THe second Commandment does enjoyn us to worship God, after such a spiritual manner, and by such holy means, as is agreeable to his Nature, and required in his Word.
So that from hence we are taught to pray for the direction and asistance of his Spirit in all our holy duties; that he would work in us an holy frame and temper of heart, without which ‘tis not possible for us to performe any acceptable service; That he would quicken our affections to a greater fervency, and delight in our attendance upon him.
That he would make us more careful in enjoying and increasing our communion with him, by a conscionable observance of all those holy ordinances which he hath appointed; particularly, 1. Prayer. 2. Ministery of the Word. 3. Receiving of the Sacraments.
11. That he would poure upon us the Spirit of prayer and supplication; make us diligent and constant in our Publick Private devotions, that we may accustome our selves to them with a greater forwardnesse and delight, as being the chief means to ease our hearts of all troubles and sorrow,2 to fill up our joy.
That we may be more solemn and reverent in our approaches before him, as considering that we who are but dust and ashes, vile, despicable creatures, are to speak unto that dreadful Majesty, before whom all the world shall be judged at the last day.
That we may be more vigilant over our own hearts, in respect of roving, distracted thoughts, which are so apt to interrupt us in this duty. That we may stir up our selves to lay hold on God, (Isa. 64.7) and set our faces to seek him: Not pouring out words onely, but our souls before him:3 Serving him in our spirits: Drawing near unto him with a true heart, sprinkled from an evill conscience.
That he would be pleased to assist us, and to accept of us in this duty:4 Shedding abroad his love in our hearts: Opening our lips, that our mouths may shew forth his praise. And then that the words of our mouths, (Psal. 19.14) and the meditations of our hearts may be alwayes acceptable in his sight.
That we may confesse our sins with a greater sense and sorrow for them, (Confession) feeling in our selves a greater loathing and detestation of them; Acknowledging our transgressions, (Psal. 51.3) and setting our sins before us; Abhorring our selves for them, (Job 42.6) and repenting in dust and ashes.
That we may put up our petitions with a greater faith and fervency, (Petition) as being truly sensible of our own wants, and those gracious promises which he hath made for the supply of them: Drawing near in the full assurance of faith nothing wavering:5 Asking such things as are according to his will. That his Spirit may help our infirmities, and make intercession for us; and that he would remember the promise which he hath made to be nigh unto them that call upon him in truth, and to fulfill the desire of those that fear him. (Ps. 145.18)
That we may give thanks with greater chearfulnesse,6 and love, and sense of his favours, with such heartinesse, and fervency, as may be in some measure proportionable to our importunity· in the want of mercies. That we may be ready to speak the praises of our God, whilest we have any being; (Psal. 104.33, 34) that our meditations of him may be sweet, and we may be glad in the Lord.
That we may retain a relish and taste of this holy duty in our mindes after the performance of it; behaving our selves answerably in the course of our lives, observing what return is made to our prayers. Hearkening what God the Lord will say. (Psal. 85.8) Considering the several wayes and dispensations of his providence towards us; that we may understand the loving kindnesse of the Lord. (Ps. 107.34)
This Commandment does likewise concerne the duties which belong to that other Ordinance,7 the Ministery of the word, in reference both to Minister. People.
The Minister may hereby be directed to pray that God would endow him with all those graces and abilities, which may fit him for the discharge of his calling, both in respect of his Life, Doctrine, that he may both save himself, and them that hear him.8
(Tit. 2.7)1. For his Life; That he may shew himself as a pattern of good works; Of a blamelesse conversation; not self-willed, not soon angry. (Tit. 1.7, 8) Not given to wine, no striker; not given to filthy lucre, but a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate, (2 Tim. 2.24) gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient. Renouncing the hidden things of dishonesty; (2 Cor. 4.2) Not walking in craftinesse, but by manifestation of the truth, commending himself unto every mans conscience in the sight of God. (1 Cor 4.1) Behaving himself as a steward of the mysteries of God. Not seeking so much his own profit, as the profit of many, that they may be saved,9 that after he hath preached unto others, he himself may not become a cast-away.
