An antidote against distractions, or, An endeavour to serve the church, in the daily…An antidote against distractions, or, An indeavour to serve the church, in the daily…

2. Practice is the other remedy. To cure this luke-warmness in God's service, frequent those Lights that are burning as well as shining. Let's go to Dedham (said the Godly in that time) to fetch fire, when famous M. Rogers was there. If you cannot hear a warming Divine, then read them, and be sure to have some Books for the rousing and •eating of your heart, as others for clearing and instructing your judgment, unless the work of Sanctification be perfect already in your heart and affections, while it remains imperfect in your mind and judgment. Associate also with zealous Christians, borrow some of their heat, and lend them some of your light; and be not ashamed to talk of God, Heaven and a Soul when you are together; we lose the benefit of mens graces, for want of broaching those blessed Vessels of grace you converse with. Especially read the Scripture, which will inflame thee, and ⟨p. 86⟩mould thee (being rightly used) into its blessed nature. I have known some, that before their private duties would meditate on a ^*verse in the Psalms, Canticles, or the like, and then run hot and lively into the presence of God. And chose rather to be ^*frequent and fervent, than long and roving in a duty. Shorter prayers may sometimes inflame, when long ones tire the spirits; and that way the ancient Christians ^*in Egypt used to take. And, lastly, do as holy David did, that carried such a nature as thou dost, be ever calling to God, (as, He who is at it eight or nine times in Psal. 119. Quicken me in thy way, quicken me, and I will call upon thy name: and if He had need thus to fetch fire from Heaven, how much more have We?

2. Practice is the other remedy. To cure this luke-warmness in God's service, frequent those Lights that are burning as well as shining. Let's go to Dedham (said the Godly in that time) to fetch fire, when famous M. Rogers was there. If you cannot hear a warming Divine, then read them, and be sure to have some Books for the rouzing and eating of your heart, as others for clearing and instructing your judgment, unless the work of Sanctification be perfect already in your heart and affections, while it remains imperfect in your mind and judgment. Associate also with zealous Christians, borrow some of their heat, and lend them some of your light; and be not ashamed to talk of God, Heaven and a Soul when you are together; we lose the benefit of mens graces, for want of broaching those blessed Vessels of grace you converse with. Especially read the Scripture, which will inflame thee, and