhed asks for Bread, no doubt his Mind is very much upon that Bread which may prevent his ſtarving. Be you but ſenſible how great the Needs of your Souls are, and that 'tis the Father of Spirits only, who can give you the mercy and grace which you need; and the more of ſenſe you have, the leſs diſtracted will you be in your Applications to him.

Our Lord pronounces the poor in Spirit bleſſed, Mat. 5. 3. their Petitions come from an inward ſenſe of their want, and of the worth of Bleſſings, and being earneſt Petitioners, they ſhall be ſucceſsful ones. You that feel your guilt, and fear Divine Wrath, muſt needs think of a Pardon, and the deſirableneſs of it, when you ask for it. You that are ſenſible of p. 229your Maladies, how intent will your Minds be upon the Lord the healer of his People! And you will have little liſt to think of ſomething elſe, when you are begging to be cured! True poverty of Spirit will conſtrain to an undiſtracted ſeeking of that Gold tried in the fire to enrich you, and that white Raiment to cover you, Rev. 3. 18. without which you muſt needs be wretched and miſerable, becauſe you will be poor and naked.

7. Let Conſcience be very tender, vigilant and faithful. Such a Conſcience will be very helpful to prevent diſtraction, or quickly to put an end to it. It will obſerve, and fetch home the Truant, and ſtraying Thoughts, and bring them to your Duties. **I diſtinguiſh between a tender Conſcience and a ſcrupulous one, for a ſcrupulous Conſcience is a great cauſe of diſtraction; for Scruples are moſt apt to run in and peſter the Mind when holy Duties are performing.Conſcience acts in God's Name, by his Authority, and urges Obedience to his Laws, and much inſiſts, if it be truly enlightned and faithful, upon the right manner of obeying. Conſcience takes ſtrict notice of the whole Soul and all the actings of it; and this Officer of God, eſpecially does this, in the Souls approaches to the Lord; a ſenſe of being under God's Eye, makes the faithful Conſciences Eye more ſtrict and ready to ſpy all faults, that they may preſently be amended. In holy Duties, ſuch a Conſcience will be very buſie, it will earneſtly proteſt againſt vain and diſtracting Thoughts; and it will ſay, What make ſuch thoughts here, p. 230when God and his Work ought only to be minded? The preſence of evil when good is doing, ſuch a Conſcience cannot brook with Patience, it ſtirs up the luſtings of the Spirit, againſt thoſe of the Fleſh, that the Law of the Mind may prevail more againſt the Law in the Members, Rom. 7. 23.

If Conſcience is aſleep in your Performances, how ſorry and ſinful will they be! The Heart will be dead, the Thoughts will be gone far away, no holy Affections will be ſtirring. Pray hard for a good Conſcience, a Conſcience not only purged by the Blood of Chriſt from all the guilt which by dead Works you have contracted, but alſo by the ſame Blood healed of its Sleepineſs, Stupidity, and all other faults of it.

And that Conſcience may more effectually check your Hearts from roving, and trifling in attendance upon God, look before you with the Eye of ſtrong and ſteddy Faith, and ſee as far as Death and Judgment, and into Eternity; and then do you judge, whether for your careleſly performed Duties, your Lord will ſay, Well done true and faithful Servants! The Apoſtle having lookt as far as his own, and alſo the World's laſt Day, wherein the Heaven ſhall paſs away with a great noiſe, the Elements melt with fervent heat, and the Earth and the Works therein ſhall be burnt up, rationally infers, that Chriſtians Converſations ſhould be very well ordered, Duties of Godlineſs moſt undiſtractedly and ſeriouſly performed. Seeing then that all theſe things ſhall be diſſolved, p. 231what manner of Perſons ought ye to be in all holy Converſation and Godlineſs! 2 Pet. 3. 10, 11.

8. Another Remedy againſt Diſtraction, is growing in Grace, and in the knowledge of Chriſt, 2 Pet. 3. 18. This will keep you from being led away by errour, and will make you more ſtedfaſt in Duty, as well as Truth. When Grace ſhall be perfected in Glory, diſtraction will be perfectly cured: and here on Earth the Cure is advanced, as Grace is augmented. The more Grace you have, you will ſet the higher value upon Communion with God; and this will fill your Hearts with holy Zeal and Indignation againſt every thing that may divert your Minds, and be an obſtruction to this Communion▪ The more Grace you have, the more you are filled with the Spirit; and when you pray in the Holy Ghoſt, your Prayer will be foreign, in-wrought Prayer, Jam. 5. 16. How much of the Heart and Soul will be therein! And the ſame Spirit in hearing, and other Ordinances, will keep your Hearts with God, when they are about to turn to the right hand or to the left Iſa. 30. 21. The more Grace you have, the more your Treaſure will be in Heaven; and you are told, Mat. 6. 21. Where your treaſure is, there will your hearts be alſo.

Now that there may be an increaſe of Grace, Chriſt muſt be better known, for 'tis from him that the firſt Grace is derived, and all additional degrees of it. Study him more, and underſtand his fulneſs, who fills all in all, Eph. 1. 23. Deſire with the Apoſtle, that you p. 232may know him, and the power of his Reſurrection, and the fellowſhip of his Sufferings, being made conformable to his Death, Pſal. 3. 10. If you conform to the Death of Chriſt, and are crucified and dead to the World, and the World to you, the things of the World will appear without form and comelineſs, and will be leſs able to diſtract your Minds, and enſnare your Affections. And if you feel the Power of Chriſt's Reſurrection, your Hearts and Thoughts will riſe with him, and at what a rate will you ſeek thoſe things that are above! The Angels when here on Earth, they are doing what God commands them, and are in Heaven ſtill as to their Thoughts, and as to the Happineſs they enjoy. You ſhould be heavenly when about your earthly buſineſs, but eſpecially when you are attending upon the God of Heaven. And the more experimentally you underſtand Chriſt riſen, the leſs will things on Earth be minded, and the higher will your Hearts riſe and aſcend after him.

