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

4. When thou art dressed, let nothing hinder thee from thy secret devotion. When thou art in thy closet consider of the price which God hath put into thy hand, the value and worth of a Lords day, the weight and concernment of the duties therein, and the account thou art ere long to give for every Sabbath and season of grace. These thoughts, as heavy weights on a clock, would make thee move more swiftly in the work of the day. After some time spent in meditation, in some short, yet reverent and hearty petitions, entreat Gods help in the present and subsequent duties of the day; After which read some portion of the Scripture and pour out thy soul in prayer. Get thy heart effectually possessed with this truth, That God must work his own work in thee and for thee, or it will never be done; that as the Spirit moved on the waters at first, and then the living creatures were formed; so the Spirit must move upon the waters of Ordinances, before they can produce or increase spiritual life. Hereby thou wilt be stirred up to more fervent supplication for, and more importunate expectation of help from heaven; In thy prayers remember all the assemblies of the ⟨p. 385⟩Saints that they may see Gods beauty, power and glory, as they have sometimes beheld them in his sanctuary. Entreat God to clothe his ordinances with his own strength that they may be mighty through him for the bringing in, and building up many souls. In special, when thou art at prayer, think of the Preachers of the Gospel; Conceive that thou hearest every one of them speaking to thee as Paul to his Romans, I beseech thee for the Lord Jesus Christs sake, and for the love of the spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me, Rom. 15.30. Their work is of infinite weight, it is God-work, Soul-work, Temple-work; Not one of them but may say (with Nehemiah) on a Lords day, upon much greater reason, O I am doing a great work. Nehem. 6.3. Their opposition is great The Devil will do what may be to hinder them; the world hates them, their own hearts will disturb them; Their strength is small, their graces are weak; Alas what can they do! O therefore pray for them.

4. When thou art drest, let nothing hinder thee from thy secret devotion. When thou art in thy closet consider of the price which God hath put into thy hand, the value and worth of a Lords day, the weight and concernment of the duties therein, and the account thou art ere long to give for every Sabbath and season of grace. These thoughts, as heavy weights on a clock, would make thee move more swiftly in the work of the day. After some time spent in meditation, in some short, yet reverent and hearty petitions, intreat Gods help in the present and subsequent duties of the day; After which read some portion of the Scripture and pour out thy soul in prayer. Get thy heart effectually possessed with this truth, That God must work his own work in thee and for thee, or it will never be done; that as the Spirit moved on the waters at first, and then the living creatures were formed; so the Spirit must move upon the waters of Ordinances, before they can produce or increase spirituall life. Hereby thou wilt be stirred up to more fervent supplication for, and more importunate expectation of help from heaven; In thy prayers remember all the assemblies of the