Undisturbed Devotion

“/^ is a strange co?tstancy of fixedness that is attributed to the p7’iests at ferusalein who, when Fatistus, Cor?ielittSj Furius, and Fabius broke into the city with their troops, and rushed into the temple ready to kill them, yet they we?it on with the rites of the tetnple, as if there had bee?i no assault. And strange is that other instaftce of the Spartan youth, that held the ce?tser to Alexander while he offered sacrifice. A coal lighti?ig tipon his arm, he suffered it to burn there rather than that any cryifig out of his should disturb the These instances are a shame to Christians, that we do not more intensely fix our hearts when we are in the service of God; instead of which, manymay be seen looking hither and thither, and turning their heads to the door to observe every new comer. Even in our private devotions, how soon we are distracted and carried away from the point in hand. Our minds flit and fly like birds on the hedges, which have scarcely time to settle, for as one passenger moves along the road and then another, they are ready for flight at once. At the sound of every footstep the bird is on the wing, and thus some hearts are the prey of every trifling circumstance. Saints have been undisturbed amid a crowd, while others find their prayers crowded out when they arc alone.

O Lord, assist me in my communion with thee, that my whole soul may be set upon it, and not a single thought may wander from thee. Let not even pain and care prevent my whole heart from adoring thee.