The fourth (and last) volume of discourses, or sermons, on several scriptures

¹First, That they do not too much engulf themselves in the Businesses and Pleasures of this Life; for this will exceedingly damp and deaden the Heart to this holy Duty; as Earth cast upon the Fire puts it out, so the World, when it is ⟨p. 413⟩spread over the Affections, must needs stifle and extinguish that holy Flame that should ascend up to Heaven. How hard is it for a Man, that oppresseth himself with a heap of Businesses, to raise his Heart unto God under all that Load? How hard is it for those that let out their Hearts thus too and fro, a thousand ways, to summon them in the next moment to attend upon God, with that awful and serious Frame that becomes all those that appear before him? When we come to Prayer reeking hot out of the Affairs of this World, we find our Hearts subject to manifold Distractions and Discomposures, and our Thoughts scattered like Bees, still flying from one Flower to another, still bringing some Intelligence from worldly Objects, even then when we are about divine Employments.

¹First, That they do not too much ingulf themselves in the Businesses and Pleasures of this Life; for this will exceedingly damp and deaden the Heart to this holy Duty; as Earth cast upon the Fire puts it out, so the World, when it is ⟨p. 413⟩spread over the Affections, must needs stifle and extinguish that holy Flame that should ascend up to Heaven. How hard is it for a Man, that oppresseth himself with a heap of Businesses, to raise his Heart unto God under all that Load? How hard is it for those that let out their Hearts thus too and fro, a thousand ways, to summon them in the next moment to attend upon God, with that awful and serious Frame that becomes all those that appear before him? When we come to Prayer reaking hot out of the Affairs of this World, we find our Hearts subject to manifold Distractions and Discomposures, and our Thoughts scattered like Bees, still flying from one Flower to another, still bringing some Intelligence from worldly Objects, even then when we are about divine Employments.

1. 1