9. Ever commit the keeping of your Souls to God himſelf in well-doing, 1 Pet. 4. 19. Apprehending how liable you are to diſtraction in his Service, intreat that he would undertake for you. He that ſpans the Heavens, and in his Hand does hold the Winds, ſo that they ſtir not in the leaſt againſt his Will, certainly is able to keep your Hearts undiſtracted in your Duties, and cloſe to himſelf. The Lord makes and ſearches, and new makes and fixes the Heart of Man; and none of this is to be done, by any power leſs than his. When David's p. 233Soul followed hard after God, he acknowledged it was the Lord's own right hand which upheld him, Pſal. 63. 8. Call in help from Heaven againſt diſtraction, if you would be helpt effectually. The Chriſtian, not only when he is leaving the World, but when he is engaging in any Religious Duty, ſhould ſay with the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 31. 5. Into thy Hands, O Lord, I commit my Spirit. He, and he alone can keep it in a ſerious and compoſed frame.

USE IV. Shall be of Counſel as to ſome particular Duties, which I ſhall inſiſt on, and ſhew you how they may with leſs diſtraction, be performed. And there are four Duties which at preſent I ſhall ſpeak of.

The firſt is, Reading the Holy Scriptures.

The ſecond is, Hearing the Word Preached.

The third is, The Duty of Prayer.

The fourth is, Communicating at the Lord's Table.

Of theſe in order.

I begin with Reading the Holy Scriptures, and that theſe may be read with leſs diſtraction.

1. Be firmly perſwaded of the Scriptures Divine Authority and Verity. When you take the Bible to look into it, remember 'tis a Book of God's own making you have in your hands. The Writers of it were but his Penmen, they wrote not their own, but God's Mind and Will, and were moved and inſpired by the Holy p. 234Ghoſt: To be diſtracted and regardleſs of what you read, is to contemn God in diſregarding his Word. Mind what you read, for the Scripture can make you wiſe to Salvation, 2 Tim. 3. 15. You may ſecurely truſt to his Word, its light is infallible, 'tis certain in its Promiſes and Threatnings, 'twill by all be found true to eternity. The word of the Lord endures for ever, 1 Pet. 1. 25.

2. Believe the Scriptures perfection and ſufficiency, as a means moſt full and plain to guide you to everlaſting bleſſedneſs. Here you are faithfully warned to flee from the Wrath to come, and from ſin which does deſerve it, and here you may find God's Counſel, by which you may be guided ſafe to Glory, Pſal. 73. 24. You need not be diſtracted and doubtful in your own Minds, as if in the Scriptures God's Mind was declared only in part. Man's additions are needleſs, nay impious, Prov. 30. 6. Add thou not unto his Words, leſt he reprove thee, and thou be found a Liar; and Mens Traditions are vain. Heed the Word of God, as that which enlightens the Eyes, converts the Soul, rejoyces the Heart; as that which is profitable for Doctrine, Reproof, for Correction, inſtruction in Righteouſneſs, that the Man of God may be perfect, throughly furniſhed unto all good works, 2 Tim. 3. 16, 17.

3. Look upon the Scriptures as much directed to you in particular, and laying an obligation upon you; as if they had dropt from God out of Heaven into your hand. The word forbids ſin in you, as well as in any other in the World; p. 235the Commands of it reach you, as truly as if you had heard the Lord calling to you by Name, to yield Obedience. The offers of the Goſpel are really made to you, and upon acceptance; the Bleſſings offered are your own: if they are refuſed, how can you ecape the Wrath of him, who from Heaven ſpeaks to you for your good? Heb. 12. 25. That ſuch a particular application ſhould be made, is ſignified by Solomon, whoſe word is as a Goad and a Nail faſtned, to ſtir you up to your Duty, and to ſettle you in it, Prov. 22. 19, 20. That thy truſt may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even unto thee. Have I not written to thee excellent things in counſels and knowledge?

4. See the Lord himſelf juſt by you when you read his Word; and hear him bidding you take heed how you read. As he has magnified his Word above all his Name, ſo he requires a ſpecial regard ſhould be had to it. He looks with approbation and pleaſure upon that Man who trembles at his Word, Iſa. 66. 2. but when he perceives inſtruction to be hated, and that his Law is caſt behind the Back, he admoniſhes ſuch forgetters of God to conſider what this neglect will coſt them, if not repented of, and he threatens to tear them in pieces, ſo as that there ſhall be none to deliver, Pſal. 50. 17. 22.

5. Lift up your Eyes to Heaven for inſtruction from the Spirit, by whoſe inſpiration the Scripture was given. 'Tis the Spirit of Chriſt who opens Mens Ʋnderſtandings to underſtand p. 236the Scriptures, Luke 24. 45. Be humbly ſenſible of your ignorance, and proneneſs to error and miſtake: A promiſe is made to the humble and meek, that God will guide them in Judgment; ſo that they ſhall judge aright of things, and he will teach them his way, Pſal. 25. 9. Cry to the Lord to make you mind what you read, and to profit by what you mind. Deſire Scripture knowledge, that what you know, may have a deep impreſſion upon your Spirits, may excite holy and gracious Affections and Reſolutions in your Hearts, and be mightily effectual unto the more thorow amending of your ways and doings.

