1I wish that when I come into the place of worship I may set my self solemnly as before the Judge of quick and dead, 2and as in the presence of the Lord, with fear and awe, give audience to his word. If I were hearkening to an earthly Prince, I would be serious; O with what reverence should I hear from the blessed and only Potentate! Because without application the word will be unprofitable. 3I wish that I may never draw a curtain before my own Picture, but overlooking others, may see my own face in the glass of the law. O that by faith I may so take down the hook of the word, as to be caught and taken by it. 4My prayer is that the Gospel may come to me, not in word only, but in power also, that I may go to it as clean paper for any inscription, as soft wax for any impression, which my God shall be pleased to make upon me. O that I might behold the Lord so effectually in that glass, as to be changed into his Image, from glory to glory! In special I wish that my sins may be placed by me in the front of this spiritual battle (as Uriah) purposely to be slain; and that those smooth stones which are taken out of the silver streams of the Sanctuary, may be thrown by so skilful and powerful a hand, that they may sink deep into the foreheads of those uncircumcised ones, 5to their death and destruction. I wish that after the seed is sown I may beg that the showers of Heavens blessing may accompany it, that it may spring up in the fruits of righteousness, to the glory of my God, and good of my precious soul. And because the Gospel is a dish which is not set on every Table, 6though free grace bestoweth it on me, I wish that I may rise from this spiritual ⟨p. 250⟩food, before I have given thanks to the Master of the feast. 7I desire finally, that as I looked like a Saint in hearing, I may live like a Saint after I have heard; that those blossoms of good purposes, which sprouted forth while the Minister was preaching, may ripen into practice; that whatsoever characters others are known by, to be Christians, I may be known by this ear mark, to be one of Christs sheep, even by hearing his voice, so as to follow him wheresoever he goeth. Though others, like petty Chapmen, deal only in some particular commodities, and those such as will serve their own turns, I desire that I may deal with the Word by whole-sale, and esteem all Gods Precepts concerning all things to be right.
1I wish that when I come into the place of worship I may set my self solemnly as before the Judge of quick and dead, 2and as in the presence of the Lord, with fear and awe, give audience to his word. If I were hearkening to an earthly Prince, I would be serious; O with what reverence should I hear from the blessed and onely Potentate! Because without application the word will be unprofitable. 3I wish that I may never draw a curtain before my own Picture, but overlooking others, may see my own face in the glass of the law. O that by faith I may so take down the hook of the word, as to be caught and taken by it. 4My prayer is that the Gospel may come to me, not in word onely, but in power also, that I may go to it as clean paper for any inscription, as soft wax for any impression, which my God shall be pleased to make upon me. O that I might behold the Lord so effectualy in that glass, as to be changed into his Image, from glory to glory! In special I wish that my sins may be placed by me in the front of this spiritual battle (as Uriah) purposely to be slain; and that those smooth stones which are taken out of the silver streams of the Sanctuary, may be thrown by so skilful and powerful a hand, that they may sink deep into the foreheads of those uncircumcised ones, 5to their death and destruction. I wish that after the seed is sown I may beg that the showres of Heavens blessing may accompany it, that it may spring up in the fruits of righteousness, to the glory of my God, and good of my precious soul. And because the Gospel is a dish which is not set on every Table, 6though free grace bestoweth it on me, I wish that I may rise from this spiritual ⟨p. 250⟩food, before I have given thanks to the Master of the feast. 7I desire finally, that as I looked like a Saint in hearing, I may live like a Saint after I have heard; that those blossoms of good purposes, which sprouted forth while the Minister was preaching, may ripen into practice; that whatsoever characters others are known by, to be Christians, I may be known by this ear mark, to be one of Christs sheep, even by hearing his voyce, so as to follow him wheresoever he goeth. Though others, like petty Chapmen, deal onely in some particular commodities, and those such as will serve their own turns, I desire that I may deal with the Word by whole-sale, and esteem all Gods Precepts concerning all things to be right.
- 1At hearing.
- 2Seriousness as in Gods presence.
- 3Application of it.
- 4Renovation by it.
- 5After hearing. Petition for a blessing.
- 6Thanksgiving for the Word.
- 7Practice.
