Burroughs - BV15 B877 1654

to god inWorfhip. T. Fiat the ftrength of Intention. We mutt intend our vvork as if it were for our lives : If ever we were ferioufly Incentive of Attentive about any thing, it mutt be when we are worfhiping of the Nameof God. When you are coming toPray, be in- tent about it. You than fee force when they are going in the fire& when they have much intention about their bufinefs, their freinds meet them, and they never mind them ; one may perceive as theyare going, That they are mightily intent about their bufinefs. My Bretheren, look upon every duty ofWor- ihip as a great thing which youmull be intent in your thoughts about, and not give way to thewandring of your thoughts. I have readofone Martyr, that whenhe was to die, and the fire a ltindjLgM-TjiM-an Officer, What I Will you not (peak when you fee theFire kindling ? Saith he, I am fpeaking to God : that is, he was praying, and heminded not at all what they were doing. Oh what little thingsdo take ourthoughts away fromholy duties I Whenevery toy, every feather, every light matter calls them off. Is this toSanecifie Gods Name ? Would not we account it a difhonorible thing, ifwe were talking to one rehousbufinefi, and when we are talking, everyone that comes by, he ihTiiiTcrbniiiikiiiafter then!, and turning a- iftreloTalk with them ? If a Su erioir be tilking with you, he doth expefhould mind what he faith. But when -God is fpeaking toyou, and you are fpeakingto God, every vain thought that comes by, youare turning afide too : as ifit were a greater thing to talk tovain thoughts and temptations, than to the great and glorious God. Therefore now that is the very time that the Devil chufes for to bring temptations when we are inholyduties, for the Devil knows then he cloth two worksat once : he doch didurb us in our duties, andcall offour gams to that that is wicked, and cloth agravateour fin excee dingiy. It may be thou wilt not dare to commit that fin that the temptation cloth turne thy thoughts upon, yea but the Divil 25e-4/1.- bath fpoiled theduty by it. TheLord doth expea that F-here Mould be ittengch of Intention when thouart upon the duty and there is no time to parlie with temptations now, whatevet thoughts come in. The truth is, though they be good thoughts that thould come into thy mind, and that tame that thou art Fraying

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