First,1 it teacheth us to take notice of the purity of God, what ought to be the frame of our spirits when we appear before him; he cannot abide sluggish prayers from an impure heart, heavenly dispositions best suits with Gods holiness; the sanctity of our affections ought to answer Gods purity. Kings (we know) as they will be entertained, so their entertainment must be that which suits to their greatness. God is in Heaven beyond all corruption, therefore if we approach near to God we should answer to his purity with hearts purged, that our hearts may be in Heaven, because he is in Heaven to whom we pray,2 Cursed be the deceiver that hath a male in his flock, and offers a female, &c. our sacrifice is our service, and prayer is one of the chief. The God of Heaven is a pure God, then cursed be the man that hath strong love, desires and other affections, and offers the weakest to God, and serveth God with rubbish, cursed be that man; the pure God of Heaven will not look on such service and impure prayers; God is pure, therefore the service ought to be so. When men are to sit before Princes, they are to fit themselves accordingly, so it is here: Let us then think it an indignity ⟨p. 11⟩to God to appear with rubbish dispositions before him. He that will perform a solemn duty to a Prince will lay aside all other occasions: so as he said in another case well, lay by all; world, let me now have heavenly joy, for I come before a heavenly Father.
First,1 it teacheth us to take notice of the purity of God, what ought to be the frame of our spirits when we appeare before him; he cannot abide sluggish prayers from an impure heart, heavenly dispositions best suits with Gods holinesse; the sanctity of our affections ought to answer Gods purity. Kings (we know) as they will be entertained, so their entertainment must be that which suits to their greatnesse. God is in Heaven beyond all corruption, therefore if we approach neere to God we should answer to his purity with hearts purged, that our hearts may be in Heaven, because he is in Heaven to whom we pray,2 Cursed be the deceiven that hath a male in his flock, and offers a female, &c. our sacrifice is our service, and prayer is one of the chiefe. The God of Heaven is a pure God, then cursed be the man that hath strong love, desires and other affections, and offers the wealtest to God, and serveth God with rubbish, cursed be that man; the pure God of Heaven will not looke on such service and impure prayers; God is pure, therefore the service ought to be so. When men are to sit before Princes, they are to fit themselves accordingly, so it is here: Let us then think it an indignity ⟨p. 11⟩to God to appeare with rubbish dispositions before him. He that will performe a solemne duty to a Prince will lay aside all other occasions: so as hee said in another case well, lay by all; world, let me now have heavenly joy, for I come before a heavenly Father.
- 1Resp.
- 2Mal. 1. 14.
