Law which was delivered unto the Children of Israel by the Ministry of Moses it pleased him according to his determinate Will and everlasting Counsel to send his own Son the Lord Jesus Christ who was born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem of Judea of whom Moses and the Prophets did write and whom John testified of to be the Lamb of God who taketh away the Sins of the World John 1.29 He perfectly fulfilled the Law and the Righteousness thereof and gave witness unto the Dispensation of the Gospel drawing Religion into the secret of the Heart he made it to consist in a higher state of Righteousness then that of the Law called Evangelical he also approved himself and the excellency of his Doctrine by many great and wonderful Signes and Miracles and sealed it with his Blood for that after he had preach't that heavenly Doctrine and wrought many Miracles among the Jews he was apprehended and by wicked hands was Crucified and Slain yet God raised him up again so that he triumphed over Death of which it was impossible for him to be held and after he was so raised up from the Dead he appeared to his Disciples and Followers who had believed in him comforting them with the hope and assurance of the pouring forth attendance of his Spirit by which he was to be with them unto the end of the World and by which they and all such as afterwards should come to believe in his holy Name might be rendered capable of bearing and holding forth a true certain and faithful Testimony for him whom God hath appointed for Salvation unto the ends of the Earth and also of performing that Worship and Service which was instituted by him which Worship is Spiritual and cannot be truly performed by the Art Strength Wisdom and Policy of men in their natural and unconverted state but only by those who are spiritually quickened and renewed unto God in some measure and whose Hearts and Souls are fitted and prepared by the Light Grace Spirit Power of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ That the Worship instituted by Christ is Spiritual is very plain from his own Words unto the Woman of Samaria John 4.21 22 23 24. Jesus said unto her Woman believe me the hour cometh when ye shall neither in this Mountain nor yet at Jerusalem worship the Father ye worship ye know not what we know what we worship for Salvation is of the Jews but the hour cometh and now is when the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth This is the chiefest and most ample Testimony that Christ gives of the Christian worship as different and contradistinguished from that under the Law he tyeth not his People to the Temple at Jerusalem nor unto any other place but plainly holds out that the season is now come wherein the worship must be in Spirit and in Truth he also gives the reason for it and excellently argues from the anology that ought to be betwixt the Object and the Worship directed thereunto viz. God is a Spirit therefore he must be worshipped in Spirit This Testimony of our Lord is so clear in the case that I need not enlarge much further upon it but only add the saying of the Apostle Paul to the Church at Philippi We are the Circumcision that worship God in the Spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus having no confidence in the Flesh Phil. 3.3 By which it appears that the Saints and People of God in those dayes were in the practice of that worship which was instituted by our Lord as aforesaid Section II. Concerning Mans incapacity of Worshipping and Serving God acceptably in his natural and unconverted State. THat Men in their natural and unconverted state are uncapable of performing this spiritual Worship is certainly true for that whilst they remain in that state they cannot do any thing that is really good and acceptable unto God being subject unto that depraved and ungodly Spirit which leads People into Iniquity and rules in all the Children of Disobedience it comes to pass that not only their Words and Deeds but also the Imaginations of their Hearts are evil continually their Thoughts Notions and Conceptions concerning Divine and Spiritual matters are unprofitable both to themselves and others which thing doth yet further appear from divers Testimonies in the Scriptures of Truth Moses said That God saw the Wickedness of man was great in the Earth and that every Imagination of the thoughts of his Heart was only evil continually and that it repented the Lord that he had made man on the Earth and it grieved him at his Heart Gen. 6.5 6. David saith The Lord looked down from Heaven upon the Children of men to see if there were any that did understand and seek God and says They are all gone aside they are altogether become filthy there is none that doth good no not one Psal 14.2 3. And again But unto the Wicked God saith What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldst take my Covenant into thy Mouth Psal 50.16 Jeremiah saith The Heart is deceitful and desperately wicked who can know it Jer. 17.9 Our Lord saith An evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things Matth. 12.35 Also the Apostle Paul alluding to the saying of David says Thero is none Righteous no not one there is none that understandeth there is none that seeketh after God they are all gone out of the way they are altogether become unprofitable there is none that doth good no not one Rom. 3.10 11 12. Thus it is to be observed that what is thus spoken relates to men in their natural and unconverted State wherein their Souls are dead unto God and the things of his Kingdom and cannot live unto him nor do any such lively act as to serve him until they receive the Lord Jesus Christ and know the vertue and power of his Grace Spirit inwardly to quicken them unto God That so they may serve him in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the Letter Rom. 7.6 For alas it is not the bare performance of such things as are supposed to be religious duties that brings into acceptance with God unless the Heart Soul and Spirit of man be renewed fitted prepared and qualified by that which is holy and pure it s the rise of the performance that God looks at more then the outward act he that searches the Heart and tryes the Reins of men before whom all things are naked and bare looks not so much upon the external Fabrick as the internal frame of the Soul Vnto this man will I look saith the Lord even to him that is poor and of a contrite Spirit and trembleth at my Word Isa 66.2 We read that although the Jews were in the practice
THE Spiritual Worship EXALTED OR A Treatise concerning the Worship and Service of God Shewing how uncapable men are in their natural and unconverted State of Worshipping and Serving God acceptably in this Gospel day And that it is the Light Grace and Spirit of Christ reveaved in men which doth Renew Fit Prepare and â—ualifie them for performing that Pure Spiritual and Acceptable Worship which was instituted by our Lord and practiced by his Disciples and Followers As also several other things here inserted worthy of observation By a Lover of Truth and Wel-wisher of the Souls of all men George Myers But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritualy discern'd 1 Cor. 2.14 But the hour cometh and now is when the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him John 4.23 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth John 4.24 Give unto the Lord the Glory due unto his Name Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness Psal 29.2 THE PREFACE TO THE Reader FOrasmuch as Divine Worship is the supream act of mans Life and a duty incumbent upon all for that thereby we answer the end of our Creation and pay those Respects and Acknowledgments which we owe to the Divine Majesty for all his Bounties and Favours towards us It greatly behoves all People to be very serious and weighty in that respect and truly to inform themselves what that Worship is which is acceptable unto God and how People ought to be qualified for performing the same the want of a right understanding upon these accounts has occasioned great Miscarriages and Defects among People in Religions matters and is one great reason why there are so many Jars and Divisions about the several Forms and Ways of Worship now extant in the World. The consideration of these things together with the drawings of Divine Love have induced me to the publication of this following Treatise wherein divers things relating to the Worship and Service of God are declared and held forth and whereby it is manifest that it is the Light Grace and Spirit of Christ revealed in the Hearts of the Sons and Daughters of Men that rightly Renews Fits Prepares and Qualifies them for Worshipping and Serving God acceptably and opens their Vnderstandings in Divine and Spiritual matters insomuch that in all acts of Worship and Service unto God the Holy Ghost is to have the Precedency so as to move act influence and assist the Persons exercised therein whether it be in publick Preaching Testimonies and Declarations for God and his Truth or in Prayers Praises and Thanksgivings unto him And also that those who in their own Will and Time do go about to perform acts of Worship and Service unto God in their Natural and Vnconverted State whilst they are despising and dis-regarding the Counsel Drawings and Directions of the Light and Spirit of Christ in themselves such Worshippers in that State and under those Circumstances may please themselves with such pretences but can no way perform that Divine and Spiritual Worship which is acceptable unto God in this Gospel day Although I might have produced divers Testimonies both of Antient and Modern Authors in favour of this Discourse yet for several Reasons I rather chuse to keep close to the Holy Scriptures inasmuch as I conceive those who are inclined to be Religious will not dare to make exceptions against that which is concluded to proceed from the Divine Spirit Let none be Offended that I do not admit of human Learning and natural Arts and Sciences to be of such absolute necessity for the Qualification of a Gospel Minister as some would have them For by what is here Written I do no way intend to undervalue human Learning or lessen its esteem in the minds of such as are inclin'd to make a right use thereof for I do grant that it is good and serviceable in its place yea it is and may be serviceable upon many accounts to a Gospel Minister where it is reduc'd to a blessed Subordination and Conformity to the Spirit of Truth but then if People will attempt to exalt it above the teachings of the Divine Spirit and lay that stress upon it for opening the Mysteries of Truth which the Holy Ghost will not admit of in that case I found my self concern'd to bear a Testimony for the Truth and against the Vanity of such as would extol human Learning and natural Arts and Sciences above their proper use and service Albeit the consideration of those many Treatises which have been writ by other Hands upon these accounts did at first seem to divert me from this undertaking yet for clearing of my Conscience in the sight of God and in performance of that Duty and Service which I owe to him I thought fit to cast my Mite into the Treasury desiring that what I have here Written in Humility may be Read and Expounded in Charity and that God Almighty who is the Author of all our Blessings may by his Grace and Goodness make this small Treatise effectual for informing the minds of People upon these accounts and for reducing them into that pure and spiritual Worship which is acceptable unto him through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen So desireth and so prayeth thy Christian Friend George Myers THE CONTENTS § 1. COncerning the Worship that was Instituted by Jesus Christ and Practiced by his People pag. 1. § 2. Concerning Mans incapacity of Worshiping and Serving God acceptably in his natural and unconverted State. pag. 4. § 3. 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 pag. 10. § 4. Concerning the Gospel Church and Evangelical Temple pag. 15. § 5. Concerning silent waiting upon God for the help and concurrence of his holy Spirit in the performance of Divine Worship pag. 20. § 6. Concerning the Preparation Call and Ordination of Gospel Ministers pag. 25. § 7. Concerning Women Preaching pag. 34. § 8. Concerning the Rise of Gospel Performances 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 pag. 43. § 9. Concerning outward Force and Violence in Religious matters and the unlawfulness of forceable resisting the temporal Magistracy p. 55. § 10. Concerning the Maintenance of Gospel Ministers pag. 63. § 11. Concerning Prayer pag. 75. § 12. Concerning Singing of Psalms and Artifical Musick pag. 88. The Conclusion pag. 98. THE Spiritual Worship EXALTED Section I. Concerning the Worship that was Instituted by Jesus Christ and Practiced by his People AFter the Lord God in his own appointed time saw meet to put an end to the Dispensation of the
should Prophesie what not but he was speaking of that order and decency which such as Prophesie ought to observe he was treating of Spiritual Gifts and of Speaking and Praying in an unknown Tongue and of the method that such should use If any Man says he speak in an unknown Tongue let it be by two or at the most by three and that by course and let one interpret but if there be no Interpreter let him keep silence in the Church and let him speak to himself and to God let the Prophets speak two or three and let the other judge and if any thing be revealed to him that sitteth by let the first hold his peace for ye may all Prophesie one by one c. then he adds Let your Women keep silence in the Churches for it is not permitted unto them to speak but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the Law and if they will learn any thing let them ask their Husbands at home for it is a shame for a Woman to speak in the Church And so he goes on and concludes that Chapter with these Words Let all things be done decently and in order By all which it is very clear plain that the Apostles drift was to advise them unto a decent comely and orderly method in the Church and that he did not intend a general prohibition unto Women howsoever they were called or qualified for then had he not only opposed their approved Practice in the Church but even his own Testimony in the very same Epistle where he saith Every Woman that Prayeth or Prophesieth with her Head uncovered dishonoureth her Head chap. 11.5 Thus he is so far from disallowing of Women Praying or Prophesing that he adviseth how they shall be covered and demean themselves in the performance of such Services and Devotions Again the Apostle says Ye may all Prophesie one by one and if All then Women as well as Men forasmuch as without any restriction he directs his Epistle to the Church of God at Corinth which no question consisted of Women as well as Men if then these words Ye may all Prophesie have relation unto them to whom the Apostle directed that Epistle as is certain then Women may Prophesie as well as Men provided they be truly called and qualified by the Spirit of God and that any thing be revealed and enjoyned upon them to declare and hold forth unto People from him who is and ought to be the sole orderer and disposer of the Hearts and Spirits of all his People And as for that saying of his unto Timothy it is much to the same purpose for he was speaking how Women should adorn themselves and how they should not adorn themselves then he subjoyns Let the Woman learn in silence with all subjection but I suffer not a Woman to Teach nor to usurp Authority over the Man but to be Silent 1 Tim. 2.9 10 11 12. There is no question but there were such Women at Ephesus where Timothy then was who had need of this care to be taken concerning them and at Corinth too such as were unlearned proud and tattling Women not come to the true silence and therefore he says Let the Women learn in silence with all subjection Again its probable there might be such as would be teaching and usurping authority over the Man such had need to be silent indeed that 's without dispute for if they were for usurping authority over the man they were very unfit to be Teachers of others But what of all this although Proud Vain Tattling Ignorant and Unlearned Women are not to be permitted to Speak in the Church nor to make disturbance there with their unseasonable and unlearned Questions and Discourses but are to learn in Silence with all Subjection and to be under Obedience as also saith the Law yet it does not therefore follow but that such Women as are become Meek Humble Sober Grave Temperate Wise and Discreet and keep their Place and Station in the blessed Truth and have been content to learn in silence with all subjection may do and perform such Services and Devotions in the Church of Christ as they may be called unto and have a necessity from the Lord laid upon them to be found in the practice of whether it be in publick Declarations and Testimonies for God and his Truth or in Prayers Praises and Thanksgivings unto him The Scriptures do afford us divers Testimonies that Women as well as Men have been concerned upon these accompts to pass by divers that might be mentioned whose Names are recorded in the writings of the Old Testament in whom the Spirit of the Lord has been so prevalent that they have appeared Zealous for the God of Israel we shall only speak of those mention'd in the writings of the New Testament who have been concerned in the Work and Service of the Gospel We Read that Anna the Daughter of Phanuel was a Prophetess and Preached to the People in the Temple at Jerusalem the Clorious Day of Israel's Redemption Luke 2.36 37 38. The next is the Woman of Samaria with whom Christ himself Conversed she was taught of Christ himself that he was the Messiah and then she went and Publish't the same in the City Sychar John 4.26.28 29. Again we find that ridings of Christs Resurrection was first publish't by a Woman viz. Mary Magdalen and that she was commanded by Christ himself to go to his Brethren and say unto them I ascend unto my Father and your Father and to my God and your God John 20.17 18. And also Philip the Evangelist who was one of the seven mentioned Acts 6.5 had four Daughters Virgins which did Prophesie Acts 21.8 9. Moreover the Apostle Paul himself was so far from discouraging Women upon these accounts that he mentions several being concerned with him in the Work and Service of Gospel he begins the 16 chapter to the Romnus thus I commend unto you Phebe our Sister which is a Servant of the Church which is at Cenchrea Again Greet Priscilla and Aquila my fellow helpers in Christ Jesus Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis which laboured much in the Lord Rom. 16.3 12. All these were Women except Aquila Also the same Apostle in his Epistle to the Philippians writeth thus And I intreat thee also true Yoke-Fellow help those Women that laboured with me in the Gospel with Clement also and other my fellow Labourers whose Names are written in the Book of Life Phil. 4.3 Thus it is manifest that serious godly and wel-disposed Women whom the Lord by his Grace and Spirit stired up in former Ages to serve him and to bear a Testimony for his Name and Truth were owned by the Apostle in their Service and accepted of in the Church of Christ and indeed they ought to be so still wherein it is manifest that their Exercise and Service stands in the Truth and in the fellowship
