Elders says unto them Feed the Flock of God which is among you taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy Lucre but of a ready mind neither as being Lords ever Gods Heritage but being ensamples to the Flock 1 Pet. 5.1 2 3. By all which recited Passages it is plainly manifest that the Apostles had a great eate not to be burdensome to any and that the Gospel of Christ might be preserved without Charge they were so far from compelling or forcing a Maintenance from such as did not own nor receive them that they forbore to make use of that Power which Christ allowed them even among such as did receive them It seems the Apostle Paul wrought with his Hands when he had an oportunity and exhorted the Brethren to be followers of him and mark them that walk so as they had them for an ensample Phil. 3.17 and there is small question but the rest of the Apostles were like-minded with him We see that Peter is so far from allowing the Elders to act by Constraint or to insist upon great Wages and Revenues for their Service that he quite opposes it in these words Not by Constraint not for filthy Lucre observe the Epithite that he bestowes upon Lucre nothing less then Filthy It seems he look't upon it as a filthy thing for such as were to Feed and Nourish the Flock of God and to take the oversight thereof that their Hearts and Minds should be so bent upon worldly Preferments and exercised in covetous Practices as to do what they did for filthy Lucre sake therefore he doth with much sharpness enlarge upon that matter in his second Chapter of his second Epistle as may be there seen at large Thus as it was the way of the Ministers and Servants of Christ in the primitive times to act according to the Precepts and Directions of our blessed Lord and to advise and exhort others thereunto and also to bear ' Testimony against such as tranfgress upon these accounts so also it highly concerns all those who pretend to be Ministers of Christ in this our day to search and try their ways and in the Light of Christ seriously to weigh and examine the matter whether they be truly called qualified and acted by the Spirit of Christ yea or nay if they be no question but they will manifest the same in Humility Meekness Self-denial Christian-forbearance Charity and Doctrine as also in acting according to the Directions of Christ and Practice of his People But on the contrary if any under that pretence be found in a Proud Lordly Covetous and Persecuting Spirit walking in the steps of those whom the true Prophets and Servants of Christ have always testified against it greatly behoves all People to beware of them according to the directions of our blessed Lord Mat. 7.15 16. Beware of false Prophets which come to you in Sheeps clothing but inwardly they are â—â—â—â—ning Wolves ye shall know them by their â—â—uits Forasmuch as they have a shew of Christianity and so thereby are clothed with Sheeps clothing but being inwardly departed from the pure holy meek and peaceable Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ they endeavour to Persecute Tear and Devour them that are not willing to Feed and Relieve them and so therein they are ravening Wolves I do not hereby place any particular charge upon any but leave every one to see and know by their Fruits desiring that all those who are under those Circumstances and Qualities may come to Repentance and amendment of Life whilst the day of their Visitation lasteth otherwise all their pretences to Christianity or the ministerial Function will not rescue them in that day when the Righteous Judge of Heaven and Earth doth recompence every one according to their Deeds Section XI Concerning PRAYER THat now which yet further remains to be considered is those other Duties and Services which are to be done and performed by true Believers either in private or in their publick Assemblies and upon this account shall mention that of Prayer which is very necessary for the People of God to be found in the practice of being a duty incumbent upon us and frequently commanded and exhorted unto in the holy Scriptures and as it is necessary for all those who are concerned in the Church of Christ in publick Testimonies and Declarations to be supplied and assisted in those Services by the Grace and Spirit of Christ even so also it is by the help and influence of the same Spirit that the People of God are enabled to pray acceptably unto him and without the help thereof in some degree or other true Prayer cannot be performed That the Spirit of Christ is absolutely necessary upon this account is clear even from the words of Christ Without me ye can do nothing Also the Apostle Paul saith The Spirit also helpeth our Infirmities for we know not what me should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it self maketh Intercession for us with Sighs Groans that cannot be uttered and he that searcheth the Hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit because be maketh Intercession for the Saints according to the will of God Rom. 8.26 27. Again Praying always with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and Supplication for all Saints Ephes 6.18 And also in his Epistle to the Corinthians I will pray with the Spirit and with the Vnderstanding also 1 Cor. 14.15 From whence several things are observable First That Gods People can do nothing that 's acceptable unto him without Christ and the help of his Spirit Secondly That of themselves they know not what to pray for as they ought Thirdly That it is the Spirit which helpeth such Infirmities and maketh Intercession unto God for his People Fourthly The way and manner of the Spirits Intercession with Sighs and Groans that cannot be uttered Fifthly That God graciously receives the Prayers of such as are offered and presented unto him by the Spirit forasmuch as Intercession is thereby made for them according to the will of God. Sixthly The Apostle being sensible of the acceptance and prevalency of such Prayers doth exhort the Ephesians to pray always with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit and to watch thereunto withall Perseverance Seventhly He gives an account how he himself will pray saying I will pray with the Spirit and with the Vnderstanding also Thus then as the Prayers of such who wait for and receive Divine Assistance do obtain Divine Acceptance so on the contrary the Prayers of wicked and ungodly men who receive not nor expect any such spiritual help but are acted by the Spirit of Error and Vanity can no way be acceptable unto God nor beneficial to themselves The Scriptures do afford us divers Testimonies to this purpose David says If I regard Iniquity in my Heart the Lord will not hear me Psal 66.18 Solomon says The Sacrifice of the Wicked
of the legal forms of Worship Sacrifice and Oblations which were by Gods appointment yet because their Hearts were defiled and polluted with Sin and Iniquity and that they presented not their Offerings and Sacrifices in a right frame of Spirit nor under that disposition of Soul that was required therefore they incurred the wrath and displeasure of God against themselves and with great aggravation he declared against them and terribly renounced their Worship as appears in Isa 1. and 66.3 Amos 5.21 22 23. If it was so then that the Jews under that Dispensation displeased the Lord in appearing before him with Offerings and Sacrifices whilst their Hearts were polluted and unprepared as aforesaid it may be a caution unto all those that make profession of the pure and undefiled Religion of our Lord Jesus Christ and of that Worship which was instituted by him that they be not found attempting the performance thereof in a spiriritual unpreparedness and whilst their Hearts and Souls are polluted with Sin and Iniquity lest it be said unto them as it was unto the Jews Who hath required this at your Hands to tread my Courts Isa 1.12 Again if the Jewish Sacrifices in the time of the Law were Sprinkled before they were offered and the People were Consecrated that offered them before they presented themselves before the Lord and that the touching of a dead or nuclear Beas then made People unfit for the Temple or Sacrifice yea society with the Clean until they were first Sprinkled and Sanctified as the Scriptures hold out Numb 8. and chap. 19 2 Chron. 29.36 and 30. 16 17. How car any think so meanly of the worship instituted by Christ in Gospel times as that it should admit of unprepared and unsanctified Offerings or allow that those who are spiritually defiled with Sin and Iniquity and in Words or Deeds do daily touch that which is unclean can in that state well and acceptably worship the pure God until their Consciences be sprinkled from dead works by the blood of Jesus and that they be inwardly prepared and consecrated by his divine Spirit and Power in order to serve him It is also observable that when the Temple at Jerusalem was built before the glory of the Lord descended to fill the same it was purified and cleansed and all polluted stuff removed out of it yea and the place for the Tabernacle was overlaid with Gold the most pretious clean and purest of Mettals 1 Kings 6 7 8 chapters So also before God be truly worshipped in the inward Temple of the Heart it must also be purged of the filth and pollutions that are therein that so it may be fit to receive the Spirit of God so as to be acted by it And yet further let it be considered how it can be available to the High and Lofty in Mind and Spirit the Rich and Full in the Pomp and Grandure of the World the Proud Covetous and Self-conceited and such as go on in a road of Unrighteousness Ungodliness and Vanity to utter a multitude of unseasoned Words before the Almighty God or to cry Lord Lord whilst they have neither received nor are subject unto that Blessed Spirit which has right to call him so 1 Cor. 12.3 Or how any can rationally suppose that he who is