I. The true and ordinary means of Gods worship, as calling upon the name of the Lord by humble supplication, and hearty thanksgiving: and the ministry of the Word, and Sacraments. Act. 2.41,42. They that gladly received his word, were baptized: & the same day there were added to the Church about three thousand souls. And they continued in the Apostles doctrine, and fellowship, and breaking of bread, and of prayers. 1. Tim. 2.1. I exhort you especially, that prayers & supplications be made for all men, for kings, & all in authority. Act. 20.7. The first day of the week, the Disciples being come together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow, and continued the preaching unto midnight. Tertul. Apolog. chap. 39. We come into the assembly and congregation, that with our prayers, as with an army, we might compass God. This kind of violence offered to God, is acceptable to him. If any man so offend, that he must be suspended from the public place of prayer, and holy meetings, all ancient men, that be of any account, bear rule, being advanced to this honour, not by bribes, but by their good report, &c. read the rest.
II. An holy use of the means. First, in the ministers, who ought to administer all things belonging to Gods worship, according to his word. Math. 28. 20. Teaching them to observe all things, which I have commanded. 1. Corinthians 11. 23. I have received of the Lord that which also I have delivered. Secondly, in the rest of the assembly: whose duty is in praying unto God, in hearing the word preached and read, and in receiving the Sacraments to behave them selves outwardly in modesty, and without offence. 1. Corinth. 14.40. Let all things be done honestly, and by order. Inwardly, they must take heed, that their hearts be well prepared to serve God. Eccles. 4.17. Take heed to both thy feet, when thou enterest into the house of God, &c. and chap. 5.1. Be not rash with thy mouth, nor let thine heart he hasty to utter a thing before God. Again, we must look that we approach near God in confidence of his mercy, together with a contrite and repentant heart for all our sins. Heb. 4. 2. The word that they heard profited not, because it was not mixed with faith in those that heard it. Psal. 26.6. I will wash mine hands in innocency; O Lord, and so come before thine altar.
III.
I. The true and ordinarie meanes of Gods worshippe, as calling vpon the name of the Lord by humble supplication, and hartie thanksgiuing: and the ministerie of the Word, and Sacraments. Act. 2.41,42. They that gladly receiued his word, were baptized: & the same day there were added to the Church about three thousand soules. And they continued in the Apostles doctrine, and fellowship, and breaking of bread, and of prayers. 1. Tim. 2.1. I exhort you especially, that praiers & supplicatiōs be made for all men, for kings, & all in authoritie. Act. 20.7. The first day of the weeke, the Disciples being come togither to breake bread, Paul preached vnto them, readie to depart on the morrow, and continued the preaching vnto midnight. Tertul. Apolog. chap. 39. We come into the assemblie and congregation, that with our praiers, as with an armie, we might compasse God. This kind of violence offered to God, is acceptable to him. If any man so offend, that he must bee suspended from the publike place of praier, and holy meetings, all ancient men, that be of any account, beare rule, being aduanced to this honour, not by bribes, but by their good report, &c. read the rest.
II. An holy vse of the meanes. First, in the ministers, who ought to administer al things belonging to Gods worship, according to his word. Math. 28. 20. Teaching them to obserue all things, which I haue commaunded. 1. Corinthians 11. 23. I haue receiued of the Lord that which also I haue deliuered. Secondly, in the rest of the assemblie: whose dutie is in praying vnto God, in hearing the word preached and read, and in receiuing the Sacraments to behaue thē selues outwardly in modestie, and without offence. 1. Corinth. 14.40. Let all things be done honestly, and by order. Inwardly, they must take heede, that their hearts be well prepared to serue God. Eccles. 4.17. Take heede to both thy feete, when thou entrest into the house of God, &c. and chap. 5.1. Be not rash with thy mouth, nor let thine heart he hastie to vtter a thing before God. Againe, wee must looke that wee approch neere God in confidence of his mercie, togither with a contrite and repentant heart for all our sinnes. Heb. 4. 2. The word that they heard profited not, because it was not mixed with faith in those that heard it.