6. In all your ways ſeek for light from the holy Scriptures, that every ſtep you take may be rightly ordered. Go not in any way, which the word of truth calls a falſe way. How well and wiſely does he walk, that can ſay with the Pſalmiſt, Thy Word is a Lamp to my Feet, and a light unto my Path! Pſal. 119. 105. When you go, let this Word lead you, and then when you ſleep there is a promiſe to keep you, and when you awake it will talk with you, and be telling you what you muſt avoid, believe and do, that you may be bleſſed for ever. The Commandment is a Lamp, and the Law is light, and the reproofs of inſtruction are the way of Life, Prov. 6. 22, 23.

And as the Word talks to you, ſo you ſhould talk of the word you read; it will fix it in your Thoughts and Hearts the better, and make your Diſcourſe more edifying to others, Deut. 6, 6, 7. And theſe words which I command p. 237thee this Day, ſhall be in thy heart; and thou ſhalt diligently teach them to thy Children, and ſhalt talk of them when thou ſitteſt in thy Houſe, and when thou walkeſt by the way, and when thou lieſt down, and when thou riſeſt up. The more the word is written in your Hearts, the more Grace is there; and the more thou talkeſt of it unto them thou converſeſt with, the more it will adminiſter Grace to the Hearers.

The ſecond Duty is hearing the Word preached: And that you may hear the word with leſs diſtraction:

1. Look beyond Preachers unto that God who ſends them, and ſpeaks to you by them. Look beyond the earthen Veſſels, unto the Treaſure which they bring; and upon the Word that is preached, as the glorious Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt, who is the Image of God, 2 Cor. 4. 4, 7. Preachers of the Goſpel are Chriſt's Ambaſſadors, and they are ſent to treat with you about Peace with God, and by them God beſeeches you to be reconciled, 2 Cor. 5. 20. How beautiful ſhould you count the Feet of them who preach the Goſpel of Peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Rom. 10. 15. Such Tidings are too good, diſtractedly and heedleſly to be heard: And he that ſends them is too great to be thus contemned. When you ſit before the Miniſters of Chriſt, and the Stewards of the Myſteries of God, remember what our Lord himſelf ſays, Luke 10. 16. He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that deſpiſeth p. 238you, deſpiſeth me; and he that deſpiſeth me, deſpiſeth him that ſent me.

2. Apprehend who are ready if you hear diſtractedly and without care, to catch away the Word from you as ſoon as 'tis ſpoken. Evil Angels are compared to the Fowls of the Air, who hover about the Sower, to devour the Seed as ſoon as it is ſown, Luk. 8. 5. Theſe evil Spirits are fitly compared to Fowls, for they are many; and how do they come flocking into our Religious Aſſemblies! 'Tis deſirable, to have Souls come flying to Chriſt, as Doves to their Windows; but it may ſtartle us to underſtand that Devils came flocking into Churches, to catch away the Word which is preached there! Theſe Enemies as they are many, ſo as Fowls they are above us; and conſequently not ſo eaſie is it to reſiſt them! How many Sermons have theſe evil Angels ſtolen! And the Sermons they have ſtolen, they have them to ſhew againſt heedleſs Hearers at the Day of reckoning.

3. Make a Covenant with your Eyes, that your hearing may be the leſs diſtracted and more attentive. Fix not your ſight upon any alluring and enſnaring Objects, or any thing which may divert you. And as your Eyes muſt be turned away from beholding Vanity, that you may be quickned in the way of your Duty, ſo be ſure to keep your Eyes waking. If ſleep locks up the Senſes, how faſt muſt the Heart the mean time be barr'd againſt the Word of God! Eutichus a Church Sleeper, is an Example upon Record, ſinking down p. 239with ſleep while Paul was preaching, he fell down and was taken up dead, Act. 20. 9. They that ſleep at a Sermon, ſcandalouſly reject and deſpiſe the word preached: Satan is a moſt wakeful Witneſs againſt them, and his Arms are the Cradle in which they are rockt.

4. Beg that the Lord himſelf would open your Hearts to attend to his Word. It was he who opened the Heart of Lydia, and then ſhe attended to thoſe things which were ſpoken by Paul, Acts 16. 14. 'Tis the Lord that makes way for the Word into the Mind, that it may be heeded and underſtood; and he makes way for the Word into the Heart, that the Heart may be changed and cleanſed thereby, Joh. 15. 3. Now are ye clean through the Word which I have ſpoken unto you. 'Tis dreadful to provoke the Lord, ſo as to be like unto provoking Iſrael; to whom Moſes ſpeaks thus, Deut. 29. 4. The Lord hath not given you an Heart to perceive, and Eyes to ſee, and Ears to hear unto this Day, And it will be worſe if you love to have it thus ſtill. O think thus, that diſtracted hearing may cauſe the word of Life to become deadly to you; and God may judicially and yet juſtly harden your Hearts, leſt you ſhould ſee, and hear, and underſtand, and convert and be healed, Iſa▪ 6. 10.

5. Let the word preached be mixt with Faith, and received with Love. The Apoſtle tells us, that the Word preached did not profit the hearers of it, not being mix'd with Faith in them that hear'd it, Heb. 4. 2. Commands will be heeded and obeyed, that are indeed believed p. 240to be of God. Threatnings and Promiſes that are moſt firmly credited, cannot but be minded, and have a mighty influence. The Word alſo is to be received in the Love of it, that you may be ſaved. The deſign of this Word is your deliverance from ſin and miſery, your Peace, your Purity and Perfection, your eternal Redemption and Glory; and therefore it commends it ſelf exceedingly to your Aflections: A ſincere love to the Word, will command the Thoughts of the Heart, and hinder the Word from being diſregarded.

