Answ. 4. It is an honour to Christ, and to his grace, not only when we hold forth spiritual gifts, but also when we perform Christian duties. And duties performed in Faith (without which prayer it self is not accepted) they go not without a spiritual blessing, though Nature and Art might perform the same for the outward work. The Trailing of the weapons of the Israelites, and their Military March, both in silence and shouting, about the walls of Jericho, was no greater work externally, then carnal men and Pagans might have performed as well as Israelites; but this being done by Israelites in faith and obedience to Gods command, it was mighty through God to cast down the high and strong walls of Jericho, Josh. 6.13.14, 15, 16, 20. And the Apostle looking at this and the like Precedents, setteth forth Faith as that which is prevalent and effectual in both Testaments, howsoever the work or worship be external▪ Heb. 11.30. In like manner is it with the reading of the Word, and the hearing of it, as also the silent joining in Prayer, and concluding it with Amen, though all these be such duties as Nature and Art may perform the outward work of them: yet when the people of God do perform the same in the faith of Christ, and in the obedience of Gods command, they find a gracious blessing of God. Yea carnal and profane persons and Pagans, though they cannot expect the like blessing from their empty outside performances; yet they sometimes taste more sweetness and enlargement therein, then flesh and blood ⟨p. 7⟩could imagine, 1 Sam. 10.5, 6. Saul joining with the Prophets in their holy melody found another Spirit coming on him, which also argueth (by the way) that the joining of profane and carnal hypocrites in such spiritual songs, doth not evacuate the blessing of God to his people, but rather reach forth some spiritual blessing, (though common) to such carnal hypocrites.
Answ. 4. It is an honour to Christ, and to his grace, not onely when we hold forth spirituall gifts, but also when wee performe Christian duties. And duties performed in Faith (without which prayer it selfe is not accepted) they goe not without a spirituall blessing, though Nature and Art might performe the same for the outward worke. The Trayling of the weapons of the Israelites, and their Military March, both in silence and shouting, about the walls of Jericho, was no greater worke externally, then carnall men and Pagans might have performed as well as Israelites; but this being done by Israelites in faith and obedience to Gods command, it was mightie through God to cast downe the high and strong walls of Jericho, Josh. 6.13.14, 15, 16, 20. And the Apostle looking at this and the like Precedents, setteth forth Faith as that which is prevalent and effectuall in both Testaments, howsoever the worke or worship be externall▪ Heb. 11.30. In like manner is it with the reading of the Word, and the hearing of it, as also the silent joyning in Prayer, and concluding it with Amen, though all these be such duties as Nature and Art may performe the outward worke of them: yet when the people of God doe performe the same in the faith of Christ, and in the obedience of Gods command, they find a gracious blessing of God. Yea carnall and prophane persons and Pagans, though they cannot expect the like blessing from their empty outside performances; yet they sometimes taste more sweetnesse and enlargement therein, then flesh and bloud ⟨p. 7⟩could imagine, 1 Sam. 10.5, 6. Saul joyning with the Prophets in their holy melody found another Spirit coming on him, which also argueth (by the way) that the joyning of prophane and carnall hypocrites in such spirituall songs, doth not evacuate the blessing of God to his people, but rather reach forth some spirituall blessing, (though common) to such carnall hypocrites.
