Christs temptation and transfiguration practically explained and improved in several sermons /

Is to press us to two things; I. To press us to an holy Awe and Reverence, when we come near to God. II. To take heed that our fear of God do not degenerate into a slavish fear.

First, To press us to an holy Awe and Reverence of God, when we draw nigh unto him. Surely we should in all our Worship have such thoughts of God, as may leave a stamp of Humility, and some Impressions of the Majesty and Excellency of God upon us; and we should fall upon our faces, though not in a way of Consternation, yet in a way of Adoration. And because usually we bewray much slightness and Irreverence in our converses with God and Approaches to him, I shall press it a little.

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,