6. Remember that the Word which you hear, is your Life. There is a careleſneſs of life, in heedleſneſs and diſtraction in hearing the Word of God, Deut. 32. 46, 47. Set your hearts unto all the Words which I teſtifie among you this Day; for it is not a vain thing for you, for it is your Life, Prov. 7. 2. Keep my Commandments and live, and my Law as the Apple of your Eye, Iſa. 55. 3. Incline your Ear, come unto me, hear, and your Soul ſhall live; and I will make with you an everlaſting Covenant, even the ſure Mercies of David.

And further to fix your attention to the Word preached, be all of you perſwaded, that you who are now in the Sanctuary, muſt ſhortly ſtand at the Judgment-Seat of Chriſt, and the Word which he has ſpoken, the ſame ſhall judge you at the laſt day, Joh. 12. 48. Then you muſt render an account of your Stewardſhip, and how all your Talents have been improved, and you muſt be judged, and receive according to your Works. And ſure I am, that the p. 241Sentence which will then be pronounced, whether it be of Abſolution, Come ye Bleſſed; or of Condemnation, Go ye Curſed; cannot but be heard without diſtraction. Both the one and the other of theſe Sentences muſt needs be heeded by all upon whom they are paſſed; the one being ſo very comfortable, and the other ſo terrible and confounding.

A third Duty which I ſhall inſiſt on, is Prayer; now that you may with leſs diſtraction call upon the Name of God.

1. Conſider whoſe Name it is you are taking into your Mouths, Deut. 28. 58. That glorious▪ and fearful Name, THE LORD THY GOD. A Name which ſhould never be in the Lips, without the profoundeſt Reverence in the Heart. The Gods that made not the Heavens and the Earth, ſhall periſh from the Earth, and from under theſe Heavens But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlaſting King; at his Wrath the Earth doth tremble, and the Nations ſhall not be able to abide his indignation, Jer. 10. 10, 11. This God whom you pray to, is infinitely more above you, than the greateſt Emperour is above the meaneſt Worms that crawl upon the ground! How ſhould you look to the frame of your Spirits when you are before him! The Paſſion of fear calls in the Blood to the Heart, that the Vitals may be fortified, and truly the Grace of fear will call in the Thoughts of the Heart, that Duties performed to ſo great a Majeſty, may not be an heedleſs trifling with him.

p. 2422. Sequeſter your ſelves from other buſineſs to intend Prayer; the more you are diſentangled from your Secular Affairs, the more free and fit your Hearts will be to be poured out before the Lord in your ſupplications. The further you ſtep out and off from the World, when you come to knock at Heaven Gates, the more certainly will the Door be opened to you. If Mammon has your Thoughts and Deſires, when you are praying to God, you have a jealouſie provoking Idol in your Hearts, while in his Preſence; and how offenſive muſt this needs be to him, to ſee an Idol there, where he chuſes to dwell! One thing, ſays the Pſalmiſt, have I deſired of the Lord, that will I ſeek after, Pſal. 27. 4. Other things were eſteemed worthleſs comparatively. Let not other matters diſtract you when you are calling upon God, that you may pray in Prayer, and do nothing elſe but pray. Remember, diſtracted Confeſſions increaſe Guilt and Wrath; diſtracted Petitions ask for a denial, and diſtracted Praiſes will tend very much unto the ſtopping of the Current of Mercies.

3. Be perſwaded that the Lord will attentively mind what you pray, if you intently mind what you pray for your ſelves. He takes pleaſure in uprightneſs, and this Heart-ſearcher well knows who are ſincere; and not ſo much as a Sigh or Groan from a ſincere Soul, ſhall be diſregarded. If you from your Heart cry for Mercy, Mercy ſhall compaſs you about, Pſal. 32. 10. The Prophet tells us, That the p. 243Lord hearkned and heard, Jer. 8. 6. Indeed moſt ſpeak not aright, they repent not of their wickedneſs, ſaying, what have we done? But thoſe who do ſpeak aright, and being truly ſenſible of the evil of their doings, fervently pray to have their ſins covered, and all their defilements purged away: The Lord who hearkens ſo attentively, will ſurely hear all ſuch Cries, and in no wiſe deny what is cryed for. Believe the mighty efficacy of fervent Prayer, and what rich returns this Trading to Heaven brings in, and what Treaſures Prayer is a Key to unlock, that you may be enriched thereby! A ſacred coveting theſe unſearchable Riches, will make you mind what you are doing when you are praying to partake of them; and the Apoſtle tells you, for your encouragement, Rom. 10. 12. There is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the ſame Lord over all, is rich unto all that call upon him.

4. Cry earneſtly for the holy Spirit of Promiſe: You will never pray aright, or to any purpoſe, without his aid. The Holy Ghoſt is called the Spirit of Grace, becauſe all true Grace is from him, and ſo are all gracious deſires and actings. He is alſo called the Spirit of Supplication, all acceptable Confeſſions, Petitions, and Thankſgivings, are of his enditing. And this Spirit is promiſed; and how ready is our heavenly Father to give the Spirit to any that ask him! Now we read that he which ſearcheth the heart, knoweth what is the Mind of the Spirit, for he maketh interceſſion for p. 244the Saints, accorning to the Will of God, Rom. 8. 27. Saints Prayers, are called the Mind of the Spirit; he makes them to be according to the Will of God; and that not only as to the matter of them, but alſo as to the manner: The Spirit of God at firſt moved upon the face of the Waters; and how many uſeful Creatures did he produce out of a Chaos of Confuſion! And if that Spirit move upon your Hearts in Prayer, he can keep your Thoughts that they ſtir not from God, and cauſe Faith, and godly Sorrow and Hope, Humility and Love, to be in actual exerciſe; and the more Grace is exerciſed: Prayer will be the leſs diſtracted and more ſucceſsful.

