And here let me speak one word to to you who are Church-wardens, and are entrusted with the care of Presenting Disorders to the Governors of the Church; to beseech you to consider the Religion and Sacredness of that Oath, which in the House of God, and as you expect help from God, you promise to perform; with the reverence of which Oath, and fear of Gods dreadful Name, were you so throughly affected, as indeed you ought, we should not see what with grief we do, so great contempt of Gods House and Ordinances, as if they were common and profane things; many scarce throughout the whole year making their Confession of sins to God in the Assembly of his People, many seldom or never hearing any one Psalm of David, or Chapter of the holy Scriptures read unto them; nay, many neglecting the whole Liturgy of the Church, and dropping in after the Sermon is begun; and though the Preacher have taken sad pains for what in the Name of God he speaks unto them, having not yet the patience to stay till that piece of the hour be ended. Certainly, David had learned more reverence to the Lords House, I was glad when they said, Let us go into the House of the Lord, Psal. 122.1. And so had Cornelius, who with his kindred and near friends waited for the coming of Peter, Acts 10.24. And so had Solomon, who teacheth men to wait daily at the ⟨p. 45⟩gates, and to give attendance at the posts of the doors of Gods House, Prov. 8.34. And the Prophecies foretell the like of Gods People under the Gospel, that they should call upon one another, and should Go speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord, Zach. 8.21. I speak this in zeal to the service of God, and to the reverence of his Sanctuary, and beseech you by the sacredness of your Oath, and for the fear of Gods Name to think upon it.
And here let me speak one word to to you who are Church-wardens, and are entrusted with the care of Presenting Disorders to the Governours of the Church; to beseech you to consider the Religion and Sacrednesse of that Oath, which in the House of God, and as you expect helpe from God, you promise to performe; with the reverence of which Oath, and fear of Gods dreadfull Name, were you so throughly affected, as indeed you ought, wee should not see what with grief wee doe, so great contempt of Gods House and Ordinances, as if they were common and profane things; many scarce throughout the whole yeare making their Confession of sinnes to God in the Assembly of his People, many seldom or never hearing any one Psalme of David, or Chapter of the holy Scriptures read unto them; nay, many neglecting the whole Liturgie of the Church, and dropping in after the Sermon is begun; and though the Preacher have taken sad paines for what in the Name of God he speaks unto them, having not yet the patience to stay till that peice of the hour be ended. Certainly, David had learned more reverence to the Lords House, I was glad when they said, Let us go into the House of the Lord, Psal. 122.1. And so had Cornelius, who with his kindred and neer friends waited for the coming of Peter, Acts 10.24. And so had Solomon, who teacheth men to wait daily at the ⟨p. 45⟩gates, and to give attendance at the postes of the doores of Gods House, Prov. 8.34. And the Prophecies foretell the like of Gods People under the Gospell, that they should call upon one another, and should Goe speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seeke the Lord, Zach. 8.21. I speake this in zeale to the service of God, and to the reverence of his Sanctuary, and beseech you by the sacrednesse of your Oath, and for the feare of Gods Name to thinke upon it.
