Speculum theologiæ in Christo, or, A view of some divine truths which are either…

he would not only pour out words to God, but his very Heart and Spirit, if it were possible, all of it, without reserving so much as a glance or a piece of a broken thought towards carnal things; a Duty to the Great God is a thing of vast import and consequence; therefore he would do it with the greatest strength of intention and affection. David like he calls upon his Soul, and all that is within him to intend the thing in hand; but because when he hath done his utmost, there will yet be many failures and infirmities; the holy Man looks up to Mercy for a Pardon, and offers up all his Duties in and through Jesus Christ the great Mediator. In the Old Testament ⟨p. 430⟩the holy Man prayed thus, Remember, O my God, and spare me, Neh. 13.22. Enter not into judgment with thy Servant, Psal. 143.2. If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, who shall stand? Psal. 130.3. The sense of their many imperfections made them fly to a Mercy-seat: In the New Testament we are expressly directed, To do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, Col. 3.17. To make our approaches to God in and through him, Eph. 2.18. To offer up spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by him, 1 Pet. 2.5. Every Duty must be tendered unto God in and through the Mediator: therefore the holy Man doth not stand upon the Perfection of his Services, but implore a Pardon of his Infirmities; neither doth he tender his Services immediately unto God, but he puts them into the hand of Christ, that being perfumed, and as it were, glorified by his merits, they might from thence ascend up before God, and be graciously accepted by him. Moreover, because Ordinances are but Medium's and Channels of Grace, the Holy Man in the use of them lifts up his Eyes to God, to have them filled with the Divine Spirit and Blessing; a mere outward Sanctuary of Ordinances will not serve his turn; he would see the Power and the Glory, the goings of God in it: He cannot live by Bread only; not the Life of Nature by the Bread of Creatures only; not the Life of Grace by the Bread of Ordinances only: in both he waits for that word of Blessing, which proceeds out of God's Mouth; this is that which makes the Ordinance communicate Grace and Comfort to us: When the Word is preached, it is not enough to the holy Man to have the Sacred Truths outwardly proposed, or to hear the voice of a Man teaching the same;