Some select cases resolved. Specially, tending to the right ordering of the heart, that…

CASE VI. Of Unwillingness to and Weariness in solemn Services.

Your sixth trouble set down in two heads, put into one for brevity, viz secret unwillingness to seek God in the strictest solemn services, before you enter into them; weariness of them while they last; and gladness when they are gone: the reasons which you mention are, partly fear of not using them aright, together with melancholy, and lastly, the strictness of them.

Answ. It is very true, there is abundance of wildness in our hearts, which naturally seek to have their liberty abroad, and cannot endure to be pent in the narrow room of holy performances, extraordinary duties, &c, no more than children can be pent up from their play. And hence we are weary of them, and glad to think of their departures and ends. And truly it is one of the most grievous miseries that a holy heart can feel, and I beseech the Lord of heaven and earth to keep you, and me, and all his for ever, while we are here in our valley, under the sense of such distempers, as our greatest misery. And therefore me thought it was a solemn sweet speech of an honest man to his friend; who seeing him oppressed with such distempers as you mention, and perceiving him to droop under them, he came cheerfully to him, and suddenly said unto him; I can tell you good news, the best that ever you heard, viz, As soon as ever you are in Heaven, ⟨p. 40⟩you shall serve Christ without weariness: Which words well thought on, revived the man. That which I would speak, with as much tenderness of compassion as I am able, to you, I refer to these things.

Answ. It is very true, there is abundance of wildness in our hearts, which naturally seek to have their liberty abroad, and cannot endure to be pent in the narrow room of holy performances, extraordinary duties, &c, no more than children can be pent up from their play. And hence we are weary of them, and glad to think of their departures and ends. And truly it is one of the most grievous miseries that a holy heart can feel, and I beseech the Lord of heaven and earth to keep you, and me, and all his for ever, while we are here in our valley, under the sense of such distempers, as our greatest misery. And therefore me thought it was a solemn sweet speech of an honest man to his friend; who seeing him oppressed with such distempers as you mention, and perceiving him to droop under them, he came chearfully to him, and suddenly said unto him; I can tell you good news, the best that ever you heard, viz, Assoon as ever you are in Heaven,