- For his Doctrine, that he may study to approve himself unto God, (2 Tim. 2.15) a workman that needeth not to be ashamed; rightly dividing the Word of truth. That he may preach the Word, (2 Tim. 4.2) being instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and Doctrine; (2 Tim. 2.25) with meeknesse instructing those that oppose themselves, if God peradventure will give them repentance, to the acknowledgement of the truth. (1 Pet. 5.2) Feeding the flock of God, not by constraint, but willingly; Not for filthy lucre, but of a ready minde: That he may speak as the Oracles of God:10 That his doctrine may be in demonstration of the spirit, and of power; with uncorruptnesse, gravity, sincerity, not as pleasing men but God, who tryeth the hearts.
The People or hearers may be hereby directed to pray for a greater love and esteem of his Word,11 as being the Ordinance of his infinite wisdome, which he can make effectual for the Conversion and salvation of souls. Considering that the fashion of this world passeth away. Pleasures shall die and vanish, Honours shall be laid in the dust, gold and silver shall rust and canker, but the word of God abideth for ever; This alone is able to make us wise unto salvation,12 and to save our soules, being that word by which we shall be judged at the last day. That therefore we may value it above gold and silver, finding a relish in it sweeter then the honey and the honey-comb. That we may alwayes love the beauty of his house,13 and the place where his honour dwelleth; To publish with the voice of Thanksgiving, and to tell of all his wondrous works. This one thing have I desired of the Lord, (Psal. 27.4) that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the dayes of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his Temple. (Psal. 96.6) Strength and beauty are in his Sanctuary.
That we may have a greater care to know and practise his will: As new borne babes desiring the sincere milk of the Word, to grow thereby. That he would teach us so to prize and improve the present liberty and Sun-shine of the Gospel, (1 Pet. 2.2) that we may be carefull in this our day, to lay up for our selves a good foundation against the evil time.
14That we may approach unto this Ordinance with such reverent and prepared affections, as may become his more especial presence amongst us; Considering our feet, when we draw neer before him; that he would over-awe our spirits with an holy fear and reverence in the apprehension of his presence, and beholding of us, who is a God of infinite holinesse, and glorious Majesty; that we may bow down our souls with a willing subjection unto every sacred truth; That he would subdue the pride of our hearts, (2 Cor. 10.5) Cast down every imagination that exalteth it selfe against him, and bring into subjection every thought, unto the obedience of Christ: and because the Word of it selfe is but a dead letter, and it is not in the power of any outward means, the wisdome or preparation of weak sinful man, to subdue the power of sin, the Kingdome of Satan, or to create men in Christ Jesus unto good works: (Eph. 2.10) that therefore he would be pleased to accompany the outward means, by the inward efficacy and operation of his Spirit. Man can speak only unto the ear, but he can speak unto the heart, and ‘tis as easie for him to make us good, as to bid us be so; and he hath promised to meet such as desire to wait upon him, and to remember him in his wayes: (Isa. 64.5) That he would remove from our understandings the veile of ignorance and infidelity, whereby we are made incapable of spiritual truths; that he would take from our affections that natural pravity and malice, whereby we are made enemies to spiritual notions, that we may receive the truth, not only in the light,15 but in the love of it; not with-holding any truth in unrighteousnesse: That he would strengthen us against all temptations of Satan, cares of the world, hardnesse of our own hearts, or what ever may hinder our profitable and saving hearing: That he would take from us all irreverence, distraction, prejudice, dulnesse in hearing of his Word; and because it must redound either to the glory of his justice in our farther hardening, and final condemnation; or to the glory of his mercy, in our conversion and salvation; that he would therefore sanctifie it to our good, that as the rain cometh down from heaven, (Isa. 55.10, 11) and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it fruitful, so the Word that goeth out of his mouth may not return unto him void, but accomplish his good pleasure, and prosper in that to which it is sent: That it may be unto us sharp as a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, (Heb. 4.12) the joynts and marrow, discovering the very thoughts and intentions of the heart. And because Paul may plant, and Apollos may water, (1 Cor. 3.6) but he only can give the increase; That therefore he would be pleased to give a blessing and successe to his own Ordinance: That his Word may be unto us a word of power, converting the soul, (Psal. 19.7·) and making wise the simple; that he would give unto us hearing ears and understanding hearts, that we may believe and be saved:16 That he would write his laws in our inward parts: That he would open our eyes to behold the wondrous things of his law:17 Incline our hearts, to affect, direct our steps, that we may walke in the paths of his precepts. Shew us thy wayes, O Lord, and teach us thy paths; lead us in thy truth, (Ps. 25.4, 5) and guide us, for thou art the God of our salvation.