clothed with divine Honour and Majesty who covers himself with Light as with a Garment who stretches forth the Heavens like a Curtain and walks upon the Wings of the Wind who maketh his Angels Spirits and his Ministers a flame of Fire and is of purer Eyes then to behold Iniquity can be truly and acceptably Served and Worshipped by such as do not only resist and rebel against that which brings into acceptance with God but also remain and delight in that which is an abomination unto him Section III. Concerning the necessity of receiving the Light Grace and Spirit of Christ in order to quicken and renew to God and so to prepare and qualifie People for his Worship and Service SInce then it appears that the Worship instituted by Christ is spiritual and that no man in his natural and unconverted state is capable of performing the same acceptably we may conclude and that upon sure grounds that the preparation of the holy Spirit is that which is absolutely necessary for men to know in the first place before they go about to perform their Devotions before the Lord Such as desire to worship God acceptably must believe in him whom God hath sent to redeem lost man unto him self viz. the Lord Jesus Christ who by his Light Grace and Spirit doth manifest Sir and Evil in the Hearts and Souls of People and reproveth for the same and also lead them that truly own and receive him unto Repentance and converteth them unto God he by his Power revealed in man doth Crucifie the Flesh with the Affections and Lusts he cleanses from Sin and Iniquity and quickens the Soul unto God raising up the same unto newness of Life so that those who in their natural and unconverted state have been Aliens unto God and Strangers to the Covenant of Promise through Faith in Christ and the work of his Grace and Spirit in their Hearts such come to be delivered from the Power of Darkness and translated into the Kingdom of Gods dear and wel-beloved Son to be made Heirs of Glory Fellow-Citizens with the Saints of the Houshold of God Col. 1.13 Ephes 2.19 and so are rendered capable of Worshipping and Serving God acceptably according to divine institution Being born again as the Apostle said not of corruptible Seed but of incorruptible by the Word of God which liveth and abideth forever 1 Pet. 1.23 As to the quickening and renewing Vertue of this divine Spirit and Light of Christ the Saints and Children of God have not only a living and blessed Experience thereof in this our day but also the Scriptures do afford us divers Testimonies concerning the same Jesus saith As the Father raiseth up the Dead and quickeneth them even so the Son quickeneth whom he will John 5.21 Again It is the Spirit that quickeneth the Flesh profiteth nothing John 6.63 And also the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans saith If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his and if Christ he in you the Body is Dead because of Sin but the Spirit is Life because of Righteousness but if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the Dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the Dead shall also quicken your mortal Bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you therefore Brethren we are Debtors not to the Flesh to live after the Flesh for if ye live after the Flesh ye shall Dye but if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the Body ye shall Live for as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God Rom. 8.9 10 11 12 13 14. And again the same Apostle in his Epistle
of God dwelleth in you if any man desile the Temple of God him shall God destroy for the Temple of God is holy which Temple ye are 1 Cor. 3.16 17. Again Ye are the Temple of the Living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my People 2 Cor 6.16 And also the Apostle Peter says Ye also as lively Stones are built up a spiritual House an holy Priesthood to offer up spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.5 Again the Author to the Hebrews expresseth himself thus Moses verily was faithful in all his House as a Servant for a Testimony of those things which were to be spoken after but Christ as a Son ever his own House whose House we are if we hold fast the Confidence and the rejoycing of the Hope from unto the end Heb. 3.5 6. By all which Testimonies its plainly manifest that the Saints and Children of God are that Spiritual House and Evangelical Temple wherein the Glory and presence of God is spiritually known and witnessed in this Gospel day which is yet further confirmed and held forth in that remarkable passage of the Apostle Paul to the Church at Ephesus Now therefore ye are no more Strangers and Forreigners but fellow Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner Stone in whom all the Building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord in whom you also are builded together for an Habitation of God through the Spirit Ephes 2.19 20 21 22. Howbeit Christians have Meeting-Places tho not in Jewish or Heathen Pomp and State but plain and suitable for that purpose answerable to the simplicity of the Life and Doctrine of their blessed Lord who teaches Humility Plainness and Moderation upon all accounts it is not simply the Place but the Persons there assembled that he has a regard unto who meet in his Name and Fear such doth he honour with his blessed Presence wheresoever they are met together to wait upon him and by the vertue of his Grace and Spirit he doth strengthen and confirm his Children and People enabling them to perform that Worship and Service which is acceptable unto God in this Gospel day Section V. Concerning silent waiting upon God for the help and concurrence of his holy Spirit in the performance of Divine Worship INasmuch as those who have received the Lord Jesus Christ and make profession of his blessed Name and Truth are so drawn into an outward and visible Society as that they do Meet and Assemble themselves together at seasonable and convenient times and places according to the practice of the true Believers in the primitive times so when they are assembled it ought to be the care of all to abstain from their own Actings Thoughts and Imaginations and to be inwardly retir'd in their Minds in a holy watchfulness and dependency upon the Lord that so being gathered together in his Name they may be sensible of his blessed Presence amongst them according to his promise Where two or three says he are gathered together in my Name there will I be in the midst of them This Name is not only an outward and literal Name but a pretious living powerful Name wherein true Comfort Strength Safety is nor is it an outward gathering only but an inward gathering in Heart Mind and Spirit unto that which is pure and holy therefore saith the Apostle I beseech you Brithren by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and by our gathering together unto him 2 Thes 2.1 By which it appears that the Saints gathering was unto Christ his Spirit and Power and as every one are thus gathered in Spirit as well as outwardly in Person the secret Power and Vertue of the divine Spirit is frequently known to Revive and Refresh their Souls and the pure Motions and Breathings thereof are witnessed from which as Words of Declaration Prayers or Praises to God do arise the pure spiritual and acceptable Worship and Service of God is known yea tho there be not a word spoken yet in possible that the true Spiritual Worship may be performed and the Church of Christ Edified Howbeit although this inward Silence and spiritual waiting upon God be a very great necessary Duty and in order preceeds all real acts of Divine Worship forasmuch as it is an inward retirement of the Mind from all its own Motions Workings Imaginations and vain Speculations and a meer dependance upon God for the help and influence of his Grace and Spirit yet it is very strange and opposit to the natural Will and Wisdom of Man whose roving Imaginations and running worldly Desires Vauities and Delights are not easily subjected and brought to silence and such are ready to think all time lost wherein there is not something spoken that 's obvious to the outward Senses not considering that so long as the natural Spirit of man is the first and chief Author and Actor of him in his Devotions towards God so as that he does not first wait for a Divine Guide to direct him he cannot worship acceptably nor bring forth any thing of himself but the Fruit of the faln natural and corrupt Root and indeed this is one great reason why many sober and discreet Persons in this our Age cannot joyn with the several forms of Worship now extant in the World but under a consciencious Exercise and Concern do dissent from them not in any stubbornness as some would charge them but really for Conscience sake lest they should offend God in joyning with that which he by his Spirit hath made them sensible of that he takes no delight in for what is a heap of the most Pathetical Words that can be uttered unto God Almighty when they are both begun carried on and concluded in mans own natural Will and Strengh without the motion or influence of the Spirit of God which is and must needs be of absolute necessity for enabling People to perform that Spiritual Worship which was instituted by our Lord and is now practiced by his People Yet nevertheless although this inward retiredness and spiritual waiting upon God be almost a mystery to the World and very hard difficult unto men in their natural unregenerate Sate yet it is that whereby the spiritual man renews his strength in the Lord it is frequently commanded born testimonyunto in the holy Scriptures as appears by the following Texts which the Reader may peruse at his Leasure Job 14.14 Psal 40.1 and 62 5. and 69.3 Prov. 20.22 Isa 40.31 Lam. 3.25 26. Hos 12.6 Hab. 2.1 Mat. 24.42 and 25.13 and 26.41 Mar. 13.37 2 Tim. 4.5 See also Ezra 9.4 Ezek. 3.15 16. Zech. 2.13 Job 2.13 Moreover this silence or silent waiting for a season before Words be spoken relating to the Worship
