The immediate Worship of the infinite God, being a work of the greatest weight that ever I did, or can possibly undertake, yea that men and Angels are capable of; I wish therefore that I may never enter rashly upon it, but may ordinarily take some pains before hand, 1to awe my heart by a serious apprehension of the unconceivable greatness, jealousy, and holiness of that God to whom I am approaching, (how he is resolved to be sanctified either actively or passively, 2in every one that draweth nigh to him,) and by a savoury consideration of the unspeakable consequence of the duty in which I am engaged, how it concerneth the unchangeable welfare of my never dying soul in the other World. I wish that all the time of the duty, I may look as narrowly to my heart, 3as ever keeper did to that prisoner for whose escape he was to dye, and bind it to the Altar (as they of old, their Sacrifice) with the strongest cords of all watchfulness, and circumspection imaginable. 4I wish that I may perform each part of the duty with suitable grace; and to this end, that all my graces may be upon the wing, ready upon the least call to mount up to Heaven; as several strings of a Vial, wound up to their due height and pitch, each in their place, upon the least touch (as ⟨p. 136⟩occasion shall be) to make M•si•k in the ears of the Lord my God; O that while my beloved sitteth at his Table, my Spikenard may send forth a pleasant smell. In particular, 5I wish that I may be so sensible of the infinite distance which is betwixt the incomprehensible Lord of Heaven, and me a poor worm, who lie grovelling here on earth, that I may both in my carriage and language, affections and expressions, behave my self throughout the ordinance with all godly fear, humility and reverence. I wish that I may be so truly affected with the sins and unworthiness of my person and performances, and my Saviours infinite meritoriousness, that I may carry all my Sacrifices, to the High-Priest of my profession, believing assuredly, that they being perfumed with the odours of his death, 6and presented by his hands, shall be Offerings of a sweet smelling savour to my God.
THe immediate Worship of the infinite God, being a work of the greatest weight that ever I did, or can possibly undertake, yea that men and Angels are capable of; I wish therefore that I may never enter rashly upon it, but may ordinarily take some pains before hand, 1to aw my heart by a serious apprehension of the unconceivable greatness, jealousie, and holiness of that God to whom I am approaching, (how he is resolved to be sanctified either actively or passively, 2in every one that draweth nigh to him,) and by a savoury consideration of the unspeakeable consequence of the duty in which I am ingaged, how it concerneth the unchangeable welfare of my never dying soul in the other World. I wish that all the time of the duty, I may look as narrowly to my heart, 3as ever keeper did to that prisoner for whose escape he was to dye, and bind it to the Altar (as they of old, their Sacrifice) with the strongest cords of all watchfulness, and circumspection imaginable. 4I wish that I may perform each part of the duty with sutable grace; and to this end, that all my graces may be upon the wing, ready upon the least call to mount up to Heaven; as several strings of a Vial, wound up to their due height and pitch, each in their place, upon the least touch (as ⟨p. 136⟩occasion shall be) to make M•si•k in the ears of the Lord my God; O that while my beloved sitteth at his Table, my Spikenard may send forth a pleasant smell. In particular, 5I wish that I may be so sensible of the infinite distance which is betwixt the incomprehensible Lord of Heaven, and me a poor worm, who lie groveling here on earth, that I may both in my carriage and language, affections and expressions, behave my self throughout the ordinance with all godly fear, humility and reverence. I wish that I may be so truely affected with the sins and unworthiness of my person and performances, and my Saviours infinite meritoriousness, that I may carry all my Sacrifices, to the High-Priest of my profession, beleiving assuredly, that they being perfumed with the odours of his death, 6and presented by his hands, shall be Offerings of a sweet smelling savour to my God.
- 1The Introduction to the directions analised.
- 2Preparation.
- 3Attention.
- 4Acting grace.
- 5Fear
- 6Faith
