Gospel-worship, or, The right manner of sanctifying the name of God in general. And…

1 First, The strength of intention. We must intend our work as if it were for our lives: If ever we were seriously Intentive or Attentive about any thing, it must be when we are worshipping of the Name of God. When you are coming to Pray, be Intent about it. You shall see some when they are going in the street when they have much intention about their business, their friends meet them, and they never mind them; one may perceive as they are going, that they are mightily intent about their business. My Brethren, look upon every duty o• Worship as a great thing which you must be intent in your thoughts about, and not give way to the wandering of your thoughts. I have read of one Martyr, that when he was to die, and the fire a kindling, saith an Officer, What! will not you speak when you see the fire kindling? Saith he, I am speaking to God: that is, he was praying, and he minded not at all what they were doing. O what little things do take our thoughts away from holy duties! When every toy, every feather, every light matter calls them off; Is this to Sanctify Gods Name? Would not we account it a dishonourable thing, if we were talking to one about serious business, and when we are talking, every one that comes by he should be looking after them, and turning aside to talk with them? If a Superior be talking with you, he doth expect that you should mind what he saith. But when God is speaking to you, and you are speaking to God, every vain thought that comes by, you are turning aside too: as if it were a greater thing to talk to vain thoughts and temptations, than to the great and glorious God. Therefore now that is the very time that the Devil chooses for to bring temptations when we are in holy duties, for the Devil knows then he doth two works at once: he doth disturb us in our duties and call off our hearts to that that is wicked, and doth aggravate our s n exceedingly. It may be thou wilt not dare to commit that sin that the temptation doth turn thy thoughts upon, yea but the Devil hath spoiled the duty by it. The Lord doth expect that there should be strength of Intention when thou art upon the duty:

1 First, The strengih of intention. We must intend our work as if it were for our lives: If ever we were seriously Intentive or Attentive about any thing, it must be when we are worshipping of the Name of God. When you are coming to Pray, be Intent about it. You shall see some when they are going in the street when they have much intention about their businesse, their friends meet them, and they never mind them; one may perceive as they are going, that they are mightily intent about their business. My Brethren, look upon every duty o Worship as a great thing which you must be intent in your thoughts about, and not give way to the wandring of your thoughts. I have read of one Martyr, that when he was to die, and the fire a kindling, saith an Officer, What! will not you speak when you see the fire kindling? Saith he, I am speaking to God: that is, he was praying, and he minded not at all what they were doing. O what little things do take our thoughts away from holy duties! When every toy, every feather, every light matter cals them off; Is this to Sanctifie Gods Name? Would not we account it a dishonorable thing, if we were talking to one about serious business, and when we are talking, every one that comes by he should be looking after them, and turning aside to talk with them? If a Superiour be talking with you, he doth expect that you should mind what he saith. But when God is speaking to you, and you are speaking to God, every vain thought that comes by, you are turning aside too: as if it were a greater thing to talk to vain thoughts and temptations, than to the great and glorious God. Therefore now that is the very time that the Devil chuses for to bring temptations when we are in holy duties, for the Devil knows then he doth two works at once: he doth disturb us in our duties and call off our hearts to that that is wicked, and doth aggravate our s n exceedingly. It may be thou wilt not dare to cōmit that sin that the temptation doth turn thy thoughts upon, yea but the Devill hath spoiled the duty by it. The Lord doth expect that there should be strength of Intention when thou art upon the duty: