The Christians Daily Monitor, Part 15
§. 15. Why are thoſe that have received Grace ſo troubled with diſtractions in holy duties.
1. Becauſe there is corruption in the beſt, which clogs and ſhackies us in our beſt duties. Remainders of ſin, will be hinderers of our cloſe communion with God; theſe dogs will be barking though their teeth be pulled out.
2. Becauſe Satan ſtands at our right …and to withſtand us when we appear be…re God, and to diſturb us in our wor…ipping of him.
3. To ſhew unto us our need of Jeſus …hriſt, to be our High Prieſt to bear the …niquity of our holy things.
4. To teach us that when we do ſeem … be moſt dutiful, yet even then we …ave need to be moſt humble.
5. To be a touchſtone of our ſpirituality and growth in Grace. The more ſpi…ituality we arrive at, the fewer diſtra…tions in Gods ſervice we ſhall meet with.
6. To teach us to watch as well as pray, to keep our hearts with all diligence. Every Chriſtian in duty muſt fight as well as work.
7. To teach us not to make our ſelves the fountain of aſſiſtance and ſtrength in holy duties.
8. To make us ſtrive to be more fervent in ſpirit in ſerving the Lord. When the flame ariſes the ſmoak decreaſes.
9. To ſtir us up to delight in Gods ſervice. Our hearts will abide there wher… they do delight.
10. To make us long after heaven that bleſſed ſtate, where no diſtraction are.
The remedies againſt them are of tw… ſorts, by way of prevention, by way of care.
1. By way of prevention; remembe… theſe three things.
1. Holy retirement, ſometimes of body, alwayes of mind. Eſau went in the field to meditate. Enter into thy Cloſet, ſaith our Saviour. But in public… there muſt be a retirement of ſpirit; cal… off thy heart from the world, and from external objects. It was a ſaying of Bernard, it is not unuſual for men of untamed fancies to be ſurrounded with multitudes when alone; nor is it impoſſible for a man of a ſound ſpirit to be alone among multitudes.
2. Come to holy duties armed with …ly reſolution; ſay with David, Pſ. 71.…6. I will go in the ſtrength of the …rd: Reſolve not to be taken off.
3. Supplication. There muſt come …ower from above, and prayer fetches in: And in prayer againſt diſtractions …earneſt with God, for
1. The ſanctification of thy fancy and …agination. That grace that ſanctifies …r minds, confines them; grace ſets …r hearts upon the right object, and …kes them move orderly and regular…
2. Beg a fixed heart, Pſal. 86.11. …avid prays, unite my heart, make it …e, and he often ſpeaks of this; my …art is fixed, or prepared.
3. The ſpirit of love. The ſoul lives …here it loves, and cauſes an immora…on on the object; the more love to …od, the fewer diſtractions, and the …ore compoſedneſs of mind.
4. The grace of holy fear. In thy fear …ill I worſhip, ſaith David, Pſal. 5. Pray to God to poſſeſs thy ſoul with an aw… of his Glorious Majeſty.
5. Beg holy Zeal. Let thy heart b… ſeething hot. Flies uſe not to come … the boiling pot. Zealous Chriſtian complain leaſt of diſtractions.
2. By way of Cure.
1. Get indignation at the firſt riſe … them. If they be injected by Satan, thro… out the fire-ball; if thy heart ha… been the mother to conceive and brin… them forth, let it not be the nurſe … bring them up.
2. Be humbled for them. Gracio… ſouls cannot but be grieved at then but vain thoughts never trouble va… men; but walk humbly with God … the ſenſe how little thy heart is wit… him.
3. Exerciſe faith in Chriſt for t… pardon of them, and power againſt them when thou art troubled with theſe fie… Serpents, look to the brazen Serpe… Chriſt Jeſus.