A remedy for wandering thoughts in worship - Steele - V - Chapter 4

Required reading
A remedy for wandering thoughts in worship by Richard Steele (Available from Heritage Books or free here) - Read Chapter 4.

My summary
This week Steele gives reasons why we ought to attend on the Lord without distraction.

Firstly we should not be distracted because of the nature of God, particularly his:
(i) greatness;
(ii) holiness;
(iii) omniscience;

Secondly we should not be distracted because of the nature of God's worship.  It is worship that is:
(i) reasonable;
(ii) spiritual;
(iii) sweet.

Thirdly we should not be distracted because of the nature of our condition:
(i) we cannot live without God;
(ii) our only way of communion with God is in an ordinance;
(iii) all our strength and heart is too little for this business.

Fourthly we should not be distracted because of the nature of distractions.  Distractions:
(i) divide the heart and disable it wholly;
(ii) frustrate the ordinance;
(iii) contract more sin upon the soul.

What grabbed me
I found the point about the nature of God to be most helpful: 'Remember a great God must be worshipped with profound veneration, and the most serious affections. A man must worship God, as if he were in heaven ; oh ! if thou wert there among those myriads of saints and angels, with what care, and humility, and earnestness, wouldest thou pour out thy heart to him, or hear his words to thee.'

When we are distracted in worship, we really have lost sight of how great God is.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 5.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.