A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

In all which it is to be advertised, that Idolatry in these things consisteth mostly in the inordinateness of the heart, and affections to them, and that it lieth not so much in our actions about them, as in the manner of our acting, and the circumstances accompanying us and our actions, anxiety, estimation, excessive care, love, &c.

In all which it is to be advertised, that Idolatry in these things consisteth mostly in the inordinateness of the heart, and affections to them, and that it lyeth not so much in our actions about them, as in the manner of our acting, and the circumstances accompanying us and our actions, anxiety, estimation, excessive care, love, &c.

For clearing the difference betwixt this idolatrous love, fear, service, and true love, fear, &c. take these Rules.

1 When our love to Creatures drowneth our love to God, and maketh us to cast off duties we owe to him, as in Demas. 2. When in part it marreth us in the performance of duties to God, as in Eli. 3. When it so taketh us up in our practise throughout the day, that we give not necessary time to the Worship of God, in praying, reading, hearing, &c. 4. When it indisposeth for these; so that when we are praying or hearing, the heart is carried away after Creatures, and the mind is taken up with some other thing than God, as Ezekiel 33.31. 5. When they too much, and very unnecessarily haunt the heart in meditation, or when we lye down or rise, and at such times when our thinking on such employments contributeth not to the furtherance of them, it showeth that they have too much of the heart when they possess it always, and when it is seldom taken up actually with better things, but these steal in easily and at all times.