1THE second Effect of Distractions, is, That they much affront the Majesty of God*. It was an high affront to God, Act. 7.39. that his people, after they had had experience of him, yet in their hearts turned back into Egypt. This is the wisdom of a roving heart, they say. Come, we like not this blessed presence of, nor work in our hearts: let's walk into the world again, Ezek. 11.21. But as for them, whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord God. Here one detestable thing offers it self, and there another: for every thing that draws the heart from God, its chief good, is therein detestable: Now when the heart walks after them, that is the right vein of distractions. Where the heart walks after every trifle, that puts up finger, he shall have enough of his ways, saith the Lord. Must I stand for a sta•e, when he is aiming at other matters? must the great God wait on a simple Worm, till he can be at leisure to speak with him? shall the worst of evils be ⟨p. 159⟩courted, while the chief of goods is slighted, and yet even then pretend to service? As if some miserable Scullion at the Court had made great means to possess the King with his low condition, and when the King is come to speak with him, he lies sweeping the sink, or scouring the spit, and there lets his Prince wait on him to no purpose; may not he justly say, when I come next to meet you, you'st know the difference between the Majesty of a King, and the sordidness of a Scullion*. Just so, poor soul, do thou and I, obtain leave to approach our heavenly Lord and King, and when he expects the heart earnestly to solicit her great affairs, she is roving away, and bestowed in the Kitchen, or worse, while the great and holy God stands waiting to be gracious. What Father but would take it for a great indignity, to see his Son stopping his ears, or whistling, or playing with Flies, while he is reading his last Will and Testament to him, or giving him order about his greatest affairs? And is not God greater than a Father? and can he with his honour, abate such a child his punishment, if he do not humbly cry him mercy, and study to offend no more? ⟨p. 160⟩Though divine vengeance be not always so visible, as a Parents Rod, yet it is as real and more heavy. A poor man cannot escape, with his affronts of a great God.
1THE second Effect of Distractions, is, That they much affront the Majesty of God*. It was an high affront to God, Act. 7.39. that his people, after they had had experience of him, yet in their hearts turned back into Egypt. This is the wisdom of a roving heart, they say. Come, we like not this blessed presence of, nor work in our hearts: let's walk into the world again, Ezek. 11.21. But as for them, whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things, I will recompence their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord God. Here one detestable thing offers it self, and there another: for every thing that draws the heart from God, its chief good, is therein detestable: Now when the heart walks after them, that is the right vein of distractions. Where the heart walks after every trifle, that puts up finger, he shall have enough of his waies, saith the Lord. Must I stand for a sta•e, when he is aiming at other matters? must the great God wait on a simple Worm, till he can be at leisure to speak with him? shall the worst of evils be ⟨p. 159⟩courted, while the chief of goods is slighted, and yet even then pretend to service? As if some miserable Scullion at the Court had made great means to possess the King with his low condition, and when the King is come to speak with him, he lyes sweeping the sink, or scouring the spit, and there lets his Prince wait on him to no purpose; may not he justly say, when I come next to meet you, you'st know the difference between the Majesty of a King, and the sordidness of a Scullion*. Just so, poor soul, do thou and I, obtain leave to approach our heavenly Lord and King, and when he expects the heart earnestly to sollicit her great affairs, she is roving away, and bestowed in the Kitchin, or worse, while the great and holy God stands waiting to be gracious. What Father but would take it for a great indignity, to see his Son stopping his ears, or whistling, or playing with Flyes, while he is reading his last Will and Testament to him, or giving him order about his greatest affairs? And is not God greater than a Father? and can he with his honour, abate such a child his punishment, if he do not humbly cry him mercy, and study to offend no more? ⟨p. 160⟩
- 1§. 7. Distractions affront the Majesty of God.
- *Videtur enim deridere Deum, sicuti si alicui homini loqueretur, & non attenderet ad ea quae ipse proserret. Aquin. 22 ae. q. 83. art. 13.
- *Divinum auxilium est implorandum non remissè, nec mente huc vel illuc evagante, eo quod tali• non solum non impetrabit quod petit, sed etiam magi• Deum irritabit. Basil. Instir. ad rit. perfect.