of that Divine Spirit and Power wherein there is neither Jew nor Greek Bond nor Free Male nor Female but all are one even in Christ Jesus Gal. 3 28. who by the operation of his free Spirit may exercise whom he pleases in Building up Strengthening and Confirming his Church and People as also in bearing a Testimony unto his Blessed and Holy Name amongst the Sons and Daughters of Men. And yet nevertheless as it hath been so it is and ought to be observ'd that such Women as are not truly called qualified for such Services in the Church ought not to presume to Speak and Teach there but to learn in Silence with all due Subjection and indeed it concerns all both Men and Women to be very careful in these respects and also to be cautious that under the pretence of divine motion they be not found going into foolish Whimsies and Extreams out of the Liberties and Confines of Christian Prudence Decency and Moderation but that all keep under the Guidance Conduct Government Order and Discipline of the blessed and holy Spirit and Power of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ otherwise it may be said of Men as well as Women Let them keep silence in the Church for it is not permitted unto them to Speak in a spiritual unpreparedness and in dis-union with God and his People nor in any rule undecent or disorderly manner For our God is not the author of Confusion but of Peace as in all the Churches of the Saints 1 Cor. 14.33 Section VIII Concerning the Rise of Gospel Performances and the Qualifications of Gospel Ministers showing that they are not from Human Learning Worldly Wisdom and Natural Arts and Sciences but from the Divine Spirit FRom what hath been said concerning the Christian Ministry it is clearly manifest that the Vertue and Power of the Divine Spirit is absolutely necessary for the Qualifying Calling and Constituting of a Gospel Minister and that it is by the secret help motion and assistance thereof that every true Evangelist and Gospel Minister is to be acted and supplied in the performance of their Duties and Services otherwise it does no way appear that they can either be acceptable unto God or beneficial unto men inasmuch as man of himself in his natural and unrenewed State notwithstanding his outward abilities as to Human Learning is as it were a Stranger unto God and really anacquainted with the Mysteries of his Heavenly Kingdom for although School Learning Worldly Wisdom and Human Arts and Sciences are much look't upon and applauded in this our Age as Qualifications absolutely necessary for the Gospel Ministry yet we no where find any such â—ress laid upon the same in the Scriptures but on the contrary it rather appears from thence that the knowledge of Divine and Spiritual Mysteries are hid from the worldly Wise and is revealed unto those who by the vertue of the holy Spirit are born again and so are become Babes in Christ Unto this our Lord Jesus has given a very plain and ample Testimony Luke 10.21 22. In that hour Jesus rejoyced in Spirit and said I thank thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth that thou hast hid these things from the Wise and Prudent and hast revealed them unto Babes even so Father for it seconed good in thy sight All things are delivered to me of my Father and no mar knoweth who the Son is but the Father and who the Father is but the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal him Again its observable that although the Apostle Paul was learned sufficiently and brought up at Gamaliel's Feet yet all his Learning and Knowledge could not truly open his Understanding in Divine and Spriritual Matters for whilst he was acted by that Wisdom which was from below he was so blind that he ran on in a fierce career to Persecute the People of God Acts 11.29 and was exceedingly Mad against them yea he confesseth himself that he was a Blasphemer 1 Tim. 1.13 a Persecutor and injurious and says That beyond measure he Parsecuted the Church of God and wasted it Gal. 1.13 But after it pleased God to meet with him to call him by his Grace and to reveal his Son in him he came to learn an other Lesson he was so far from applauding and exalting worldly Wisdom and human Arts and Sciences as Qualifications of absolute necessity for a Gospel Minister that he rather seems to oppose the same saying Where is the Wise Where is the Scribe Where is the Disputer of this World Hath not God made Foolish the Wisdom of this World For after that in the wisdom of God 1 Cor. 1.20 21 c. the World by wisdom knew not God it pleased God by the foolishness of Preaching to save them that Believe For the Jews require a Sign and the Greeks seek after Wisdom but we preach Christ Crucified unto the Jews a Stumbling-block and unto the Greeks Foolishness but unto them which are called both Jews and Greeks Christ the Power of God and the Wisdom of