The Cure of Distractions, Title page – Dedication
THE CURE OF DISTRACTIONS IN Attending upon GOD: In Several SERMONS Preached from 1 Cor. 7. 35. That you may attend upon the Lord without Diſtraction.
By NATHANAEL VINCENT, M. A. Miniſter of the Goſpel.
Pſal. 27 8. When thou ſaidſt, ſeek ye my face; my heart ſaid unto thee, thy face, Lord, will I ſeek.
foreign
foreign
Deus non vocis, ſed Cordis auditor. Cypr.
Primum argumentum compoſitae mentis exiſtimo… poſſe conſiſtere, & ſecum morari. Seneca Epiſt. 2.
LONDON, Printed for Brabazon Aylmer, at the Three Pigeons over againſt the Royal-Exchange in Cornhill, 1695.
To the Truly Honourable Sir WILLIAM ASHURST, Kt. AND Alderman of the City of London.
Much Honoured SIR,
I Did not Addreſs to you when you were like the Riſing Sun, and made the Chief Seat in this City, where you were deſervedly placed, to ſhine with more than ordinary Luſtre; when you diſcovered and were ſevere againſt the Works of Darkneſs; and your Influence was ſo benign and kind, for the Suſtentation and Benefit of London; but now you have run your Courſe ſo well, and have ſet without the leaſt Cloud; nay, with ſo much Clearneſs and Glory, I make this Dedication to you, deſiring your ſerious Peruſal of a Treatiſe, the Subject of which is of ſuch great importance. And indeed now you have quitted the Chair, and have leſs of publick Buſineſs to manage, and may have more leiſure to retire into your Self, and from Company, and from Civil Affairs; this Cure of Diſtractions in Religious Duties, knocks at your Door, the Author deſiring it may be helpful to your Meditations and Devotion.
'Tis a great Reſpect and Honour that is due to the God's on Earth, ſo Magiſtrates are called, and Inferiours ſhould apply to Them accordingly, with a great ſenſe of their diſtance. With what Reverence then are we to approach the Supream Majeſty! The Lord of Hoſts, the King of Glory! Our higheſt Apprehenſions are infinitely below him. And the beſt of Saints do rather wiſh to Worſhip him, than perform any thing that is worthy of the Name of Worſhip.
Among the many Faults in Holy Duties, there is one that will never be quite mended in this World, and that is Diſtraction; but yet more and more help may be ſtill attained againſt it: And theſe Sermons mhich I now preſent you with, I hope with a Bleſſing from Heaven may contribute ſomewhat, and be ſucceſsful this way.
If Religious Duties were but well done, every thing elſe would be done the better; for it is from God alone that we have ability to do as we ought in any matter whatſoever. The Lord gives Wiſdom and Grace moſt liberally to them who moſt ſincerely ſeek him. And ſuch as have moſt help from God, will beſt perform their Duty towards Man; and both Church and State will find them the moſt uſeful Members. Religion is certainly the trueſt Policy. The Wiſdom of this World, ſays the Apoſtle, and of the Princes of this World comes to nought, but Godlineſs in the power of it, makes Men better in every Capacity and Relation. How does it alter and amend Perſons, Families, Nations, where 'tis encouraged and prevails! Righteouſneſs and Peace, Joy, and Love, are found to be the bleſſed effects of true Religion! It tames the fierceneſs, and ſubdues the malignity of corrupt Nature! And makes Man to look ſomething like what he was in the ſtate of Innocency!
All that wiſh well to this City and Nation, muſt needs deſire that God may be better ſerved, and that Men by his Service may be better'd. How happy ſhould we be if People were all Righteous! Violence then would be no more heard in our Land, nor waſting and deſtruction within our Borders; our Walls would be called Salvation, and our Gates Praiſe, and the Lord himſelf would be to us an everlaſting Light, and our God our Glory!
I wiſh that all Lord Mayors for the future may follow your Example, and endeavour to ſuppreſs Wickedneſs, and may never be aſhamed of Holineſs, which is the Glory of God, and is moſt unreaſonably look'd upon as matter of Diſgrace to any Man. Sir! You are deſcended from Religious Anceſtors, and Religion is that which does truly ennoble your Blood and Family. An increaſe of this Nobility and of all other Bleſſings, is wiſht to your ſelf and Yours. By,
Honoured SIR, Your Moſt Humble Servant, Nathanael Vincent.