Of Communion with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

Now to further us in this duty and the daily constant practise of it, I shall add one or two considerations that may be of importance thereunto. as,

Now to further us in this duty and the daily constant practise of it, I shall adde one or two considerations that may be of importance thereunto. as,

1. It is exceeding acceptable unto God even our Father, that we should thus hold Communion with him in his Love; that he §. 11 may be received into our Souls, as one full of Love, tenderness and kindness towards us. Flesh and Blood is apt to have very hard thoughts of him; to think he is always angry, yea implacable: that it is not for poor creatures to draw nigh to him: that nothing in the World is more desirable then never to come into his presence, or (as they say) where he hath any thing to do. ^mWho amongst us shall dwell with that devouring fire, who amongst us shall inhabit with those everlasting burnings? say the sinners in Zion: and ⁿI knew thou wast an austere man, saith the evil Servant in the Gospel. Now there is not any thing more grievous to the Lord, nor more subservient to the design of Satan upon the Soul, then such thoughts as these. Satan claps his hands (if I may so say) when he can take up the Soul with such thoughts of God: he hath enough, all that he doth desire. This hath been his design, and way from the beginning. The ^ofirst blood, that Murderer shed, was by this means. He leads our first Parents into hard thoughts of God. hath God said so? hath he threatened you with death? he knows well enough, it will be better with you: with this Engine did ⟨p. 35⟩he batter, and overthrow all mankind in ^p