A Saint Indeed

A dropping eye, and a melting heart, are seldom troubled as others upon this account: When the Soul is intent about any work, it gathers in its strength, and bends all the thoughts about it; and when its deeply affected, it will be intent, the affections command the thoughts to go after them, deadness causes distraction, and distraction increases deadness; could you but look upon duties as the galleries of communion in which you walk with God, where your Souls may be filled with those ravishing, and matchless delights that are in his presence; your Soul would not offer to stir from thence.

A dropping eye, and a melting heart, are seldom troubled as others upon this account: When the Soul is intent about any work, it gathers in its strength, and bends all the thoughts about it; and when its deeply affected, it will be intent, the affections command the thoughts to goe after them, deadness causes dist•action, and distraction increases deadness; could you but look upon duties as the galleries of communion in which you walk with God, where your Souls may be filled with those ravishing, and matchless delights that are in his presence; your Soul would not offer to stir from thence.

It is with the heart in duty, as it is with those that dig for gold oar; they try here, and finding none, try there; and so go from place to place till at last they hit upon the rich vein, and there they sit down. If thy heart could but once hit the rich vein in duty, it would dwell and abide there with delight, and constancy. O how I love thy law, it is my meditation day and night! Psal. 119. 97. The Soul could dwell ⟨p. 113⟩day and night upon its knees, when once its delights, loves, and desires are engaged. What's the reason your hearts are so shuffling, especially in secret duties? why are you ready to be gone almost as soon as you are come into the presence of God? but because your affections are not engaged.