to the Ephesians says And you hath he quickened who were dead in Trespasses and Sins yea God who is rich in Mercy for his great Love wherewith he loved us even when we were dead in Sins hath quickned us together with Christ by Grace are ye saved and hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus Ephes 2.1 4 5 6. From whence it is very clear and plain that it is the Spirit of Christ that quickeneth the Souls of those who have been dead in Trespasses and Sins and that if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his and if he be none of Christs he is none of the true Church and consequently no true Worshipper Again he says That as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God and if Sons then Heirs and Members of the true Church who worship God in the Spirit Moreover as the Lord Jesus Christ by his divine Spirit and Power doth thus work upon the Hearts and Souls of those that receive him in order to cleanse from Sin and Iniquity and to raise up into newness of Life so also it is he only by his holy Light and Spirit that truly prepared and disposes the Hearts of People for the service of God and opens the Mysteries of Truth unto the Sons and Daughters of Men He it is that hath the Key of David that opens and no man shutteth and shutteth and no man openeth Rev. 3.9 And without him the vision of divine things are as a Book that is Sealed and hid from the wisdom of man in the Fall and no man is worthy to open the Seals thereof for which cause it seems John Wept as we read in the Revelation And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the Throne a Book written within and on the back-side sealed with seven Seals and I saw a strong Angel proclaiming with a loud voice Who is worthy to open the Book and to loose the Seales thereof and no man in Heaven nor in Earth neither under the Earth was able to open the Book neither to look thereon and I wept much because none was found worthy to open the Book neither to look thereon and one of the Elders said unto me Weep not behold the Lion of the Tribe of Judah the Root of David hath prevailed to open the Book and to loose the seven Seals thereof Rev. 5.1 2 3 4 5. By the Lion of the tribe of Juda is to be understood the Lord Jesus Christ who prevailed with the Father to open the Book of Truth and to loose the Seals thereof without whom no man is able to open the same be he never so Wise in worldly Wisdom and never so Learned in natural Arts and Sciences as may hereafter in its due and proper place more fully and at large appear Section IV. Concerning the Gospel Church and Evangelical Temple AS it is the Light Spirit and Power of our Lord Jesus Christ that truely quickens and renews People unto God and renders them capable of performing that Spiritual Worship which is acceptable unto him so also it is by the vertue and influence of the same Spirit and Power that the Lords People have been and are stated in a joynt Fellowship and Communion and are drawn into an outward and visible Society and so come under the name of a Church yet for a better understanding of the word Church or what is meant thereby it may be considered in a two fold respect First As it comprehends all whatsoever of every Nation Kindred Tongue and People whom the Lord God by his universal Spirit and Power revealed and made manifest in and through our Lord Jesus Christ doth truly call and gather out of the Life and Spirit of the World and the Pollutions and Defilements thereof into that Pure Holy and Righteous State of Faith and Life wherein they are cccepted of God and owned by him as his Children and People which make up that one true Universal or Catholic Church out of which indeed there is no Salvation Secondly The word Chuch may be taken for a certain number of Persons who being Members of this Universal Church are gathered into an outward and visible Society and do Meet and Assemble themselves together really to wait upon and Worship the Living God and to bear a Testimony for the Truth against Error The Church in the first sence in Scripture terms is called The New Holy and Heavenly Jerusalem the general Assembly and Church of the First-Born the Lambs Bride and the City of the Living God Heb. 12.22 23. Rev. 19.7 and 21.2 9 10. The Church in the latter sence we have it often mentioned in the Scriptures as appears Mat. 18.17 1 Cor. 1.2 Gal. 1.2 1 Thes 1.1 also Rev. 1.4 John writteth to the seven Churches in Asia Thus it is not the outward House Frabrick or Building of Wood or Stone that is or can be truly term'd the Church or House of God in this Gospel day as some vainly do conceive and therefore do ascribe some imaginary Sanctity or Holiness thereunto but it is the Assembly of Believers in this sence gather'd together as aforesaid who are the Evangelical Temple Gospel Church and House of God the Ornaments whereof are not the Embroideries and Furnitures of wordly Art and Wealth but the Gifts and Graces of the holy Spirit Love Meekness Faith Patience Long-suffering Humility Self-denial and Charity with other Christian Vertues 'T is true the Jews under the old Covenant and Dispensation of the Law had an outward Temple where they were to Worship as in 1 Kings 9. and 2 Chron. 7. and because the Lord was pleased to Hollow it for his Name and honour it with his Presence as also to cause an outward Glory and Majesty to appear there by causing Fire from Heaven to consume their Sacrifices c. therefore it was called the House of God as is manifest in the writings of the old Testament And also the Lord Jesus before he was offered up gives it that Name Mat. 21.13 Joh. 2.16 But then after Christ was offered up and the pure spiritual Worship and Service came to be Exalted and born Testimony unto by the Apostles and Servants of Christ that outward Temple being left desolate of the Glory and Presence of God it came to Ruin according to the saying of the Lord Jesus and the true Ministers of the Gospel plainly testified That the most high dwelt not in Teinples made with Hands Acts 7.48 and 17.24 25. Neither was he Worshipped with mens hands as though he needed any thing seeing he giveth to all Life and Breath and all things but he is Worshipped in Spirit John 4.24 His Tabernacle is with men he will dwell with them and they shall be his People Rev. 21.3 Therefore the Apostle thus writes to the Church at Corinth Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God and that the Spirit
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
