I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

Secondly: If that these distractions shall not hurt the Servants of God, nor their Sacrifices, neither them nor their Duties; then they have no reason be discouraged under them, though to be humbled for them. Now it is a true Rule, non nocet, quod non placet: that which doth not please, doth not hurt. These distractions in Duty do not please the Saints, they lie under them as a heavy burden, they do not please them, therefore they shall not hurt them. You know what the Psalmist saith, If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear my Prayer. ¹Distraction in Prayer, is a great iniquity, if I regard this iniquity in my prayer, the Lord will not hear my Prayer. But when may a man be said to regard iniquity? You know, that if you regard a man that comes to your house, you run and meet him at the door, you bid him welcome, have him in, and set a stool for him, and you give him entertainment: but if you bid the man be gone, saying, I will have nothing to do with you, you are my burden, I pray be gone, then you do not regard this man. Thus it is with the Saints and People of the Lord, distractions press in upon their prayer and Duty; but doest thou fetch a stool, doest thou give entertainment, and doest thou bid welcome to these distractions? No, the Lord knows, I bid them be gone, the Lord knows they are my burden; then certainly, as that is true, If I regard Iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear my Prayer; so on the contrary, if I do not regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will hear my prayer. A man doth sometimes open a door for one of worth, and others press and crowd in with him; and if the Master say to his Servant, why did you let all these men in? he answers, Sir, I did not open the door for these, but for another, and these did press and troud in upon me, and I could not hinder; then is the Master satisfied, and the Servant excused. So in this case it is, and that often, with the People of God; Christ stands at their door and knocks, they run to meet with him in Prayer, and by Prayer they open the door of their heart to him, but then distractions press and crowd in upon them; yet they can say in truth, Lord, I never opened my door for these, but do desire that these, and all these may be put out again; What then, do you not think that God will be satisfied with this answer of uprightness?

Secondly: If that these distractions shall not hurt the Servants of God, nor their Sacrifices, neither them nor their Duties; then they have no reason be discouraged under them, though to be humbled for them. Now it is a true Rule, non nocet, quod non placet: that which doth not please, doth not hurt. These distractions in Duty do not please the Saints, they lie under them as a heavy burden, they do not please them, therefore they shall not hurt them. You know what the Psalmist saith, If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear my Prayer.