5. Let Vigilancy and watching go before, keep pace with Prayer, and follow after it. Why has a Chriſtian new Eyes and Light, but that he might watch with the one, and by the other? Our Lord joyned watching and praying together; Prayer without watching will be heartleſs, watching without Prayer, will be inſufficient for your ſecurity. Watching with Prayer makes it more ſerious, and to ſucceed the better. The Apoſtle ſays, The end of all things is at hand, be ye therefore ſober and watch unto Prayer, 1 Pet. 4. 7. Watching unto Prayer, ſummons the whole Soul with all its Faculties to attend upon God, and to prepare to meet him. We alſo read, Col. 4. 2. Continue in Prayer, and watch in the ſame with Thankſgiving. Watching in Prayer, is a mighty help againſt the Heart's ſtraggling: This ſtraggling is the ſooner obſerved, and p. 245the ſtraggling Thoughts preſently reduced. And he that watches after Prayer, diligently and with all thankfulneſs obſerves the Anſwers of Prayer. And thus to do, will ſtrongly induce you to give your ſelves more to Prayer in good earneſt, and to wreſtle with him, with whom you do ſo often prevail.

The fourth and laſt Duty I ſhall mention, is Communicating at the Lord's Table; and that this may be done with leſs diſtraction.

1. Let there be more ſerious ſelf-examination before you engage in that holy Ordinance. 1 Cor. 11. 28. But let a Man examine himſelf, and ſo let him eat of that Bread, and drink of that Cup. Look into the State of your Souls, and your State is good, if you know the true God ſo as to love him and prefer him in your choice before all things beſides; and if you know Chriſt, ſo as to rely upon him, with conſent to be ruled by him, as your Lord and Saviour, Joh. 17. 3. This is life eternal thus to know the only true God, and Jeſus Chriſt whom he has ſent.

Take great notice alſo ofRemember that Chriſt himſelf is really preſent at his Table; and his Eye, which is as a flame of fire, obſerves the frame of every heart. Fix your Eye upon your own Hearts, ſince Chriſt's Eye is upon them. the preſent frame of your Hearts, that you may know in what Graces they are weakeſt, and what kind of Luſtings of the Fleſh are apteſt to prevail; and what things they are which are moſt likely to diſtract your Minds, and draw away your p. 246Hearts, when at the Table; your watch hereupon will be the ſtricter, and your thoughts will run the more upon the particular Graces that are to be ſtrengthened, and upon the ſins too, which are to be ſtruck more dead by the power of the Death and Crucifixion of Chriſt Jeſus.

2. Let the Death of Chriſt, put you in mind what you were and would have been ſtill, if he had not died for you, you would have been dead in Law, under the damnatory Sentence of it; and you would have been dead in Treſpaſſes, dead to God, and to any thing that is truly good; employed in nothing but dead works, and thereby fitted to deſtruction. And how ſhould your Thoughts be ſeized on by the obligation your Lord has laid you under, in freeing you from Death and eternal Deſtruction, by laying down his own Life a ranſom for you! Mat. 20. 28.

When the Apoſtle ſaid he determined not to know any thing ſave Jeſus Chriſt and him cruciſied, 1 Cor. 2. 2. it ſhews upon whom his Thoughts were. Our Thoughts at the Lord's Table ſhould be faſtned to Chriſt as he was to the Croſs. We ſhould behold, admire, and be ſuitably affected when we behold him that is equal with God, in the form of a Servant, in the likeneſs of ſinſul Fleſh, and humbling himſelf ſo low, as to become obedient to Death, even the Death of the Croſs, Phil. 2. 8. Let the worth of the Perſon ſuffering the Merit of the Sufferings themſelves, and the value of the Benefits thereby procured, be believed; and p. 247how can they chuſe but be heedfully thought of!

3. Take due notice, that Chriſt when he was dying, gave this charge to his Diſciples, that they ſhould engage in this Ordinance as a Memorial of him. Chriſt's Death was infinitely more, than if all Creatures that have Life, had loſt their Lives to make an atonement. Juſt when he was ready to make his Soul an Offering for ſin, he bids us to do this in remembrance of him, 1 Cor. 11. 23, 24. The Lord Jeſus the ſame Night in which he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks he brake it, and ſaid, Take eat, this is my Body which is broken for you, do this in remembrance of me. The command of ſuch a Lord, that Lord dying, and dying ſuch a meritorious Death, and in that Death expreſſing Love which paſſes Knowledge; and the Command given on purpoſe, that he might ſtill be and live in our remembrance, if well weighed, will make us mind what we are doing, and prevent diſtraction.

4. The Sacramental Elements and Actions being underſtood, with their ſignification, will be a great means to fix the Thoughts of the Communicants. When your Eyes behold the Bread, let your Faith behold the Body of Chriſt. When you ſee the Bread broken, believe that Chriſt was wounded and bruiſed for your Iniquities, and bare them in his Body on the Tree. When the Bread is given you; underſtand what a gift of God, Chriſt is. When you take the Bread into p. 248your hands, let your Hearts be open, more fully to receive Chriſt himſelf, and to receive ſtill more from him. And when you eat the Bread, be ſure to feed upon Chriſt the Bread of Life by Faith. Rely upon his Crucifixion, as your reconciliation; for, ſays the Apoſtle, We are reconciled to God by the Death of his Son, Rom 5. 10. And as Bread is the ſtaff of Life, ſo let this Bread of Life be your Souls ſtay; reſt upon Chriſt for ſpiritual life and ſtrength more and more abundantly to be given you.