and Service of God doth not thus only appear to be agreeable to Scripture Testimony but also is answerable even to Reason natural Experience in other things for he that would learn of a Master any Art or Science ought not to fall on speaking or acting immediately of his own Mind and Will so continue unquiet but rather should be silent for a season to hear his Master instruct him what and how he shall door say and then proceed So also he that undertakes to serve a Master should not run hastily on to do things in his own Time and Will nor yet to deaffen his Master with Discourse though it were in Praises of him but he ought rather to wait to hear his Master speak and inform him what and how to do and then proceed to act according to his Directions Even so those that desire to be taught of God and instructed by him in Righteousness ought not to keep themselves continually busied with their own Imaginations and Inventions but patiently to wait upon God that so he by his Grace and Spirit may Teach and Instruct them and also those that desire to serve God in this Gospel day ought not to run hastily about the same in their own corrupt forward and unrenewed Wills and Minds but diligently to attend upon God to feel the Strength and Counsel of his Spirit in such undertakings Section VI. Concerning the Preparation Call and Ordination of Gospel Ministers AS it is the duty of every Christian to wait upon God for the help and strength of his holy Spirit in order to sit prepare qualifie them for the Worship Service of God so it is by the Power and Vertue of the Divine Spirit that every true Evangelist and Gospel Minister is ordained prepared and supplied in the work of the Ministry otherwise he cannot be truly said to be a Minster of the Spirit for as none could be Ministers of the Letter who had thence no ground of their Call nor directions therefrom how when nor after what manner they should Minister neither can any be reall Ministers of the Spirit who are not called ordained fitted and prepared by it nor are acquainted with the motions and directions thereof in order to draw move act influence assist and go before them in the Work and Service of the Gospel As for the Service of the Jews under the Dispensation of the Law there was a certain Tribe allotted for the Ministry which was the Tribe of Levi so that then People needed not to question who should be Priests and Ministers of holy things for that the Lord God by his Servant Moses did set apart divers of the aforesaid Tribe for the Priestood and other Offices as also he did direct how and after what manner their Worship and Service was to be performed as may be seen at large in the writings of Moses And besides that it pleased God at divers times under that Dispensation by the immediate Testimony of his holy Spirit to raise up several Persons to Teach Instruct and Reprove the People as Samuel Nathan Elias Elisha Jeremiah Amos and others of the Prophets but now under the new Covenant and Dispensation of the Gospel there is no such Tribe of People allotted set a part particularly for the Ministry as was under the Law neither is the Worship and Service of Christians Celebrated after the manner of the Jews in divers respects nor is it attended with those outward Ceremonies and shadowing Performances as was that of the Jews for the Christian Worship Service is performed in Spirit in Truth as hath been before and still yet may be further observed and therein it greatly Excelleth and far Transcended that under the Law being under the administration of Life and Glory wherein the Lord Jesus Christ is alone exalted as high Priest and Prophet of his People who being the Lord of true Divinity doth spiritually Call Ordain Constitute and Qualifie the Ministers of the new Testament and Instruct them in the Spiritual Law which is the delight of Gods People That the Apostles and Servants of Christ in the Primitive times were called and qualified by the Divine Spirit to and for the Work of the Ministry is so plain and clear that none need question it unless it be such who at this day would assume and arrogate unto themselves the name and title of Gospel Ministers by Virtue of some outward Ordination without the call help and influence of the holy Spirit unto such I say it greatly behoves them to consider how and when the Lord Jesus Christ did transfer that power unto man which is only peculiar unto himself I know that those who despise the motion and diclares of the Grace of God in themselves and yet would be esteemed Ministers are apt to deny that the Power and Influence of the holy Spirit is of absolute necessity for the Call and Qualification of a Gospel Minister and therefore do wholly betake themselves to an outward Ordination for a refuge otherwise such would have nothing to stand upon in that respect for what they pretend to 'T is certain and always granted that those whom God is pleased to Call and Qualifie by his Grace and Spirit to and for the Work and Service of the Gospel are to be owned and approved of by his Church and People but then it does not therefore follow that any who have only attained unto some degree of humane Learning Knowledg in Arts Sciences can be thereby fitted for the Gospel Ministry or that such Person under those Circumstances can be rightly qualified for that Work Service by the Power of man without the call help influence and assistance of the blessed and holy Spirit and Power of our Lord Jesus Christ wherein the true power of Ordination stands and not in men as men but in the Spirit of Christ which ought to have the supream Government in the hearts of men and those who are truly called ordained and qualified by the divine Spirit for the Work and Service of the Gospel are accepted of God and approved of by his Church and People as the Apostle said He that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God and approved of Men Rom. 14.18 Also we read that the Apostle Paul when he took his leave of the Elders of the Church of Ephesus he thus expressed himself Take heed therefore unto your selves and to all the Flock over which the holy Ghost hath made you Overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own Blood Acts 20.28 And again the holy Ghost said unto the Prophets Teachers which were in the Church at Antioch Seperate me Barnabas and Saul for the Work whereunto I have called them and when they had Fasted and Prayed and laid their hands on them they sent them away so it s said they being sent forth by the holy Ghost departed unto Soleucia and from thence they sailed to Cyprus and
