A39682:214
A Saint Indeed
A saint indeed: or The great work of a Christian, opened and pressed; from Prov. 4. 23 Being a seasonable and proper expedient for the recovery of the much decayed power of godliness, among the professors of these times. By John Flavell M. of the Gospel.
London: printed by W.R., 1668
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
6. Season. The sixth Season of expressing this diligence in keeping the heart is the Season of Duty; when we draw nigh to God in public, private, or secret Duties, then 'tis time to look to the heart; for the vanity of the heart seldom discovers it self more than at such times. How oft doth the poor soul cry out, O Lord how fain would I serve thee, but vain thoughts will not let me; I came to open my heart to thee, to delight my soul in communion with thee, but my corruptions have set upon me: Lord rare off these vain thoughts, and suffer them not to prostitute the soul, which is espoused to thee, before thy face. The sixth Case then is this.
6. Season. The sixth Season of expressing this diligence in keeping the heart is the Season of Duty; when we draw nigh to God in publick, private, or secret Duties, then 'tis time to look to the heart; for the vanity of the heart seldome discovers it self more than at such times. How oft doth the poor soul cry out, O Lord how fain would I serve thee, but vain thoughts will not let me; I came to open my heart to thee, to delight my soul in communion with thee, but my corruptions have set upon me: Lord rare off these vain thoughts, and suffer them not to prostitute the soul, which is espoused to thee, before thy face. The sixth Case then is this.
6. Case. How the heart may be kept from distractions by vain thoughts, in the time of Duty.
There is a two-fold distraction or wandering of the heart in Duty: (1) voluntary and habitual, Psalm 78. 8. They set not their hearts aright, and their spirit was not steadfast with God. This is the case ⟨p. 104⟩of Formalists, and it proceeds from the want of an holy bent, and inclination of the heart to God; their hearts are under the power of their lusts, and therefore 'tis no wonder they go after their lusts, even when they are about holy things, Ezek, 33. 31. (2) Involuntary and lamented distractions, Rm 7. 21, 24. I find then a law, that when I would do good, evil is present with me, O wretched man that I am, &c. This proceeds not from the want of a holy bent and aim, but from the weakness and imperfection of grace. And in this case the soul may make the like complaint against its own corruptions that Abijah did against Jeroboam,