A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

(2.) There may be Customariness, for fashion sake. It is said of Christ, That he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath-Day, as his Custom was. We may use accustomed Duties; but we must not do them customarily, and for fashion sake, no more than Christ himself did; for tho this was his Custom, yet he was not customary in these his Synagogue-Attendances. We are very apt to do so, because we have used it for these many Years. Men go on in a Tract of Duty, and regard not the Ends of Worship. Zech. 7. 3. they come ⟨p. 38⟩with a fond Scruple, and Case of Conscience, to the Prophet: They had an old Custom among them, to •ast for the Destruction of the Temple; now when the Temple was built again, Should I weep in the •ith Month, separating my self, as I have done these so many Years?

(3.) Much Slightness and Perfunctoriness of Heart you may be guilty of. Such is the Wickedness of Men, that they think God will be put off with any thing. And tho they would set off themselves with Applause in the hearing of others, yet how slight are they apt to be, when they deal with God alone. Consider, you must sanctify the Name of God in private, as well as in public; you must speak to God with Reverence and Fear, and not in an overly fashion. Take heed of this Slightness; it is a great Wrong to the Majesty of God. When they offered a sickly Offering, saith God, I am a great King, and my Name is dreadful among the Heathen: You do not consider my Majesty.

(3.) Much Slightness and Perfunctoriness of Heart you may be guilty of. Such is the Wickedness of Men, that they think God will be put off with any thing. And tho they would set off themselves with Applause in the hearing of others, yet how slight are they apt to be, when they deal with God alone. Consider, you must sanctify the Name of God in private, as well as in publick; you must speak to God with Reverence and Fear, and not in an overly fashion. Take heed of this Slightness; it is a great Wrong to the Majesty of God. When they offered a sickly Offering, saith God, I am a great King, and my Name is dreadful among the Heathen: You do not consider my Majesty.