When you perceive the Wine given a part from the Bread, think with your ſelves, that your Lord's Life was indeed, though not againſt his Will, taken from him; Body and Soul were ſeparated, though neither from the Godhead. Look beyond the Wine to the Blood of Jeſus; believe it to be more precious than Gold that periſhes; and that being the blood of him who is God, it can do away the greateſt guilt, and the fouleſt ſpots and ſtains of the ſins of Men. When you drink the Wine, believe the Cup of Bleſſing to be indeed the Communion of the Blood of Chriſt, 1 Cor. 10. 16. Reſt on this Blood to juſtifie you from all things, for which the Law condemns you. Reſt on this Blood to pacifie your Conſciences and heal the Wounds which ſin has made there, to purifie and heal all the Plagues of your Hearts, to make you perfect in every good work, and to open a way for you into the holieſt of all, Heb. 10. 19. not only to procure p. 249conſtant acceſs to the Throne of Grace, but an abundant entrance into the everlaſting Kingdom. Thus you will be helped againſt diſtraction in this Ordinance, If what is viſible to the Eye, the Heart underſtands and improves.

5. That you may be the more ſerious in this Ordinance of the Lord's Supper, remember therein you ſolemnly renew Covenant with the God of Heaven, you give your ſelves from your ſelves to him, and diſclaim all other Lord's and Owners, and profeſs to take him to be your Lord your God, your Guide, your All. Oh mind what you do, that you may be ſincere in doing it. God has no pleaſure in Fools, Eccleſ. 5. 4. who conſider not with whom they have to do; who conſider not what evil they do, when they do that which is good, after a diſtracted and deceitful manner.

In this Ordinance the Broad-Seal of Heaven is put into your hand to confirm your Faith in the New Covenant; and that you may with greater confidence expect the accompliſhment of its Promiſes. He that reſts on Chriſt, and hungers and thirſts after righteouſneſs, may rejoyce in this Ordinance more than a Bankrupt would do, that receives an Acquittance ſealed, of the releaſe of all his Debts, and with it a Will and Teſtament ſealed, whereby a plentiful Eſtate is made over and aſſured to him. And the Communicants ſolemnly profeſs a Reſtipulation; they tie themſelves faſter and more ſtrictly to the Lord; there is p. 250nothing you have, or are, but is his; Will and Heart and Thoughts are to be ever in his Service, and at his Command.

6. Be ſenſible how dreadful guilt is contracted when you are guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord, and this guilt comes upon you by diſtracted, careleſs and unworthy receiving. 1 Cor. 11. 27. Wherefore whoſoever ſhall eat this Bread and drink this Cup of the Lord unworthily, ſhall be guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord. The Communicant, whoſe Heart cares not how diſtracted it is, how does he contemn the Son of God, his Blood and Benefits! If he does not count them worth ſerious thinking of, ſurely he does not think them worth his thankful acceptance. How precious is the Blood of Jeſus! and what an heavy load is the guilt of ſuch Blood! 'Tis ſad not to be ſaved by the Blood of Chriſt, but much ſorer, under the guilt of it to ſink lower into Damnation. Temporal Puniſhments that are inflicted upon receiving amiſs may be terrible; but how much worſe are eternal Judgments! Oh give your Hearts into God's Hand, that he may keep and order them at the Table and afterwards; the more there is of his help in the performance, the leſs will there be of diſtraction, and of your own infirmities.

USE V. Shall be terrour unto Sinners and Hypocrites, all whoſe attendance upon God, is void of care, and full of allowed diſtraction. They freely grant their Hearts a liberty, and their navghty Hearts take it, to be whatever p. 251they pleaſe, and to run upon whatſoever they have a mind to, as if the Heart-ſearchers Eye, had neither Sight nor Jealouſie.

1. The Duties of ſuch whoſe Hearts thus run away from God, are not ſteps towards Heaven but towards Hell. If they hear the Word of God, they underſtand it not; the Goſpel is hid from them, and the God of this World blinds them, 2 Cor. 4. 34. If they attain to ſome kind of knowledge of the truth, they hold it in unrighteouſneſs. Sin grows ſtronger by their very Duties; its power not at all impaired by them; for thinking by their Duties to make ſome amends for their ſins, they are the more emboldned to commit iniquity: When they have done their heartleſs Services; God is the more angry with them. Thus the Jews of old chuſing their own ways, and their Souls delighting in their Abominations, and having no delight in God, or in his ways, the hatefulneſs of their Sacrifices is thus expreſſed, Iſa. 66. 3. He that killeth an Oxe is as if he flew a Man; he that ſacrificeth a Lamb, as if he cut off a Dogs Neck: He that offereth an Oblation, as if he offered Swines Blood: he that burneth incenſe, as if he bleſſed an idol. Not only by impenitency and hardneſs of Heart, but by heartleſs Duties, the performers of them treaſure up unto themſelves Wrath againſt the Day of Wrath.

2. When terrible Calamities force ſinners to cry with ſome earneſtneſs, for relief, their Cries may be altogether in vain. God may juſtly be as heedleſs of them in their diſtreſs, as they p. 252were impiouſly heedleſs of him in their Devotions. Thus he threatens, when diſtreſs and anguiſh cometh upon them, then ſhall they call upon me, but I will not anſwer; they ſhall ſeek me early but they ſhall not find me; nay, which is worſe, he ſays, I will laugh at their calamity, I will mock when their fear cometh, Prov. 1. 26, 27, 28. They deſerve to be mockt at in their miſery; all whoſe Duties were a mocking of God to his very face. The Prophet ſpeaks to the ſame purpoſe, Zach. 7. 13. Therefore it is come to paſs, that as he cryed, and they would not hear, ſo they cryed, and I would not hear, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts.