deep things of God for what man knoweth the things of a man save the Spirit of a man which is in him even so the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God further adding That the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned Moreover if the Lord had intended human Learning and Arts and Sciences to have been absolutely necessary for the Qualification of a Gospel Minister its probable he would not only have recommended the same the necessity thereof in those respects by some of his Servants but also would have chosen more of the Learned Doctors Rabbies of the times to have been publishers of his Mind Will unto the People in times past but on the contrary we find very few of those great Doctors that went upon that Errand neither under the Prophetical nor Evangelical Dispensation but rather the Lord was pleased to make use of Honest Plain often times Illiterate People upon these accompts to call several from their Vocations and Callings as the Scriptures bear witness to bear Testimony for him his Name and Truth unto the Sons and Daughters of Men that so the Glory of God and the excellency of his Wisdom and Power might more appear in and through such weak Instruments Object Now if any shall object That although several of the Apostles were unlearned when Jesus called them yet the Lord made them Learned by a Miracle before they went abroad to teach all Nations and from thence would argue That Illiterate People are not fit to preach the Gospel nor any but such who by the help of human Learning can understand divers Tongues and Languages Answ In answer thereunto I say That forasmuch as the Apostles were commanded to go and Teach all Nations the gift of Tongues was requisit at that time and upon that occasion to enable them to express themselves in every Nations proper Dialect that so those People to whom they spake might the better understand what was spoken to them yet it does not follow that because the gift of Tongues was expedient for them at that time in order to render them capable of speaking to the understanding of other Nations that therefore they must be Learned in other Tongues who speak only to People of their own Language Yet nevertheless it is not denied but that human Learning and Art and Sciences are very useful good and servicable in their places as a right use is made thereof for that People are thereby made more capable of managing temporal Affairs both in respect of Merchandize Trading and other matters as also it may so fall out that human Learning and the knowledg of Tongues and Languages may be useful upon some accounts unto such as are or may be called unto the Work and Service of the Gospel but then it is in a blessed Subordination and Conformity to the Teachings of the Divine Spirit which is that Golden-Key that opens the Mysteries of Truth and inspires the Soul with a right understanding of Spiritual matters and those People whose understandings are not opened thereby be they never so Learned or Wise in the Learning or Wisdom of the World yet by reason of the blindness of their Hearts Luk. 8.10 Ephes 4.18 Seeing they see not and Hearing they understand not the Mysteries of Gods Kingdom Yet so it is that when many People have by natural Education and Study acquired unto some knowledg in human Learning Arts and Sciences they grow puft up in Mind wise in their own Conceit and impatient of Contradiction and so are not willing that the use of natural Arts and Sciences should be so kept within their proper Sphere as to be limitted unto natural things and held in a subserviency to the holy Spirit but such will needs fall a meddling in things of a higher nature and by the help of human Learning and wordly Wisdom without the Revelation and Influence of the Divine Spirit they will put their meanings upon the Scriptures and give Expositions and Constructions upon Divine and Spiritual matters and which is yet worse they will oftentimes attempt the imposing of their Notions upon others and when the Lord is pleased to raise up any to oppose them then they fall into Passion Wrath Cruelty and Persecution the fruits of the Spirit of Error and upon this occasion it is that so many Contests Disagreements Jarrs and Controversies have risen among the Professors of the Christian Religion even because Poople have over-valued worldly Wisdom which is servicable in its place and under-valued sleighted opposed and disregarded the Teaching Direction Counsel Evidence and Revelation of the Light Grace and Spirit of Christ in themselves which alone can truly open and discover the meaning of that which hath proceeded from the same Spirit in others Luke 24.45 and so instead of the gracious Influence of the Divine Spirit they betake themselves unto human Literature Arts and Sciences and by their Dark Suggestions Quaint Distinctions and Logical Terms do render things more Obscure Intricate and Mysterious then of themselves they are so that the World is even burdened with the Voluminous Tractates long tedious and uncertain Discourses about Religious matters therefore hath it pleased God in his infinite Wisdom and Counsel in a great measure to lay aside the Wise and Prudent in the Wisdom of this World and by his Eternal Spirit to fit and qualifie many weak mean and contemptible Instruments in the Eyes of men and make use of them for the publishing of his pure and naked Truth that so it might be freed of those Mists and Foggs wherewith those Linguists have clouded it and that People might be directed to wait for that universal Spirit which as it is received doth opperate in the Hearts and Souls of People in order to work out Sin and Iniquity raise up into newness of Life and to give People an understanding in Divine and Spiritual matters that so they may be thereby fitted prepared and qualified for performing that Pure and Spiritual Worship which is acceptable unto God in this Gospel day And further such hath been the good pleasure of our God in times past as also in this our day not only in a great measure to lay aside the Wise and Prudent of the World upon these accounts but also to set aside as unnecessary for the Gospel Ministry those long tedious Books Discourses and Comments which have been and are the product of worldly Wisdom and the fruit of mans natural and unrenewed Mind and Spirit and the Lord by his own Wisdom Spirit and Power doth aid furnish assist and supply every true Gospel Minister in the performance of his Duty and Service both as to matter what the time when and the Persons to whom thus doth he in his heavenly Counsel order and dispose the Spirits of his People suitable for every Occasion and
