A61386:295
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…
An antidote against distractions, or, An endeavour to serve the church, in the daily case of wanderings in the worship of God by Richard Steele M.A. and minister of the Gospel.An antidote against distractions, or, An indeavour to serve the church, in the daily case of wandrings in the worship of God by Richard Steele M.A. and minister of the Gospel.
London: printed for Elizabeth Calvert, 1667
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.
It is a precept among the Rabbins, that ⟨p. 185⟩if a Jew be at prayer, though a Serpent come and bite him, yet he must not stir, till he hath done his duty. Satan that old Serpent will be nibbling at thy heel with one vain suggestion or other, but go thou through with thy business, and let God alone with him.
It is a precept among the Rabbins, that ⟨p. 185⟩if a Jew be at prayer, though a Serpent come and bite him, yet he must not stir, till he hath done his duty. Satan that old Serpent will be nibling at thy heel with one vain suggestion or other, but go thou through with thy business, and let God alone with him.
In Prayer then, fix thy eyes Heavenward*, and let nothing divert them, till the prayer be done. This will show that thou wouldst lift thy heart thither, if thou couldst, and will prevent many an impertinent distraction, that comes in by the eye. If any deride thee for this, doubt thou not of good company, Psal. 123.1. Unto thee do I lift up my eyes, O thou that dwellest in the Heavens. Let your ears be as good as stopped, to every thing, besides your work. And the lifting up your craving hands, will not be unprofitable to this end; for you will find them to flag, when the heart knocks off from its business, whereby you may be advertised to come in again, Lam. 3.41. Let us lift up our hearts WITH OUR HANDS unto God in the Heavens. And let your prayers be vocal, if it may be, for the voice both helps to fix the thoughts, and raise the affections, the want whereof we discern in meditation.
In Prayer then, fix thy eyes Heavenward