Gods husbandry

Moreover, for the matter, or rather manner of their performing these duties of piety.¹ The hypocrite doth rest himself satisfied in the formality of religion, in the external act, in a good and formal fashion discharged, not greatly heeding the power of religion in his soul, and the secret disposition of his heart. If he have framed a good prayer, in fit words, and uttered it in convenient gestures, he is well apaid, and hopes the service shall be accepted, though he had not any working of fervour in his heart, any life, any feeling, any true touch of the things which his tongue did utter. If he have said good words with a good intent, all is well; though his affections had not the impression of the matter of his words settled in them. So, if he hear the Word with decent intention, and can carry away a good part of it, to speak of afterwards, if occasion serve, it is well, he is herein satisfied and contented, ⟨p. 70⟩though his soul hath not been stirred with the power of the Word. Even as the false-hearted Jews esteemed themselves to have abundantly satisfied the Law, if they did tie the sacrifices with cords to the Altar, though their souls were nothing affected with the spiritual things, that those external types did represent. But the upright soul is much displeased with himself and his services, unless he feel the power of godliness in them. Hence it is, that he is very sensible of deadness, and calls much (with David) for quickening, and unless he find the efficacy and fruit of good exercises in his heart, he is much disquieted, and displeased with himself, and cannot tell how to be satisfied with having so served God: for he looketh to God that searcheth the heart, and therefore it cannot give him content, if he have not found his worship hearty. And so do the true and false Christians devotions differ for end, matter, and manner.

Moreouer, for the matter, or rather manner of their performing these duties of pietie.¹ The hypocrite doth rest himselfe satisfied in the formality of religion, in the externall act, in a good and formall fashion discharged, not greatly heeding the power of religion in his soule, and the secret disposition of his heart. If hee haue framed a good prayer, in fit words, and vttered it in conuenient gestures, he is well apaide, and hopes the seruice shall be accepted, though hee had not any working of feruour in his heart, any life, any feeling, any true touch of the things which his tongue did vtter. If he haue sayd good words with a good intent, all is well; though his affections had not the impression of the matter of his words setled in them. So, if hee heare the Word with decent intention, and can carry away a good part of it, to speake of afterwards, if occasion serue, it is well, hee is herein satisfied and contented,