Service that they are called unto as there is a true dependance upon him So that the very rise of their Services is not simply from human Abilities but from the divine Gift as the Apostle very well observed As every man hath received the Gift even so minister the same one to another as good Stewards of the manifold Grace of God if any man speak let him speak as the Oracles of God if any man minister let him do it as of the ability which God giveth that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 4.10 11. Again the Apostle Paul to the Romans writeth thus Having then Gifts differing according to the Grace that is given to us whether Prophesie let us Prophesie according to the proportion of Faith or Ministry les us wait on our Ministring or he that Teacheth on Teaching or he that Exhorteth on Exhortation Rom. 12.6 7 8. From whence it is yet further clearly manifest that the rise and foundation of true Gospel Performances stands not in worldly Wisdom or human Arts and Sciences but in the Gift and Grace of God revealed and manifested in Jesus Christ our Lord. Section IX Concerning outward Force and Violence in Religious matters and the unlawfulness of forceable resisting the temporal Magistracy AGain as those who do truly minister from this divine Gift endeavour not to fill Peoples Ears and Minds with strange uncertain and fore-prepared Arguments Loud Discourses Dark Suggestions Logical Terms Philosophical Notions and Conceptions about Divine and Spiritual matters Neither do they endeavour to force or enjoyn People to receive them and their Testimony whether they will or no but in all Christian Meekness Plainness Gentleness Forbearance and Sincerity they declare and hold forth the Truth of God as they have received it and do recommend their Testimony unto every mans Conscience in the sight of God 2 Cor. 4.2 which thing is agreeable to the practice of Jesus Christ his Apostles and Servants in the Primitive times We see with what plainness in Speech and familiar Similies and Parables our Lord did express himself to the People as appears in the writings of the Evangelists and how tenderly he invited People to come unto him and learn of him that was meek and low in Heart Mat. 11.28 29. promising they should find rest unto their Souls yea and when the Jews notwithstanding his great inclination to gather them did continue in hardness and rebellion against him and his heavenly Message yet he Wept over them as we read Luke 19.41 42. And when he was come near he beheld the City and Wept over it saying if thou hadst known even thou at the least in this thy day the things which belong unto thy Peace but now they are hid from thy Eyes And yet as a further demonstration of the Love Meekness and Gentleness of his Spirit we have an account that when something of sharpness appeared in some of his Disciples against those Samaritanes who received them not we may perceive how suddenly he rebuked them saying Ye know not what manner of Spirit ye are of Luke 9.54 55 56. for the Son of Man is not come to destroy Mens Lifes but to save them It is also further manifest in the Scriptures that the Apostles and Servants of Christ did all along proceed upon Truth 's account in much plainness of Speech Gentleness Humility Self-denial and Christian Forbearance towards all People The which said Practice of theirs upon these accounts may sufficiently serve for a Confutation unto such as will needs pretend to the Christian Faith and to be Ministers Servants and Followers of Christ and are strangely Leavened and Infected with many Peevish Proud Stingy Insolent Covetous Unmortified Persecuting and Naughty Humors and Practices no way agreeable to the nature and tendency of the Gospel of Peace nor to that pure holy and undefiled Religion which was Instituted by our Lord and Practiced by his Disciples and Followers As outward Force Severity and Compulsion in Religious matters does no way seem to be consistent with Christianity so neither do we find any Precept or President for it in the writings of the New Testament That which some would alledge in vindication thereof is the saying of the Lord Jesus Luke 14.23 Go out into the High-Ways and Hedges and compel them to come in that my House may be filled But if this saying of his be rightly considered and compared with other Texts of Scripture there will no such thing appear as that he intended to propagate the Gospel of Peace by outward Force and Severity as for the words Compel and Constrain they are much what Synonymous and do not always import outward Force Violence or Compulsion but many times in the Scriptures friendly Invitations kind Intreaties undeniable and demonstrable Reasons and gentle Perswasions which are most agreeable to the meekness and gentleness of that Spirit by which the true Ministers and Servants of Christ have been are and ought to be acted in all their proceedings upon the Truths account We read that when Jesus appeared unto those two Disciples that were going to Emmaus When they drew nigh to the Village he made as though he would have gone further but they constrained him and he went in to tarry with them There is no question but this constraint was by fair meanes even by a kind entreaty as the Text expresseth Abide with Vs and reason was also urged for it because it was towards Evening and the Day was far spent Luke 24.28 29. Again it s said Jesus constrained his Disciples to get into a Ship Mat. 14.22 And we read that when Lydia's Heart was opened she constrained Paul and his Company to come into her House and abide there Acts 16.15 Also the Apostle Paul in his Speech to Peter says Why compellest thou the Gentiles to Live as do the Jews Gal. 2.14 All which said Expressions concerning Compulsion or Constraint do no way seem to hold out any thing of outward Force Violence or Severity But rather earnest Intreaty kind gentle or strong Perswasions of Reason Love c. And yet further if we consider the nature and tendency of that Discourse wherein the word Compel is made use of Luke 14.23 there will no such thing appear as that any outward Force or Violence was intened by that Expression the Parable is of a certain man that made a Supper and bad many Guests they urge excuses and come not the Master of the House being angry bids his Servant go out into the Streets and Lanes of the City and bring in the Poor the Maimed the Halt and the Blind that being done and still room for more the Master sends again saying Go out into the High-Ways and Hedges and compel them to come in that my House may be filled Now consider if we take the Parable literally as it is what manner of Force or Compulsion was either needful or proper to be used to such Persons as are