God. And also he says verse the 27th But God hath chosen the foolish things of the World to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of the World to confound the things that are mighty and base things of the World and things that are dispised hath God chosen yea and things which are not to bring to nought things that are that no Flesh should glory in his Presence Thus we see the Apostle doth much endeavour to debase the Wisdom of the World and to exalt the Power and Wisdom of God as yet still further appears in the following Chapter where he begins to speak concerning himself and his manner of coming unto the Corinthians saying 1 Cor. 2. And I Brethren when I came to you came not with excellency of Speech or of Wisdom declaring unto you the Testimony of God for I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him Crucified and I was with you in Weakness and in Fear and in much Trembling and my Speech and my Preaching was not with enticing Words of Mans Wisdom but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of Power that your Faith might not stand in the Wisdom of Men but in the Power of God. From whence it is very plain and clear that the Apostle Paul was no way enclin'd to allow that place unto Worldly Wisdom which of right belongs unto Divine Wisdom nor yet to attribute that unto natural Arts and Sciences which is only peculiar unto the holy Spirit which thing is also further confirm'd in the sequel of the same Chapter where the Apostle saith Eye hath not seen chap. 2.9 10 11 14. nor Ear heard neither hath it entered into the Heart of Man viz. man in the Fall the things which God hath prepared for them that Love him but God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit for the Spirit searcheth all things yea the
as no question but there is those Prayers and Devotions which are thus begun carried on and concluded in mans own natural Will Strength and Wisdom without the help and influence of the Grace and Spirit of Christ are of that number Object It s probable some may alledge That our Lord taught his Disciples to Pray and gave them a Form of Prayer Answ In answer whereunto I say That although he did so yet they were in some sort Disciples before he taught them not worldly men and his teaching them at that time is not an argument that every one in their own will and time can say that Prayer acceptably but we may rather infer from thence That as they then were not to pray as the Hypocrites and Heathen did but according as he taught them being then outwardly present with them even so his People are not to pray now as the Hypocrites and Heathen do but according as he teaches them being spiritually presents with them yet nevertheless that Prayer which he taught them as it was then so it is now very good and useful unto such as can express those Words there set forth in Truth and Righteousness Those who have received the adoption of Sons by vertue of the holy Spirit have right to call God Father and may say in Truth Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy Name thy Kingdom come thy Will be done 〈◊〉 Earth as it is in Heaven c. But on the contrary How can those who are Children of Wrath and subject to the power of Darkness truly call God Father How can they who are altogether unholy hallow the Name of God What will it avan such to tell of the coming of Gods Kingdom who daily rebel against that which would give an entrance thereunto How can those do the will of God in Earth who neither regard that which would enable them thereunto nor will believe that any such thing an be done Thus al tho wicke ungodly men may tell of Prayer yet in that state they are quite out of order and utterly uncapable of performing it acceptably until they have received the Spirit and have the help and influence thereof in some degree or other which thing yet leads me to this further observation If no man can call Jesus Lord but by the Holy Ghost as the Apostle positively affirms 1. Cor. 12.3 Then how can any truly call God Father but as they are in some measure acted by the Spirit of the Son. Howbeit I would have none to suspect that I do in the least intend hereby to discourage People in being diligent in Prayer and Supplication unto God Almighty but I would Caution and Exhort them in the Light of Christ to wait for the help and influence of his Grace and Spirit in such undertakings that so they may be enabled to perform those Duties acceptably before words be uttered unto the Lord let it first be considered how the Heart is prepared and from what root the words do proceed for it is not simply the words but the rise thereof that the Lord looks at in all our Services and Devotions before him And as those that fail in the Foundation do hazard the Superstructure even so where People fall wrong in the very ground of their Devotions their further proceedings therein will be in danger to prove Insignificant and Unsuccessful I do not say but that God who is rich in Mercy and waits to be gracious unto People doth and will pass by many Weaknesses and Imperfections upon these accounts yet none ought so to presume thereon as to make the particular acts of Gods Love and Condescension unto some and upon some accounts to be a general rule for all or to be an excuse or cover unto any for Disobedience and Rebellion it is certainly the duty of all to be diligent in Prayer and Supplication unto God and I cannot but exhort all People thereunto but then it does not follow that any shall attempt such performances or go about the same being unprepared by the Spirit of God for that thereby if they have been negligent in Prayer before they will be so far from mending the matter that they will incur a fresh censure therefore let it be the care of every one that goes about to perform the duty of Prayer to watch and wait upon God diligently for the help and concurrence of his blessed and holy Spirit in all such undertakings and also when they feel and witness themselves to be rightly disposed in Spirit for approaching before the Lord in Prayer and Supplication unto him let them consider themselves in his presence and be careful to appear in an humble and reverent posture of Body as well as Soul that is in a decent orderly and comely manner as much as well can be with bowed Knees Ephe. 3.12 1 Cor. 11.4 and men with uncovered Heads according to the Practice and Direction of the Apostle in those cases thereby shewing forth that holy Submission Reverence and Respect every way which we all owe to the Divine Majestly unto whom all Honour Glory and Praise is due world without end Section XII Concerning Singing of Pssalms and Artisscial Musick THe next thing to be considered is Singing of Pssalmes which is confest to be a part of Gods Worship and very acceptable as it proceeds from a true sence of God Love in the Heart and arises from the influence of the holy Spirit whereby the Lords People are led to breath forth unto God in a sweet and spiritual Harmony or in Words sutable to their present Condition but then on the contrary when vain minded People do go about to 〈◊〉 in their own will and time 〈◊〉 a forâ—al seigned and customary way 〈◊〉 having the knowledge of the motion and concurrence of the Divine Spirit and Word of Life in the Heart such Singing can no way be acceptable unto God nor beneficial unto those that use it for as it was in the case of Preaching and Praying so it is in this of Singing the holy Spirit is to be the chief and principal Author Mover and Actor in these respect Which thing will yet further appear if we consider the Words of the Apostle Paul upon this account Be not drunk with Wine wherein is excess but be filled with the Spirit Speaking to your selves in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs Singing and making Melody unto the Lord Ephes 5. 18 19. And again Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all Wisdom Teaching and Admonishing one another in Psalms and Hymns and spiritual Songs singing with Grace in your Hearts to the Lord Col. 3.16 From whence it is manifest That those Songs and that Melody which the Saints and Children of God are to be sound in the practice of are to spring and arise from that which is pure and holy therefore it is to be observ'd that he tells them of being filled with the Spirit and of the Word of Christ dwelling richly
in them before he mentions Singing or making Melody to the Lord and also the same Apostle gives an account what he himself will do upon this account saying I will sing with the Spirit and I will sing with the Vnderstanding also 1 Cor. 14.15 As for the Songs of wicked vain and ungodly People who daily rebel against the Light and Spirit of the Lord and the pure motions and conceptions thereof in themselves we do no where find that such have ever obtain'd divine acceptance in their excercise therein whilst they have continued in Vanity and Wickedness for the Lord by his Servants hath still testified against them Concerning Israel he saith Take thou away from me the noise of thy Songs for I will not hear the melody of thy Viols Amos 5.23 Also I will turn your Feasts into Mourning and all your Songs into Lamentation Amos 8.10 And of Tyrus he saith I will cause the noise of thy Songs to cease and the sound of thy Harps shall no more be heard Ezek. 26.13 And what was the reason of all this Even Sin and Iniquity for that has always been the cause of Dis-union and Separation between God and man. Object It s probable some may alledge the saying of the Apostle James Is any among you Afflicted let him Pray Is any Merry let him sing Psalmes And would infer from thence That if any be inclin'd to Mirth they may Sing by the Apostles Directions Answ In answer thereunto I say That there are two sorts of Mirth The one is a Mirth or Joy that springs up in the Hearts and Souls of Gods People being touch't and overcome with the Love and Presence of God as David said In