454 How may we cure Diflraôtions Ser ;9, degree and fpece of is of that I (hall treat at this time and my Note will be That diftraftion of thoughts, or the removing cf the heart from God in Worfbip, is a great fin, and degree of hypocrifie. The Text 1peaketh ofgrofs hypocrif a or a zealous pretence of out- ward Worfhip without any Prim Gent of heart towards God ; but any removdll of the heart from him in times neceffary to think of him is a degree of it for though elifirac`liens in Wor/hip are incident to the people of Clod, yet they are culpable, and do fo far argue the re. licks of by pocrifie in them. I fhall thew, r. The great ;left of the fin. 2. The Caufes. 3. The Remedies. Firft, That there is fuch a fin , fad experiences witnefreth vain thoughts intrude importunately upon the foul in every duty, in hear- ing the word we are not free, Eck, 3 3. 3 r. nor intinging, but chiefly they haunt us in Prayer, and of all kirds of prayer in mental/ Prayer, when ouraddrefFs to God are managed by thoughts alone, there we are more eafly difl:urbed, words bound the thoughts and the incon,. venience of an interruption is more fen(ble, as occa toning a paute in our fpeech ; and as in mental Prayer, fo when we jtyn with others , to keep time and pace with their words, unlefs the Lord quicken them to an extraordinary livelinefs, we find ir. very hard, but how great a fin this ìs, is my firft task to Phew. I fhall do it, 1. By three general / confederations. 2. By fpeaking particularly to the prefent cafe. Firth, Generally. r . Confider how tender God is of hisliroribip,Lev. i o.3.He bath faid,. That he will be fanXfied in all that draw nigh unto him.To fand fee is to let apart from common ufe. Now God will be fanttified, that is, nor treated with as an ordinary perfon, but with fpecial heedfulnefs of foul and affeRion becoming fo great a Majefy ; when you think to put him off with any thing, yen leffen his excellency and greatnefs, and do not fanftifie him, or glorifie him as God, and therefore God pleadeth his M e jfly when they would put a furry Sacrifice upon him as if every thing were good erough for him. Mal. I. 14. Csrfed be the deceiver which bath in hïs flock a male, and voweth and facrificeth to the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a gre.tKing,faith the Lord of hofts.To be flight in his fervice argueth mean thoughts of God, Eccl. 5.2. Be not rafh with thymouth,nor hafty to utter any thing beforeGod,forGod is is heaven,.
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