Teach us thy wayes, O Lord, and we will walke in thy truth, (Ps 86.11) unite our hearts to fear thy name. Shew us the way that we should walk in, for we lift up our souls unto thee; (Psal 143.8, 10) Teach us to do thy will, for thou art our God. Let thy good Spirit lead us into the land of uprightnesse.
18That we may behave our selves with humility, attention, alacrity, laying down all high thoughts, fleshly reasonings, stubborne resolutions, being ready to receive with meeknesse the ingraffed word, (Jam. 1.21) which is able to save our souls. That we may enjoy communion with him in his Ordinances, that he would fill us with all joy and peace in believing; (Rom. 15.13) That he would sanctifie our judgements, affections, memories, that we may apprehend and believe, and affect and retain those sacred truths that shall be delivered. That he would inlighten our mindes, open our hearts, soften our consciences, compose our thoughts to attend unto his Word with meeknesse and faith, (Luke 8.15) receiving it into good and honest hearts, with full purpose to walk answerably to it in our conversations. That Christ may be formed in us, that our hearts may be established in every good word and way. That our meeting together may prove for the better, and not for the worse.
That we may after the hearing of it, digest and settle it in our mindes, by prayer, meditation,19 conference, practice: Expressing the power of it in our lives, in all well-pleasing conversation, and godlinesse: Having our fruit unto holinesse, that our ends may be everlasting life. (Rom. 6.22) That he would prosper unto us the precious seed sown amongst us, that neither the fowls of the aire devoure it, (Luke 8.5) nor the thornes choak it, but that it may sinke down into our hearts, and spring up in our conversations, bringing forth in us the fruit of repentance and amendment of life; that it may be effectual for the subduing of our sins, the strengthning of our graces: Transforming us daily into his Image, from glory to glory. (2 Cor. 3.18) That we may lead our lives, in some measure answerably to the knowledge and means we have had, as considering that to whom much is given, of them much will be required: (Luk. 12.48) That we may not receive his grace in vain: Not being forgetful hearers, but doers of the word. (2 Cor. 6.1) That we may be able to say by experience, (Jam. 1.25) It is good for us to be here, and to wait upon God in his Ordinances: That we may grow in grace, (2 Pet. 3.18) and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
That he would lead us forward to perfection, guiding us by his grace, and after bringing us to his glory; that in this life beholding his face in righteousnesse, when we awake up in the resurrection, (Ps. 17.15) we may be fully satisfied with his Image.
203. Under this Commandment likewise, are comprehended the duties that concern our reverent esteem and use of the Sacraments.