thy Presence is fullness of Joy at thy right hand are Pleasures for evermore Psal 16.11 Also in Isaiah Behold my Servants shall sing for joy of Heart Isa 65.14 And Christ saith I will see you again and your Hearts shall rejoyce and your Joy no man taketh from you John 16.22 The other sort of Mirth or Joy is the Joy of wicked and sinful Men or that Mirth which arises from a vain foolish and wanton Mind The Apostle James is so far from directing such to sing Psalms that in the same Epistle he tells them of Mourning and Heaviness saying Cleanse your Hands ye Sinners and purifie your Hearts ye double minded be Afflisted and Mourn let your Laughter be turned into Mourning and your Joy into Heaviness James 4.8 9. Also Solomon spoke of this Mirth and said In Laughter the Heart is sorrowfull and the end of that Mirth is heaviness Prov. 14.13 Again he saith The Heart of Fools is in the House of Mirth Eccles 7.4 Also the Prophet speaking concerning Israel that was Apostatized and gone from the Lord and the counsel of his Spirit amongst other things says I will also cause her mirth to cease Hosea 2.11 Thus then as it is manifest that there is two sorts of Mirth or Joy and that the Mirth or Joy of the Wicked is but Vanity therefore we may conclude that the Mirth spoken of by the Apostle was that true Mirth or Joy that arises in the Hearts of Gods People being secretly toucht and overcome with the Love and Goodness of God and those who are witnesses of this true Mirth and Joy may sing Psalms according to the Apostles directions upon that account Object Some may object and say That although the Lord disowns vain Mirth yet David 's Psalmes are very good and useful and may be sung by those professing Christianity Answ Although David's Psalmes are very good and useful yet it does not therefore follow that any can sing them acceptably unless they be in some measure endued with that Spirit of God David was endued with and be under the fence and exercise of what they speak It is not only the repeating or singing over of good Words that the Lord looks at as hath been before observ'd but it is the frame and disposition of their Souls and Spirits from whom those words do actually proceed There 's no question but the Singers of Israel could express themselves with great Curiosity and draw out their Notes very exactly but what signified all that so long as it was not real but only formal and that their Hearts were adulterated from the Lord To what purpose can any rationally suppose it to be for People to sing David's Psalmes in Saul's Spirit or for those who spend their precious time in Wickedness Folly and Vanity and do very seldom think of Divine and Spiritual matters or of the Eternal and Irrevocable decree that must in one day be past upon them to sing thus I am weary with my Groanings All the Night make I my Bed to Swim I water my Couch with Tears My Heart is like Wax it is melted in the midst of my Bowels My Heart is not haughty nor my Eyes lofty My Soul is even as a weaned Child I have hated the Congregation of Ev l-Doers and will not sit with the Wicked I have set the Lord always before me My Heart is endicting a good matter I have remembered thy Name O Lord and have kept thy Law. Thy Statutes have been my Songs in the House of my Pilgrimage Thy Testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever for they are the rejoycing of my Heart Lord I have loved the habitation of thy House and the place where thine Honour dwelleth These were David's Words and it s very likely that he was a Witness of what he spoke in these respects but then for any to undertake to sing them before the Lord because David spoke them and not because they are witnesses of such things in themselves nor of the Work and Influence of the Grace and Spirit of Christ by which these things are effected such Singers will not meet with divine acceptance in such performances nor is Singing in the least suitable to their State and Condition but rather Mourning and Lamentation because of Sin and Transgression Howbeit still although the Songs of the Wicked shall be turn'd into Lamentation and their Mirth into Heaviness in one day if they report not yet the Righteous shall Rejoyce and be exceeding Glad in the Lord and shall sing to his Praise and Glory in the Congregations of his People as David said Sing unto the Lord O ye Saints of his and give thanks at the remembrance of his Holiness Psal 30.4 Again Sing unto the Lord a new Song and his Praise in the Congregation of Saints Psal 149. 1. It s only those who by the Power and Spirit of Christ are gathered and redeemed out of the Defilements and Vanities of this World that can truly sing this new Song as John said No man could learn that Song but the hundred and fourty four thousand which were redeemed from the Earth Rev. 14.3 Such can sing the Songs of Sion and the Songs of Deliverance in the Land of the Living and can truly Magnifie and Extol that great and powerful