§. 74. Neither are those free therefore from danger of discontinuing this their watchfulness, that out of a vain presumption of their own spiritual parts, can content themselves with their own private devotions; supposing that they may as well, & as effectually sanctify a Sabbath by reading and meditating and praying apart by themselves, as by being present at, and adjoining themselves to the public assemblies of Gods Saints. It is a spice of intolerable pride and presumption for any to be so conceited of themselves. David was of a far other mind, and therefore led by another spirit, then they are that so imagine. He was ga man after Gods own heart; and a man of excellent parts. The word of God not only hdwelt plentifully in him; but iflowed abundantly from him: he was able not to kadmonish himself alone, but lto instruct, direct, and edify others: he could not only sing Psalms, but mpen hymns, both of praise and of prayer: many holy and heavenly meditations had he in the time of his exilement, as may appear by nthose divine ditties during it composed of him. And yet could not he content himself with these his private devotions. But, as ⟨p. 114⟩oit was the very joy of his heart, when he was at home, to repair to the Temple, to the public assemblies there held: so nothing made his banishment, and his abode in foreign parts, more bitter unto him, then this, that by means thereof he was restrained of repairing unto them, and of joining with Gods people in such holy duties as were there daily performed. Read divers of the Psalms framed by him during that time; and consider well, phow bitterly he bewaileth his restraint in this kind; how instantly he sueth to God for freedom of resort; how he blesseth those that had liberty of repair or place of abode there, even the very birds themselves that had access but to build thereabout: and you will soon see a strange difference between that worthy man of God and these, that so highly over-prize their own private devotions, as thus to under-value the public assemblies of Gods Saints, and the ministry of his word.
§. 74. Neither are those free therefore from danger of discontinuing this their watchfulnesse, that out of a vaine presumption of their owne spirituall parts, can content themselues with their owne priuate deuotions; supposing that they may as well, & as effectually sanctifie a Sabbath by reading and meditating and praying apart by themselues, as by being present at, and adioyning themselues to the publike assemblies of Gods Saints. It is a spice of intolerable pride and presumption for any to be so conceited of themselues. Dauid was of a farre other minde, and therefore led by another spirit, then they are that so imagine. He was ga man after Gods owne heart; and a man of excellent parts. The word of God not onely hdwelt plentifully in him; but iflowed abundantly from him: he was able not to kadmonish himselfe alone, but lto instruct, direct, and edifie others: hee could not onely sing Psalmes, but mpen hymnes, both of praise and of praier: many holy and heauenly meditations had he in the time of his exilement, as may appeare by nthose diuine ditties during it composed of him. And yet could not he content himselfe with these his priuate deuotions. But, as ⟨p. 114⟩oit was the very ioy of his heart, when hee was at home, to repaire to the Temple, to the publike assemblies there held: so nothing made his banishment, and his abode in forraine parts, more bitter vnto him, then this, that by meanes thereof hee was restrained of repairing vnto them, and of ioyning with Gods people in such holy duties as were there daily performed. Read diuers of the Psalmes framed by him during that time; and consider well, phow bitterly hee bewaileth his restraint in this kinde; how instantly hee sueth to God for freedome of resort; how hee blesseth those that had liberty of repaire or place of abode there, euen the very birds themselues that had accesse but to build thereabout: and you will soone see a strange difference betweene that worthy man of God and these, that so highly ouer-prize their owne priuate deuotions, as thus to vnder-value the publike assemblies of Gods Saints, and the ministery of his word.
- g1 Sam. 13. 14.
- hColoss. 3. 16.Col•ss. 3. 16.
- iJohn 7▪ 38.Iohn 7▪ 38.
- kPsal. 16. 7.
- lPsal. 32. 8. & 51. 13.
- m2 Sam▪ 2•. 1. The sweet Songster of Israel.
- nPsal. 7 & 22. & 34. & 52. & 54. & 56. & 57. & 1•9. &c.
- oPsal. 42. 4. & 122. 1.
- pPsal. 27. 4. & 42. & 63. & 84.
