A Body of Practical Divinity

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, Ezek. 13.22. It troubles them to see any show such a Contempt of God and his Worship; to see Men busy in the Shop, but drowsy in the Temple. Therefore as Christ said, Mat. 26.40. Could ye not watch one Hour? So can ye not wake one Hour? I deny not but a Child of God may sometimes through Weakness and Indisposition of Body drop asleep at a Sermon, but it is not voluntary or ordinary. The Sun may be in an Eclipse, but not often. If sleeping be customary, and allowed, it is a very bad sign, and is a profaning of the Ordinance. A good Remedy against Drowsiness is to use a Spare Diet upon this Day. Such as indulge their Appetite too much on a Sabbath, are fitter to sleep on a Couch than pray in the Temple. Now, that you may throw off Distracting Thoughts and Drowsiness on the Lord's Day, and may hear the Word with reverend Attention, consider,

II. If you would sanctifie the Sabbath by deligent 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 drowsie, as if the Devil had given them some Opium to make them sleep! A Drowsie 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,