The prophecy of Haggai, interpreted and applied in sundry sermonsThe prophesie of Haggai, interpreted and applyed in sundry sermons

1. How many of us are there that do not come to the outward service of God, so as they ought? I refer it to every mans conscience to consider how they frequent the assemblies for prayer and divine service in their private Colleges, but for coming at the beginning of terms, when as we are by oath and conscience bound thereto, how slackly is that done, if done at all? Alas how far are we from the zeal, that was in the Jews, who with wearisome journeys walked on through the wilderness till they appeared before God in Zion, Psal. 84? how far from that foretold should be in the people of God, Psal. 110. 3.) thy people shall come willingly &c? how far from that example which the people give us, Neh. 8. who were said to have heard the word willingly from morning until night. So we read Act. 20. Paul being to depart on the morrow, the people that believed assembled themselves together to hear him, so that he continued his preaching until midnight, but alas, how do we degenerate from these, who cannot endure but for an hour or two to frequent such religious Assemblies, it is recorded by Zoromen l. 6. c. 18. that when Valence an Arian Emperor had forbidden the Christians to have any Assemblies: the Godly notwithstanding used to meet together in the fields for the service of the Lord. The Emperor hearing thereof, was very wroth with his Chief Captain Modestus, for so he was called, and so indeed he showed himself, because he suffered them so to do. Modestus therefore forewarning them that they should meet so no more, and threatening that if they did they should be punished; they notwithstanding the next day in great multitudes met again, which Modestus understanding thought good to go out against them with a band, & to scatter them: but as he went a certain ⟨p. 152⟩woman with her head not throughly tired & with a little child in her hand overtaking them, brake through among the Soldiers and made hast towards the place where the Christians were assembled. Modestus causing her to be called to him, demanded of her, whither she was going in such hast, she answered: that she was going to the place where the Christians were assembled, to serve God. Why said Modestus dost thou not know that the Emperor hath commanded that they all that come thither shall be killed? yes I do, replied she, and therefore I go the rather, that I may be martyred among the rest: