A30585:188
Gospel-worship, or, The right manner of sanctifying the name of God in general and…
Gospel-worship, or, The right manner of sanctifying the name of God in general and particularly in these three great ordinances, viz. [brace] 1. hearing of the Word, 2. receiving the Lords Supper, 3. prayer / by Jeremiah Burroughs ; being the second of the seven volumes lately published by Thomas Goodwin ... [et al.]Gospel-worship, or, The right manner of sanctifying the name of God in general and particularly in these three great ordinances, viz. [brace] 1. hearing of the Word, 2. receiving the Lords Supper, 3. prayer / by Jeremiah Burroughs ; being the second of the seven volumns lately published by Thomas Goodwin ... [et al.]
London: printed by Peter Cole, 1653
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.
The Fourth thing for preparation is, To Watch and to Pray: We should watch over our hearts lest they be made unfit for duties. So we should prepare for Prayer all day long in this sense, that is, we should watch over our hearts that they be not let out so far as to hinder us in prayer when we come to do ⟨p. 51⟩it. I remember that Tertullian saith, That the Christians did so sup as if they were to pray: So when thou art in company thou shouldest watch unto prayer. Oh that you did so! you cannot but be conscious to your selves, that oftentimes when you have bin in company your hearts have been put out of tune and frame, that you have been no way fit for prayer; when you come home your house and family finds it so: You that take such delight in company, and sitting up late I appeal to your consciences, whether you can come home and find your selves fit either in your family, or closet to go and open you hearts to God.
This is one Note by the way whereby you may come to know whether you have been immoderate in company at any time; God gives not men liberty to be busy in any outward occasions so as to unfit them for his Service. Preparation consists in that, in watching over your hearts, that you may not be unfitted for any holy duty when God calls you to it, but that you may be ready even to every good work
This is one Note by the way wherby you may come to know whether you have been immoderate in company at any time; God gives not men liberty to be busie in any outward occasions so as to unfit them for his Service. Preparation consists in that, in watching over your hearts, that you may not be unfitted for any holy duty when God calls you to it, but that you may be ready even to every good work
The Fifth Note is this, Preparation consists in the readiness of the faculties of the Soul, and the Graces of the Spirit of God' presently to act upon the setting upon an holy Duty. When a man or woman shall find the faculties of their soul, and the graces that are in them, to be ready to act as soon as ever they fall upon duty: Just as you see a company of Ringers when they have made all preparation for the raising of the Bells, then in an instant when thy begin to pull, all the Bells go in that tune that according to their skill they set them in. And so it should be with our hearts, the faculties of our souls and graces, though now we are not upon duty, yet we should be so ready, that as it were upon a pull, all the faculties of our souls, and the graces of Gods Spirit should work in a melodious way; There are those that keep their hearts so prepared, as at the very first moment that they set about the duty of Worship, all faculties and graces begin to act and stir and are working towards God; As a fire, when all the matter is ready laid, presently it comes to be kindled and flame out; and thus it should be with our hearts: So that now you see wherein preparation of our hearts to Duty consists.