A treatise of original sin ... proving that it is

Hence in the sixth place, The memory being not under our command, it falleth out, that things come into our minds, When we would not have them, yea when it is a sin to receive them. How often in holy duties, in religious performances, do we remember things, which happily we could not do, when the fit season and opportunity was for them? Do not many worldly businesses come into our minds, when we are in heavenly approaches to God, that as Job. 1. when the sons of God came and appeared before God, then Satan came also and stood with them? Thus when thou art busy to remember all those Scripture-arguments, which should humble thee in Gods presence, which should exalt and life up thy soul to God, How many heterogeneous and distracting thoughts do crowd in also, so that this worldly business, and that earthly employment cometh into thy remembrance? Insomuch that the people of God, though their memories are sanctified, and so cleansed in much measure from original filth in the dominion of it, yet do much groan under this important and unseasonable remembering of things; for hereby our duties have not that united force and power, as they should have, neither is God so glorified in our addresses to him, as he ought to be, Psal. 86. 11. David there prayeth, That God would unite his heart to fear his Name; And the Apostle, 1 Cor. 7. doth therefore speak so warily and tenderly in the case of marriage, That they might serve the Lord without distraction; And no doubt dividing and diverting thoughts are as troublesome to the godly heart in holy duties, as the croaking frogs were to Pharaoh, when they came up into his chamber: Say then with indignation to all those intruding and violent thoughts, which make thee not hoc agere, instant in the duty thou art about, stand aloof off, and be gone; Bolt the door upon them, as Ammon on Tamar; What doth Saul among the Prophets? How cometh these uclean things into the holiest of holies? Let the fear of God be like the Porter or Watchman, to keep ⟨p. 267⟩out all things that would then come into thy memory, Liberet me Deus (said he) ab hom•pe unius tantum negotii, when thy heart minds only one thing, when it is God only thy soul is fixed upon, and thou art not diverted otherwise, such duties are effectual and prevail much.