3. Again, some Distractions are long, and do consist of a concatenation of vain thoughts, when they do lodge in the heart. The Lord still calling at the door, and saying, How long shall vain thoughts lodge within thee? These do much alter the complexion of the Soul, and argue too deep an ⟨p. 24⟩habit of vanity therein. It is a true saying, Though we cannot hinder the Birds from flying over our heads, yet we may disturb their roosting or making Nests in our hair. So though we cannot well hinder the sudden suggestion of a vain thought, yet we may trouble its quiet resting in the Soul. Yet such strange subtlety is there in us, that we can keep God in play a long time (yea when our selves are employed in a Prayer) and be tampering with the world or sin all the while, the soul never coming in, till the Amen of a Prayer do awaken us*. But other Distractions are but short, only a step out of the way, and in again, and the soul catcheth the faster hold of God. And indeed when the soul doth follow hard after God (as every one should do in his service.) though it stumble, as it often happens to the most earnest in the way, yet it recovers to its advantage, being more zealous after; The fall of the former being like that of the Swine, who lies still in her mire; The fall of the latter, ⟨p. 25⟩like the Sheep that falling riseth, and runs the faster. And thus you have seen the several kinds of Distractions, which was the second general Head.
3. Again, some Distractions are long, and do consist of a concatenation of vain thoughts, when they do lodge in the heart. The Lord still calling at the door, and saying, How long shall vain thoughts lodge within thee? These do much alter the complexion of the Soul, and argue too deep an ⟨p. 24⟩habit of vanity therein. It is a true saying, Though we cannot hinder the Birds from flying over our heads, yet we may disturb their roosting or making Nests in our hair. So though we cannot well hinder the sudden suggestion of a vain thought, yet we may trouble its quiet resting in the Soul. Yet such strange subtilty is there in us, that we can keep God in play a long time (yea when our selves are employed in a Prayer) and be tampering with the world or sin all the while, the soul never coming in, till the Amen of a Prayer do awaken us*. But other Distractions are but short, only a step out of the way, and in again, and the soul catcheth the faster hold of God. And indeed when the soul doth follow hard after God (as every one should do in his service.) though it stumble, as it often happens to the most earnest in the way, yet it recovers to its advantage, being more zealous after; The fall of the former being like that of the Swine, who lyes still in her mire; The fall of the latter, ⟨p. 25⟩like the Sheep that falling riseth, and runs the faster. And thus you have seen the several kinds of Distractions, which was the second general Head.
- *Cerenus writes of Theophylact a Patriarch of Constantinople that he kept 2000 horses fed with Dates and Almonds and watered them in Wine, And being on a time, (while he was performing his Office in the Temple of Sophia) told in his Ear that his Mare Pha•bante had foal'd, he broke of his Service went home to see it, and then came and set in again. What was ill done by him in Person, is not well done by us in spirit.Cerenus writes of Theophylact a Patriarch of Constantinople that he kept 2000 horses fed with Dates and Almonds and watred them in Wine, And being on a time, (while he was performing his Office in the Temple of Sophia) told in his Ear that his Mare Pha•bante had foal'd, he broke of his Service went home to see it, and then came and set in again. What was ill done by him in Person, is not well done by us in spirit.
