A26957:169
Monthly preparations for the Holy Communion by R.B
Monthly preparations for the Holy Communion by R.B. ; to which is added suitable meditations before, in, and after receiving ; with divine hymns in common tunes, fitted for public congregations or private families.Monthly preparations for the Holy Communion by R.B. ; to which is added suitable meditations before, in, and after receiving ; with divine hymns in common tunes, fitted for publick congregations or private families.
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1696
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Methinks, my unbelieving heart, I could dare to tell thee, that room was no stable, it was a Palace; and did not the cost, presents, and glorious presence of Kings speak as much?
Object. But his days were spent in poverty, meanness and disgrace; and can I, dare I, trust my soul with such a one, ⟨p. 110⟩and take him to be the Son of God?
Answ. And now I wonder at thee! it's true what thou sayest, if thou lookest upon him one way; his life was such as thou tellest me of; but 'tis a strong argument against thy self; for just such a one was the Christ to be, according to the Prophets; the 53 Chap. of Isa. shows as much. But yet if thou truly understandest what true pump and glory means, even to an eye of sense as well as to that of faith, Solomon's life embroidered with all his glorious acts, was not comparable to this life of his. Was it not filled with miracles and wonders? was he not proclaimed the Son of God with voices from Heaven? did he not conquer Devils, and therefore the Kingdom of Hell? Was ever Prince on Earth honoured with so great a Conquest? Were not his miraculous Feasts more splendid than those of Princes? the fare was but poor and mean, but the miracles made it rich and glorious. Had I been present, should I not have wondered and gazed more at the Master of this Feast, and have taken more pleasure to have seen him sit down with ⟨p. 111⟩these five thousands, than with a Table full of Princes and great men? Alas, it were a trifling sight to this. Methinks my unbelief that pleads so much for sense, sense it self pleads too strongly against thee, for thou canst not argue one Syllable.