A61386:304
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.
SECT. VI.
1VI. THE sixth Cure of these Distractions, is, a watchful reflection of the soul upon its self, and ejaculation unto God, It is said, Eccles. 10.2. A wise mans heart is at his right hand, but a fools ⟨p. 191⟩heart is at his left. Is not this the meaning of it? That a wise good man hath his heart ready, can speedily serve him, instantly recoil upon himself; but a wicked foolish man, his heart is awkward and unskilful, a left-hand-heart, unwieldy and unready for any good work. O get then a dextrousness of heart to bolt in• and break the sinful knot of your vain imaginations*. That a distraction may not set so long on the heart, that it hatch, and breed yet more of the kind, and so swallow you up in condemnation. It is said, Gen. 15.11. When the Fowls light, Abraham drove them away, not when they were sitting or feeding upon the carcasses, but as soon as ever they lighted, we must not give place to these for a moment. Mr. Dod adviseth us to ask our selves often these two questions. 1. What I am? 2. What I am doing? We are well, if we can well answer these two questions. If thou canst answer, I am a Child of God, and I am doing God's Will, it will stand thee in more stead than if thou couldst answer all the questions in Aquinas. We read, Nehem. 4.17. That in the building of God's house, every one, with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a ⟨p. 192⟩weapon: Work and watch, work and fight was the guise of them. And he that will edify in God's house yet, must do the same; hear and watch, and watch and pray, and fight, and struggle, and pray still. This Hill we climb inch by inch: One may tumble into Hell, but the strait gate must be striven at. Let conscience then perform it's part, and speedily glance into the heart with all fidelity. Abraham's Fowls came without sending for, and yet would not go away without driving. You cannot hinder a Thief from coming by the house, but you may from quartering with you, at least with any quiet and approbation.