A65285:2203
A Body of Practical Divinity
A body of practical divinity consisting of above one hundred seventy six sermons on the lesser catechism composed by the reverend assembly of divines at Westminster : with a supplement of some sermons on several texts of Scripture / by Thomas Watson ...
London: printed for Thomas Parkurst, 1692
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Thirdly, Vain Thoughts in Hearing discover much want of Love to God. Did we love God, we should listen to his Words as Oracles, and bind them upon the Table of our Heart, Prov. 3.3. When a Friend whom we love speaks to us, and gives us Advice, we mind it with Seriousness, and suck in every Word. The giving our Thoughts leave to ramble in Holy Duties, shows the Defect of our Love to God.
Fourthly, Vain impertinent Thoughts in Hearing defile an Ordinance: They are as dead Flies in the Box of Ointment. When a String in the L•te is out of Tune, it spoils the Music. Distraction of Thoughts puts our Mind out of Tune, and makes our Services sound harsh and unpleasant. Wandering Thoughts poison a Duty, and turn it into sin. Psal. 109.7. Let his Prayer become sin. What can be worse, than to have a Man's Praying and Hearing of the Word become sin? Were it not sad when the Meat we eat should increase bad Humours? So when the Hearing of the Word, which is the Food of the Soul, should be turned into Sin?
Fourthly, Vain impertinent Thoughts in Hearing defile an Ordinance: They are as dead Flies in the Box of Oyntment. When a String in the L•te is out of Tune, it spoils the Musick. Distraction of Thoughts puts our Mind out of Tune, and makes our Services sound harsh and unpleasant. Wandring Thoughts poyson a Duty, and turn it into sin. Psal. 109.7. Let his Prayer become sin. What can be worse, than to have a Man's Praying and Hearing of the Word become sin? Were it not sad when the Meat we eat should encrease bad Humours? So when the Hearing of the Word, which is the Food of the Soul, should be turned into Sin?