1. I will show how the Scriptures in the general do call for this Holy Awe of the Majesty of God in all our Worship. Psal. 111. 9. Holy and reverend is his name, and therefore never to be used by us, but in an awful and serious manner; Psal. 96. 4. The Lord is great and greatly to be praised, he is to be feared above all Gods▪ Whether ⟨p. 196⟩we pray, or whether we praise God, still the heart must be deeply possessed with a sense of his Excellency, and we must admire him, above all created or imaginable greatness whatsoever, and so mingle reverence, with our most delightful Addresses to him. Again, Psal. 89. 17. God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of his Saints, and to be had in reverence of all that are round about him. Holy Angels, and sanctified Men, who of all Creatures have nearest Access to God, should most adore and reverence him, because they are best acquainted with him, and have the clearest sight of him that mortal creatures are capable of. The Angels are an assembly of holy Ones, that always behold his Face; therefore always Lauding and Glorifying God: So God is said to be terrible in his holy places, Psal. 68. 35. whether Heaven, or the Church; indeed the awful carriage of his people in his Worship should be one means to convince of the Excellency and Majesty of God, 1 Cor. 14. 25. The Apostle showeth there, that an Unbeliever coming into the Christian Assemblies when they are managed with Gravity and Awe is convinced and judged, and will fall down on his face and worship God, and say, God is in you of a truth. That is, seeing their Humility, brokenness ⟨p. 197⟩of Heart, hearing their praises and admirations of God, and seeing their orderliness and composedness of Spirit; whereas rudeness, slightness and irreverence, doth pollute and stain the glory of God in their Minds.
1. I will shew how the Scriptures in the general do call for this Holy Awe of the Majesty of God in all our Worship. Psal. 111. 9. Holy and reverend is his name, and therefore never to be used by us, but in an awful and serious manner; Psal. 96. 4. The Lord is great and greatly to be praised, he is to be feared above all Gods▪ Whether ⟨p. 196⟩we pray, or whether we praise God, still the heart must be deeply possessed with a sense of his Excellency, and we must admire him, above all created or imaginable greatness whatsoever, and so mingle reverence, with our most delightful Addresses to him. Again, Psal. 89. 17. God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of his Saints, and to be had in reverence of all that are round about him. Holy Angels, and sanctified Men, who of all Creatures have nearest Access to God, should most adore and reverence him, because they are best acquainted with him, and have the clearest sight of him that mortal creatures are capable of. The Angels are an assembly of holy Ones, that alwayes behold his Face; therefore alwayes Lauding and Glorifying God: So God is said to be terrible in his holy places, Psal. 68. 35. whether Heaven, or the Church; indeed the awful carriage of his people in his Worship should be one means to convince of the Excellency and Majesty of God, 1 Cor. 14. 25. The Apostle sheweth there, that an Unbeliever coming into the Christian Assemblies when they are managed with Gravity and Awe is convinced and judged, and will fall down on his face and worship God, and say, God is in you of a truth. That is, seeing their Humility, brokenness ⟨p. 197⟩of Heart, hearing their praises and admirations of God, and seeing their orderliness and composedness of Spirit; whereas rudeness, slightness and irreverence, doth pollute and stain the glory of God in their Minds.