is abomination to the Lord Prov. 15.8 And again He that turneth his Ear from the Law even his Prayer shall be abomination Also the Lord by the Prophet Isaiah saith to the People of Israel that had forsaken the Lord and rebelled against his Spirit and so become a sinful Nation 〈◊〉 2 3.13 When ye spread forth your Hands I will hide mine Eyes from you yea when you make many Prayers I will not hear your Hands are full of Blood. Again we read John 9.31 We know that God heareth not Sinners but of any be a worshipper of God and doth his will him heareth And also 1. Pet. 3.12 The Eyes of the Lord are over the Righteous and his Ears are open to their Prayers but the Face of the Lord is against 〈◊〉 that do Evil. Thus it is plain that the Prayers and Sacrifices of Wicked and Sinful men have not been acceptable unto God which they remain'd in that state but rather an abomination unto him being not offered in sincerity of Heart nor under a right disposition of Soul and Spirit The Jews of old thought it sufficient for them if they did but pay their daily Sacrifices and offer their customary Oblations c. from thence concluding all was well but it prov'd not so for the Lord by the Prophet asks them To what purpose was the multitude of their Sacrifices and bids them bring no more vain Oblations Incense says he is an abomination unto me the new Moons and Sabbaths the calling of Assemblies is Iniquity even the solemn Meeting And again by the Prophet Amos he says Though you offer me Burnt Offerings and Meat Offerings I will not accept them neither will I regard the Peace Offerings of your fat Beasts And what was the reason of all this dislike Even because the People were Wicked and Sinful Therefore he says Wash ye make ye Clean put away the evil of your doings from before my Eyes cease to do Evil learn to do Well seek Judgment relieve the Oppressed judge the Fatherless and plead for the Widow And then no question but they might be accepted As it was with the Jews in that state so its probable the case may be with many of those call'd Christians now who think is sufficient for them to be present at the reading over of Morning and Evening Prayers c. according to the common Form and Custom and yet do not rightly consider that their Hearts are polluted and deiled with Sin and Iniquity which no question will block up their way from Divine acceptance as well as it did unto Israel of old As for Sin it is a thing that cannot be Christen'd neither will the Righteous God own it in any let their pretence be what it will. It has always been the cause of mans Wo and Misery and of his Separation from God in all Ages and it s the same now where People remain in it and continue Impenitent and in Rebellion against the Reproofs and Counsel of the Light and Spirit of Christ in themselves Your Iniquities saith the Prophet have separated between you and your God and your Sins have hid his Face from you that he will not hear Isa 59.2 They shall call upon me saith Wisdom but I will not answer they shall seek me early but they shall not find me Prov. 1.28 It is not simply the calling upon God or making mention of his blessed Name that gains acceptance with him or draws down his blessings upon men but it is a calling upon him in Faith and in a rightly ordered and well-disposed Mind and Spirit For unto this mâ—n will I look saith the Lord even to him 〈◊〉 is Poor and of a contrite Spirit and trembleth at my Word Isa 66.2 Again The Lord is nigh to all that call upon him in Truth he will fulfill the desire of them that fear him he also will hear their cry and will save them the Lord preserveth all them that Love him but the Wicked will he Destroy Psal 145 18 19 20. Howbeit still although the Prayers of Wicked and Sinfull Men whilst they remain in Impenitency and Rebellion against God are not acceptable unto him yet nevertheless such as are polluted with Sin and Iniquity and do come to be secretly touch awaken'd by the Light and Spirit of Christ and are bowed down under the sence of their own Sinfulness unworthiness Misery Weakness for Inability such looking up to God and inwardly breathing forth secret Desires and Aspirations or uttering Words in Prayer and Supplication unto him for help and deliverance from under the bondage of Sin and Corruption the Lord God in his own due time will undoubtedly hear and answer the desires of such But still this does no way admit that wicked and ungodly men are capable of praying acceptably any otherwise then as they are toucht awakened and helpt by the Spirit of Christ and being truly bowed down under the sence of God goodness and their own unworthness are led to Repentance and so by the grace of God are drawn to supplicate his Name for Help and Deliverance We read that when the Apostle Peter exhorted Simon the Sorcerer unto Prayer hâ—â— places Repentance before it saying Repent therefore of this thy wickedness and pray God if perhaps the thought of thy Heart may be forgiven thee Acts 8.22 Again Repent ye therefore and be Converted that your Sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord Acts 3.19 From whence it is observable That as Repentance doth go before Prayer so also doth Repentance and Conversion go before blotting out of Sin. Now as to the Prayers of those who are high and lofty in Mind and Spirit and take delight in Sin and Ungodliness and to spend their precious time in Vanity Folly and Madness and also of those who may seem outwardly to be more demure yet spiritually rest in the gall of Bitterness against the Truth and in the bond of Iniquity there may seem to be little defference of their Devotions in the ground as to Divine acceptance so long as both sorts of People remain in Impenitency for the first can turn out of their vain Conversation or however suspend the outward act thereof for a little season and the other their worldly Discourse and so fall to repeat some few words of Prayer in a formal and customary way and immediately again even as soon as ever the words to God are out of their Mouths without any true regard to the Greatness and Majesty of him to whom they have even been making Supplication they 'l fall on again upon their former Discourse and many times as hath been observ'd upon Vain Idle and Prophane Talk so that without any distinction or waiting for divine help to perform their Duties to God they appear to be acted by one and the same Spirit upon both accounts Certainly If there be any such thing as vain Oblations and Prayers that God regardeth not
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