A Body of Practical Divinity

3. Labour for an Holy Frame of Heart. Were the Heart more Spiritual, the Mind would be less Feathery.

4. Bring more Love to the Word. That which we love we fix our Minds upon. He that loves his Pleasures and Recreations, his Mind is fixed on them, and he can follow them without Distraction. Were our Love more set upon the Word Preached, our Minds would be more fixed upon it. And surely, there is enough to make us love the Word Preached, for it is the Word of Life—the Inlet to Knowledge, the Antidote against Sin, the Quickener of Holy Affections: It is the True Manna, which hath all sorts of sweet Tastes in it. It is the Pool of Bethesda, in which the Rivers of Life spring forth to heal the broken in Heart. It is a Sovereign Elixir or Cordial to revive the sorrowful Spirit. Get Love to the Word Preached, and you will not be so distracted in hearing. What the Heart delights in, the Thoughts dwell upon.

4. Bring more Love to the Word. That which we love we fix our Minds upon. He that loves his Pleasures and Recreations, his Mind is fixed on them, and he can follow them without Distraction. Were our Love more set upon the Word Preached, our Minds would be more fixed upon it. And surely, there is enough to make us love the Word Preached, for it is the Word of Life—the Inlet to Knowledge, the Antidote against Sin, the Quickner of Holy Affections: It is the True Manna, which hath all sorts of sweet Tasts in it. It is the Pool of Bethesda, in which the Rivers of Life spring forth to heal the broken in Heart. It is a Soveveraign Elixir or Cordial to revive the sorrowful Spirit. Get Love to the Word Preached, and you will not be so distracted in hearing. What the Heart delights in, the Thoughts dwell upon.

II. If you would sanctify the Sabbath by diligent attentive hearing, take heed of Drowsiness in Hearing. Drowsiness shows much Irreverence. How lively are many when they are about the World, but in the Worship of God how drowsy, as if the Devil had given them some Opium to make them sleep! A Drowsy Temper is (now) very absurd and sinful. Are not you in Prayer asking Pardon of sin? Will the Prisoner fall asleep when he is begging his Pardon? In the Preaching of the Word is not the Bread of Life breaking to you, and will a Man fall asleep at his Food? Which is worse, to stay from a Sermon, or sleep at a Sermon? While you sleep, perhaps that Truth was delivered, which might have converted your Souls. Besides, sleeping is very offensive in these Holy Assemblies: It is not only a grieving the Spirit of God, but a making the Hearts of the Righteous sad,