And if he be deaf many times to ſinners cries on Earth, and will afford them no help: Certainly in Hell he will be utterly regardleſs of their Miſeries. No Prayers are heard, no Petitions are granted that come from that place of wo, Luk. 16. 24. 27.

3. When Sinners and Hypocrites are in Hell, what bitter Reflections will they have upon their Diſtractions and Negligencies in the Service of God here on Earth! How terribly will Conſcience reproach and laſh them, becauſe in their Day they knew not the things that concerned their Peace! Moſt wretched and ſelfdeſtroy'd Fools, Conſcience will call them; becauſe it was no more in their Thoughts to fear and eſcape eternal vengeance; becauſe they were ſo eager after things on Earth, which now can be enjoyed no more; as to neglect the everlaſting bliſs and glory of the Heavenly Kingdom! They that will not do their Duty p. 253to God now without diſtraction, ſhall be forced without diſtraction to think of their miſery to eternity. The greatneſs of their woe, will immoveable fix their Thoughts upon it. When a Sinner in outer darkneſs, ſhall thus reflect upon himſelf, and his unconceivable deplorable and deſperate caſe: Oh what flames, what terrours and agonies do I ſuffer! What poyſoned Arrows of the Almighty are within me! How glorious is his power in my deſtruction! How righteous though intolerable is his Indignation! And what I do ſuffer, I muſt ſuffer without any hope at all of any eaſe or end! The undiſtracted thinking of all this, cannot but make Hell to be out of meaſure helliſh. Knowing now the terrours of the Lord, let all be perſwaded to take heed of trifling with an holy and jealous God, and of doing his Work negligently, who will ſo ſeverely puniſh all evil, ſlothful, and unprofitable Servants!

USE VI. Shall be of encouragement and comfort to Believers, who would fain do more and better than they do, and with leſs diſtraction ſerve the Lord. They ſhould indeed go with a low Sail, becauſe of their leaky hearts, which are ſo born down and hindred by indwelling ſin, when they are attending upon God, and yet that they may not be quite caſt down, let their Eye be upon theſe grounds of Conſolation.

1. Let the Saints know that 'tis from that Grace which is within them, that their Diſtractions are burthenſome to them. As it is by the p. 254ſoftneſs of the Heart, that the remaining hardneſs of it is felt: ſo it is by the Grace in the Heart, that its Wandrings are perceived; and being perceived become matter of trouble. The Apoſtle ſpeaks by way of encouragement, 1 Cor. 10. 13. There hath no temptation taken you, but ſuch as common So ſay I: Thy Diſtraction which is thy burthen, is ſo far from proving thou haſt no Grace; that 'tis common to all gracious Souls, while Militant in this World: and 'tis part of their Militancy to be conflicting with diſtracted Thoughts; and the ſtronger they grow, in this conflict, they are the more ſucceſsful God has the renewed Will, it conſents to the Law of God that it is good, and deſires more undiſtractedly and with delight to do whatever is required; 'tis only remaining Fleſh that is otherwiſe inclined. The Apoſtles Reflection upon himſelf and what he did, was not altogether without comfort, Rom 7. 25. I thank God through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord; ſo then with the Mind I my ſelf ſerve the Law of God, but with the Fleſh the Law of Sin.

2. God will not impute thoſe Diſtractions to Believers which they deſire ſo truly and earneſtly to be freed from. 'Tis a good Rule, Non imputantur, ſi violenter importantur. They are not imputed if they are violently brought into the Heart, and their ſtay and abode there is not allowed of. The Man that labours under the Palſie, his Head his Hands do ſhake againſt his Will, he does not ſhake either himſelf, but wiſhes both were more ſteddy. The p. 255Saints Diſtractions are againſt their Wills, they do not willingly diſtract themſelves; the Lord does not call them Hypocrites for theſe, and they miſcal, if they call themſelves by that Name, becauſe their Hearts do ſometimes ſtart away from Duty againſt the Will and Purpoſe of them. What Saint on Earth could ſtand, if God ſhould mark ſuch iniquities and miſcarriages as theſe! Pſal. 130. 3.

3. Chriſt's Satisfaction and Interceſſion, may comfort Believers under their Diſtractions and all their Infirmities. Our Lord by ſuffering Death has made compleat ſatisfaction, as for their other Iniquities, ſo for the ſins of their holy things. God is ſo well pleaſed in the Son of his Love, that very faulty and imperfect Duties being by him preſented, are well taken. Oh what a difference is there between a Duty as it comes from us, and as it has its defects covered with Chriſt's Righteouſneſs, and is ſo preſented to the Father! The Apoſtle tells us of the Glory of the Grace of God, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved, Eph. 1. 6. When Chriſt was upon Earth, the ſatisfaction he made was ſufficient to make reconciliation for all ſins and defects. And now he is in Heaven he ceaſes not to intercede for Believers; a thouſand faults may be found in their beſt Duties, but how abſolutely faultleſs and prevailing is this Interceſſion of their Advocate!

