The Christian-man's calling: or, A treatise of making religion ones business. Wherein the nature…

Reader, thy care must be to trim thy lamp, and make sure of oil in the vessel now thou art going to meet the Bridegroom. Samuel spake to the inhabitants of Bethlehem, Sanctify your selves, and come to the Sacrifice: so say I to thee, Sanctify thy soul, and then come to the Sacrament, 1 Sam. 16.9. Joseph prepared himself, by shaving himself, and changing his raiment, before he went unto Pharaoh; And wilt not thou prepare thy self, by putting thy soul into the holiest posture thou canst, when thou art to go in unto the King of Heaven and Earth? He that would make a good meal, even when he is to feast at another's cost, must prepare his stomach beforehand by moderate fasting, or exercise. God expecteth that the hands be pure, but especially that the heart be prepared: The good Lord (saith Hezekiah) pardon every one that prepareth his heart, though it be not cleansed according to the purification of the Sanctuary. 2 Chro. 30.18, 19. the King speaketh of those who came to the Passover with some ceremonial pollution, yet had moral purity; and his words are to this purpose, Lord, though several of my people have failed, in regard of external purification; let it please thee to pardon them, if they have minded internal preparation. Friend, there is no hope of remission, without this heart-preparation: The Devil himself would not come into an house, till it was ready swept and garnished, Mat. 12. And dost thou think that Jesus Christ will come into thy heart, while it lieth ⟨p. 266⟩nastily and sluttishly, before the filth of sin be swept out, and it be garnished with the Graces of his Spirit. Surely that room had need be richly hung, with the embroidery of the Spirit, in which the glorious and blessed Potentate will sup and lodge. Where thy expectation is great from a person, there thy preparation must be great for him. Dost thou not look like Herod, to see some miracle done by Jesus, some extraordinary thing for thy soul? Therefore I say to thee, as Joshua spake to the Israelites, Sanctify your selves, for to morrow the Lord will do wonders amongst you, Josh. 3.5. O sanctify thy self, and to morrow (on the Sacrament-day) the Lord will do wonders for thee; he will feast thee at his own Table; he will feed thee with his own flesh; he will give thee that love, which is better then wine; he will embrace thee in his arms, and kiss thee with the kisses of his mouth;