A Body of Practical Divinity

2. Obedience must be Devout and Fervent, Rom. 12.11. [Greek or Hebrew], Fervent in Spirit, &c. Quae ebullit prae ardour, It alludes to Water that boils over. So the Heart must boil over with Hot Affections in the Service of God. The Glorious Angels who for their burning in Fervour and Devotion, are called Seraphims; these God chooseth to serve him in Heaven. The Snail under the Law was unclean, because a dull Slothful Creature. Obedience without Fervency, is like a Sacrifice without Fire. Why should not our Obedience be lively and Fervent? God deserves the Flower and Strength of our Affections. Domitian would not have his Statue carved in Wood or Iron, but in Gold. Lively Affections make ⟨p. 243⟩Golden Services. It is Fervency makes Obedience acceptable: Elijah was fervent in Spirit, and his Prayers opened and shut Heaven: And again he prayed, and fire fell on his Enemies, 2 Kings 1.10. Elijah's Prayer fetched Fire from Heaven, because being fervent it carried Fire up to Heaven: Quicquid decorum ex Fide proficiscitur, Aug.

2. Obedience must be Devout and Fervent, Rom. 12.11. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Fervent in Spirit, &c. Quae ebullit prae ardore, It alludes to Water that boils over. So the Heart must boil over with Hot Affections in the Service of God. The Glorious Angels who for their burning in Fervour and Devotion, are called Seraphims; these God chooseth to serve him in Heaven. The Snail under the Law was unclean, because a dull Sloathful Creature. Obedience without Fervency, is like a Sacrifice without Fire. Why should not our Obedience be lively and Fervent? God deserves the Flower and Strength of our Affections. Domitian would not have his Statue carved in Wood or Iron, but in Gold. Lively Affections make ⟨p. 243⟩Golden Services. It is Fervency makes Obedience acceptable: Eliah was fervent in Spirit, and his Prayers opened and shut Heaven: And again he pray'd, and fire fell on his Enemies,