4. Many of thoſe Duties, which doubting Saints have thought to be nothing but Sin and Diſtraction; God ſees and owns the actings of p. 256Grace in. He ſees ſome Fire in the ſmoaking Flax, which he will not quench, though there is much that is offenſive with it; he ſees ſome greenneſs in the bruiſed Reed, though there is much that is dead, and he will not break it, Matt. 12. 20. His Eyelids try the Children of Men, and he has a gracious regard to the actings of Grace and Faith, though it be but as a grain of Muſtard ſeed. Chriſt Jeſus is ſaid to be quick of underſtanding in the fear of the Lord, Iſa. 11. 3. He knows what Key will open every Heart, and when he will open, none can keep ſhut; he can bring the moſt fearleſs and ſtupid, to the fear of God. And where the fear of God is in truth, though it be in a lower degree, he eaſily diſcerns it. When a Well of Water is muddy at the top, there is purer Water working up from the Spring at the bottom: When the Heart is very much diſcompoſed and diſtracted in Duty; if under all theſe Infirmities there is a working and ſtirring of the Grace of God, he will both obſerve and be well pleaſed with it. He will not utterly reject a Duty, when there is an hearty deſire to do it well, and an hearty grief 'tis done no better.

5. The Lord is ready to give a Bleſſing to thoſe means which himſelf has appointed for the cure of theſe Diſtractions. Theſe means are effectual when the Spirit makes them ſo. And is the Spirit of the Lord ſtraitned? Mic. 2. 7. What infirmity is too great for him to help? What Heart too roving and unruly for him to ſettle? The means muſt be uſed, Cry p. 257for help that you may be helpt to cry; hear the word with a deſire to feel its power; that you may hear it to better purpoſe. Take encouragement from the mighty Spirit who is ſo ready to accompany God's Inſtitutions. He can fit you for your Duty, and fix your Hearts in it, and crown the doing of it with the Bleſſings which are promiſed. And when your Hearts are fixed, 'tis but reaſon your Mouths ſhould ſing and give praiſe.

6. When Militant Saints come to be triumphant, their Diſtractions and Complaints becauſe of them, will be at a perpetual end. In Heaven they ſhall be out of Satan's reach he ſhall reſiſt them no more; this World they will have left, which ſo often troubled both their heads and hearts, and will have exchanged it for a World that's infinitely better; their perfected Spirits, will be perfect in their Operations; nothing of imperfection will cleave to what the glorified Saints above are doing. The Viſion of God Face to Face, will fix the Mind and Thoughts upon him eternally; having once looked on, they will never care to look off more. Perfection of Holineſs, Love, Delight and Joy, muſt needs for ever hinder all even the leaſt wandring. None can in the leaſt be weary of the Work that is done in Heaven, it is ſo full of pleaſure, Rev. 4. 8 They reſt not Day and Night, ſaving Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty which was, and is, and is to come; and full glad may they well be, that ſuch a pleaſant Employment muſt never come to an end.

p. 258If all this Congregation, with their Paſtour can but get ſafe into the Houſe not made with Hands eternal in the Heavens. Oh what Thoughts and Apprehenſions ſhall we have! How ſhall we be fill'd with Joy and Wonder, at what we ſhall then behold! Being entred and ſwallowed up in the Joy of our Lord, ſhall we not then cry out. Ah! Ah! What a difference is there between this Heavenly Country, and the moſt deſirable earthly Inheritance! The Sun is but a ſmall Spark to that Light which we now ſee! When we lookt upward, we admired Heavens outſide, the Firmament with all its ſhining Luminaries, but now we plainly ſee that Heaven is much more glorious within! What an excellent Society is this innumerable Company of Angels that we are among! How does every glorified Saint and Member of Chriſt reſemble his Head! being all fair and no ſpot remaining! How pleaſant is the Harmony where there is no Sin, no Sorrow, no Defect, or Diſcord! Theſe Hallelujahs which we now joyn in, how raviſhing and tranſporting are they! not like the diſtracted Services which we uſed to perform together in the Sanctuary! We are all now fixt in this glorious place, and ſhall go no more out. Our Complaints are quite ended, and never again ſhall we do in the leaſt amiſs! We are indeed without fault before the Throne of God, and we ſhall Live and Reign, Triumph and Magnifie the Lord for ever!

p. 259Thus have I finiſhed my Diſcourſe concerning Diſtraction in attending upon God, a fault whereof all are guilty; moſt make nothing, or very light of▪ and very few mind to have it mended: My deſign herein has been to do ſome Service to the Church of Chriſt, that their Worſhip may be more pure and Spiritual, being freed from thoſe wandring Thoughts which both diſtract and defile it; and that the Beſt of Lords may ſtill have better and more acceptable Service, from all of you, and from my ſelf alſo. Whilſt we are in this World, truly this World is too much in us; 'tis ſuitable to our Senſes, and apt to intice and draw away our Hearts. Let the Eye of Faith pierce through the Clouds, and ſee Heavens Joy and Glory, and then this Worlds Vanity will be the more apparent; and how vain a thing 'tis for you to be ſo thoughtful about it, and eager after it. When Faith has ſeen how God is attended upon by Saints and Angels above, it may help to kindle in you an holy zeal and a vehement deſire, more to reſemble thoſe excellent Attendants, and to ſerve the Lord more gladly and ſeriouſly here below.

Oh cry to have the Cure of Diſtractions carried on further towards compleatneſs. Live as Strangers and Sojourners here on Earth, not concerned about the things of it, as others are. Declare plainly that you are born from above, and let your Hearts and Thoughts more and more aſcend thither. Carry your p. 260ſelves as fellow▪ Citizens with the Saints, and as thoſe that are of the Houſhold of God. Let there be more of God, more of Grace in all you do and ſpeak; in all the Powers of your Souls, in all the Duties you perform. And think with gladneſs and longing of that bleſſed Inheritance; when you ſhall be fully deliver'd from Sin and Death, and all deadneſs and diſtraction in Mind and Heart. Everlaſting Reſt muſt needs eternally exclude whatever does now trouble you. And how perfectly healed, and every way perfect in Holineſs and Joy will you be, when you have attained to the Glorious Liberty of the Sons of God!

FINIS.