THE Second Commandment does concern the Manner, and Means of Gods worship. Against this we sinne, not onely by representing and worshipping of him in Images, but also by entertaining grosse mis-conceits of the divine nature, by mixing any will-worship, superstition, or our own inventions with his service, when we do not serve him after such a way as is agreeable to his nature, and required in his word, that is, not in spirit and truth; Not with uprightnesse, (Joh. 4.24) sincerity, cheerfulnesse.
- It will here concern us to examine how exceedingly we have failed in the manner of those good duties which we have attempted; (Manner) How much aversenesse there is in us from setting about them: How much distraction, and benummednesse of spirit in the performance of them: How much impotency and wearinesse in the Continuance of them: How much pride, unspiritualnesse, formality, want of relish, deadnesse, uncomfortablenesse there is mixed with our best services: Serving God with feigned lips: Drawing neer to him with our mouthes, and honouring him with our lips, when our hearts are far from him: (Psal. 17.1·) Resting our selves in the meer outsides of duties, (Isa. 29.13) when we do not enjoy any Communion with God in them.
Means. 2. We ought to examine our failings, in respect of the means or kindes of divine worship. Our carelesnesse to keep our selves close in a constant holy communion with God by the right use of all his sacred Ordinances.
- 1 Prayer, both Private. Publike.
- 2 Ministery of the Word.
- 13 Receiving of the Sacraments.
- Our Negligence in setting any solemn time apart for our secret devotions betwixt God and our souls. Omitting them upon every trivial occasion, or slight pretence of businesse. Our carelesnesse in the private observance of this duty with our families, and neer relations, and in publike with the Congregation. Our approaching before God without that preparation, reverence, or attention, as becomes such vile creatures speaking to so great a Majesty, Regarding iniquity in our hearts, not calling upon him in truth:2 Flattering him with our mouthes, and lying to him with our tongues, when our heart is not right with him.
Not Confessing our sins with that sorrow, shame, (Dan. 9.8) and confusion of face, as having thereby so much dishonoured his glorious name, and endangered our own salvations: Being rather apt to cover our transgressions with Adam, (Job 31.33) by hiding our iniquity in our bosome. Or if we do acknowledge them, yet we are not careful to forsake them, but do still go on in a continuall round of confessing, and committing, committing and confessing again.
Failing very much in the Matter of our Petitions, (1 Joh. 5.14·) not asking those things which are according to his will. Apt to make our prejudicate opinions, and passionate wishes, the subject of our Prayers, instead of the holy, and unchangeable will of God. For the manner of them, not with faith and fervency, as being truly sensible of our own wants, or as if we did really beleeve this duty to be an effectuall means for the supply of them. Not tenderly affectionate in our forgiving of others, or our interceding for them.
In our thanksgiving, not mentioning the favours we have received with any such hearty sense of them, as may stir up in our souls, cheerfulnesse, love, gratitude. Not praising God with our whole hearts,3 and all that is within us.
Coming before him with customary devotion, rather to satisfie the scruples of a natural conscience, then out of any true love to this duty it self, or experimental evidence of comfort to be had by it, our hearts being apt to wander from him, even whilest we are speaking with him, to think but lightly of him, whilest we pretend much honour to him.
Not retaining any taste or relish of these duties, after they are ended; Not living suitably to them; Not taking notice how God does answer our Prayers in the several passages of his Providence towards us.
- For the Ordinance of Preaching, the Minister does herein offend,4 by being negligent and slothful in his calling, not preaching with that constancy, faithfulnesse, simplicity, judgement, authority, courage, demonstration of the Spirit as he should; The People by neglecting to hear and read the Word, according to their severall opportunities. (Before) By not preparing themselves for this holy exercise. Not coming unto it with hungring and thirsting desires, and loving, beleeving, prizing it, as being of such great efficacy, and necessity for our everlasting well-beings, able to save our souls; Bringing with them much carnal security, which makes them without any desire or care to profit by it; much impenitence and hardnesse of heart; Not without some secret resolutions of continuing in their former courses, whatever shall be said to the contrary; Many worldly cares and thoughts with high conceits of their own sufficiencies, prejudice against their Teachers, curiosity, not to learn, but to censure, itching ears, rather to please the fancy, then reforme the life.
Not hearkning to it without much irreverence,5 distraction, infidelity, misapplication, obstinacy, dulnesse, wearinesse; Not receiving it into a good and honest heart, with desire to retain and practise it.
Not careful (after they have heard it) to root and fix it in their hearts by Prayer, Meditation, (After) Conference; Not expressing the fruits of it in their conversation, slighting those many gracious opportunities, wherein God hath reached forth unto them the proffers of mercy and salvation; and though he hath with much patience waited for their amendment, yet they have still hardened their hearts, and notwithstanding the former and the latter raine, do remain like dry stakes in an hedge, barren and fruitlesse, without any spiritual life or growth, answerable to the means which they have had.
- For the Sacraments, Baptisme.6 Supper of the Lord.
Our slighting, and renouncing that Covenant which we made in Baptisme, abusing that good profession, (1 Tim. 6.12) which we have professed before many witnesses. Not walking as those that have been received into the bosome of the Church, and distinguished from others that are without. Not fighting against the world, the flesh, and the Devil, as becomes such, as are listed into the number of Christs faithful souldiers, and servants.
7And so for the Sacrament of Christs body and blood, our not hungring and thirsting after it, not partaking of it so frequently as our necessities, and opportunities have required.
(Before)When we have approached unto it, have we been careful beforehand to set any solemne time apart, for the fitting of our selves unto so holy a work? have we not been unwilling to ransack and examine the secret corners of our hearts; (1 Cor. 11.28) to finde out, and to purge out those particular bosome-sins, unto which our natures do most incline us? after a more especial manner, to excite and stir up in our selves the graces of Gods holy Spirit to renue those conditions of the Covenant, required on our parts, Faith and Repentance?
8 In the receiving of the Sacrament, have we no[…] been too apt to slight and dis-esteem it, as if i[…] were but an empty common ceremony? have we behaved our selves with so much fear and reverence, as might become such a sacred mystery, with such spiritual joy and delight, a[…] should be in those who are fit guests for that table?
(After) After the receipt of it, have we not quickly forgotten our good resolutions, relapsed into our old sins again, not feeling or regarding and such comfort or profit as is promised to the right partaking of this ordinance? have we no[…] often eat and drunk unworthily? and consequently eat and drunk judgement to our selves?9 becoming guilty of the body and blood of Christ, doing that horrid act which we so much detested in the Jews, crucifying again our blessed Saviour, (Heb. 6.6) and by slighting the proffers of mercy in this Sacrament, (1 Cor. 1.17) doing as much as in us lies to make his Passion of none effect?
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