(Baptisme)1. For that of Baptisme. That we may be truly sensible of the free mercy of God, in making a gracious Covenant to us and our posterity, and condescending so far unto our humane frailties, as to afford us outward & visible signes and seals of this Covenant, to present that to our senses, which ought to be apprehended by our faith. That we may more frequently consider, and esteem of this singular prerogative, of our being actually admitted into his family, and having his name put upon us. That therefore we may resign up our selves wholly unto his good pleasure, chusing him to be our Governour, and our portion for ever; that we may be more careful in observing that solemne Covenant, which our Baptisme did engage us unto. To forsake the Devill and all his works, the vanities and lusts of the world, and to continue faithfull in our service to him; That this Ordinance may not be unto us onely an outward washing away of the filth of the flesh, but the laver of regeneration, (1 Pet. 3.21) working in us a good conscience towards God; and may effctually seal unto us our adoption, remission of sins, and eternall life; with all those promises that are contained in the Covenant of Grace; that as we are received into the bosome of the visible Church, and distinguished from those that are without, so we may labour to walk as becomes this relation, that the body of sin may be destroyed in us, and his Image may be renued in us daily: That we may serve him in holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of our lives,
- For the Lords Supper:21 That he would continue unto us our liberty unto that precious Ordinance, raising our hearts to an higher esteem and love of it; Quickening us to a more frequent attendance upon him in it, with fervency and delight: That he would prepare us for it, assist us in it, and make it effectual to us afterwards.
That he would furnish us with all those graces which may make us worthy Communicants at his holy Table: Affecting our hearts with an holy awe and reverence, upon our neer approaching unto him in this solemn Ordinance, left we should be found amongst the guests at his Table, without having the wedding garment; That we may after a more special manner stirre up in our selves the graces of his holy Spirit, impartially examining the condition of our own hearts, how we stand to him in regard of knowledge, repentance, faith; to men, in respect of our love and chariity, that we may renew our Covenant with him, by fresh resolutions of strict and circumspect walking, and that he would make good his Covenant with us in taking from us the guilt and power of our sins, and in giving unto us a new nature, with all those other priviledges that were purchased for us by the death of Christ, which is herein represented.
At the receiving of this Sacrament, that he would inable us to behave our selves with reverence and true devotion; to use it as a sacrifice of praise unto him, a memorial of Christs death for us, and a means to confirme our faith in him. That as we do by our senses receive the common element of bread and wine to our corporal nourishment, so we may by our faith receive the body and blood of Christ to our spititual nourishment, that he may live in us, and we in him; that this may renew in our thoughts, the remembrance of Christs Death and Passion for us, and our own duty of love and obedience to him; that it may be a means to weaken our corruptions, to strengthen our graces, to renew us in the spirit of our mindes, according to the Image of him that created us.
That we may afterwards labour to feel the benefit of it in our lives, and conscionably to perform all those good resolutions, which in the time of our preparation we have purposed and promised. That we may be careful to examine our improvement by it in respect of growth in grace, power against corruption, comfort and inlargement of heart, labouring to walk worthy of the grace of God herein profered and represented, as becomes those who have received so great pledges of salvation.
← Chapter 18. Of the several graces and duties injoyned in the first Commandment · Contents · Chapter 20. Of the duties required in the third and fourth Commandment →
Footnotes
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- Prayer. Zach. 12.10
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Joh 16 24 ↩
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Rom. 1.9. Heb. 10.22 ↩
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Rom. 5.5· Psal. 51.15 ↩
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Heb. 10.22 Jam. 1.6. 1 Joh. 5.14 ↩
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Thanksgiving. ↩
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- Ministery of the Word.
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1 Tim. […]4.16. ↩
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1 Cor. 10.33. 1 Cor. 9.27 ↩
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1 Pet. 4.11 1 Cor. 2.4. Tit. 2.7. 1 Thes. 2.4 ↩
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1 Love and prizing of the Word· ↩
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1 Pet. 1.23. 2 Tim. 3.15. Joh. 12.48 ↩
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Psal. 19.10. Psal. 26.7, 8. ↩
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2 Due preparation for it· and a blessing upon it. ↩
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2 Thes. 2.10 Rom. 1.18 ↩
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Pro. 20 12 ↩
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Jer 31.33. Ps. 119 v. 18, 36.133 ↩
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- Our demeanour.
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4 Profiting by it afterwards. ↩
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- Sacraments.
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The Lords Supper. ↩