But ah! most lamentable is the state of some prostitute wretches of our age, that are (I fear almost) incurably gone with spiritual ulcers in their lungs, and eating putrid cancers in their tongues, that breath nothing but venom, and openly spit out their rotten Atheistical jeers against the spirit of prayer, and make a mock at communion with God. That scoff at what God hath promised as one of the choicest tokens of his love to the Church,1 and symptoms of the glory of the latter times, when God will turn such Ishmaels, into ⟨p. 294⟩the desert,2 and their drunken Songs shall expire in dreadful howlings. Profaner than many heathens, that in the Primitive times had some reverence for Christian worship, though they persecuted. But those of this adulterous Romish age,3 like brute beasts speak evil of what they are ignorant, and are in danger to perish utterly in their own corruption: pity such, if there be yet hope, and commend their condition to God's mercy and penitent sorrow: that they may weep here, where tears prick; not in hell, where they scald and burn, and swell that river of brimstone.4 In the mean time, O ye that fear the Lord, be diligent to observe and interpret messages after secret prayer; for the life and joy of a Christian is improved by it. God has declared himself graciously pleased with secret prayer,5 so as to send an Angel, that glorious creature, to fly into Daniel's chamber, and he weary with flying; he moved so swiftly, [volans in lassitudine] as the original text expresses it. What a high expression is this, that even Angels are represented weary with hasty flights to bring Saints their answers: and of what great account does the Lord esteem his praying people, that Angels are expressed to be tired in bringing tidings of mercy.
But ah! most lamentable is the state of some prostitute wretches of our age, that are (I fear almost) incurably gone with spiritual ulcers in their lungs, and eating putrid cancers in their tongues, that breath nothing but venom, and openly spit out their rotten Atheistical jeers against the spirit of prayer, and make a mock at communion with God. That scoff at what God hath promised as one of the choicest tokens of his love to the Church,1 and symptoms of the glory of the latter times, when God will turn such Ishmaels, into ⟨p. 294⟩the desert,2 and their drunken Songs shall expire in dreadful howlings. Prophaner than many heathens, that in the Primitive times had some reverence for Christian worship, though they persecuted. But those of this adulterous Romish age,3 like brute beasts speak evil of what they are ignorant, and are in danger to perish utterly in their own corruption: pity such, if there be yet hope, and commend their condition to God's mercy and penitent sorrow: that they may weep here, where tears prick; not in hell, where they scauld and burn, and swell that river of brimstone.4 In the mean time, O ye that fear the Lord, be diligent to observe and interpret messages after secret prayer; for the life and joy of a Christian is improved by it. God has declared himself graciously pleased with secret prayer,5 so as to send an Angel, that glorious creature, to fly into Daniel's chamber, and he weary with flying; he moved so swiftly, [volans in lassitudine] as the original text expresses it. What a high expression is this, that even Angels are represented weary with hasty flights to bring Saints their answers: and of what great account does the Lord esteem his praying people, that Angels are exprest to be tired in bringing tidings of mercy.
- 1Zech. 12.10. Joel 2.28, 32. Rom. 10.13. Joh. 7.39.
- 2Amos 8.10. Job 30.31.
- 32 Pet. 2.12.
- 4Gerson T. 2. 49. KK. 3.
- 5Dan. 9.21. [Greek or Hebrew] V•lans in lassitudine.Dan. 9.21. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 V•lans in lassitudine.
