A Demonstration of Family Duties, Proposition 49
XLIX. PROPOSITION. Speciall care and regard ought …kewiſe to be had, that religious duties and ſervices be performed …y the people of God, both in an holy and ſpirituall manner, and …lſo in a due order, according to …he Lords owne direction and commandement.
PROOF. For ſo our bleſſed Saviour informed and taught the woman of Samaria. See John, 4.23. But the houre commeth and now is, when the true Worſhippers, ſhall worſhip the Father in ſpirit, and in trueth: for the Father ſeeketh ſuch to worſhip him. Yea and our Lord and Saviour Chriſt did thus approve himſelfe by walking according to Gods commandement. See John, 14.31. And as the Father gave me commandement, even ſo doe I.
I. REAS. Becauſe the Lord God, unto whom religious duties and ſervices ought to be tendred, is of a ſpirituall nature, and therefore muſt be ſerved ſpiritually, and in an holy manner, proportioned unto ſuch his incomprehenſible eſſence. See John, 4. verſ. 24. God is a Spirit, and they that worſhip him, muſt worſhip him in ſpirit, and in trueth. 2 Cor. 3.… The Lord is a Spirit, &c.
II. REAS. Becauſe God hath been w… ſeverely to puniſh ſuch as have beene n… gent and careleſſe to worſhip and ſerve … after the due order; as King David by occ… ſion acknowledgeth and maketh menti… 1 Chron. 15.13. The Lord our God made a b… upon us, for that we ſought him not after the … order. And this is alſo declared by the … poſtle Paul, touching ſome of the Chur… of Corinth, in regard of their comming … the Sacrament in an undue way, 1 Cor. 11.3… For this cauſe many are weake and ſickly am… you, and many ſleepe. See verſ. 27, 28, 29.
OBSERV. A holy and ſpirituall man… and due order of religious performances, … conſiſteth in ſuch qualifications and diſpo… tions as theſe following; viz.
I. Underſtanding, or diſtinct knowledg… in the religious ſervice in hand: 1 Cori… 14.14, 15. For if I pray in an unknowne tong… my ſpirit prayeth, but my underſtanding is … fruitfull. What is it then? I will pray with th… ſpirit, and will pray with underſtanding alſo: … will ſing with the ſpirit, and will ſing with the underſtanding alſo.
II. Conſcience of God, to ſway unto, and in every religious duty; as may be gathered from the Lords expoſtulation, Zach. 7.5. When ye faſted and mourned in the …ft and ſeventh monethmonth, even thoſe ſeventy yeeres, …d yee at all faſt unto me, even to me?
III. Sincerity, or trueth in performing …hereof. See Joſh. 24.14. Feare the Lord, and …rve him in ſincerity and trueth.
IV. Faith on God through Chriſt. See Mark. 11.24. Whatſoever things ye deſire, when …e pray, beleeve that yee receive, &c. See alſo Hebr. 11.6.
V. Hope, or waiting for the accompliſhment of the promiſes. Pſal. 130.5. I waite …or the Lord, my ſoule doeth waite, and in his word …oe I hope.
VI. Willingneſſe, or cheerfulneſſe in the ſervice. See what is particularly ſaid touching works of charity, as being generally …ppliable in the caſe in hand; 2 Corinth. 9.7. Every man according as he purpoſeth in his heart, ſo let him give, not grudgingly, or of neceſſity: for God loveth a cheerfull giver. See likewiſe, Deut. 28.47.
VII. Reverence, and godly feare, or …rembling. See Hebr. 12.28. Let us have grace whereby we may ſerve God acceptably, with reverence, and godly feare. See alſo Pſal. 2.11.
VIII. Humility; 1 Pet. 5.5. Beclothed with humility, for God reſiſteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
IX. Contrition of heart; Pſal. 51.17. The ſacrifices of God, are a broken ſpirit: a broke… a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not de… See alſo Pſal. 34.18.
X. Poverty of ſpirit; Iſaiah, 66.2. … this man will I looke, even to him that is poo… … See alſo Math. 5.3.
XI. Senſe of ſpirituall wants & weak… … with a deſire of ſupply; Math. 5. verſ. 6. … ſed are they which doe hunger and thirſt aft… … teouſneſſe, &c. See alſo Iſa. 55.1, 2.
XII. Godly ſorrow; 2 Corinth. 7.9. … were made ſorie after a godly manner. See … Math. 5.4.
XIII. Selfe accuſing; Pſal. 51.3. I ack… ledge my tranſgreſſion. See alſo Prov. 28.13.
XIV. Selfe judging; 1 Corinth. 11.31. … we would judge ourſelves, we ſhould not be jud… See alſo Gen. 32.10.
XV. Fervency of ſpirit, or holy ze… … Rom. 12.11. Not ſlothfull in buſineſſe, fe… in ſpirit, ſerving the Lord. See alſo Galat. 4…
XVI. Perſeverance, and patient conſta… Epheſ. 6.18. Praying alwaies with all pr… and ſupplication in the ſpirit, and watching th… unto with all perſeverance, &c. See alſo Co… 4. verſ. 2.
XVII. Love of God; Exod. 20.6. … ſhewing mercy to thouſands of them that lou… … and keepe my commandements. See alſo De… … 7. verſ. 9.
XVIII. Love of Neighbour; 1 Corinth. …3.1. Though I ſpeake with the tongues of men and … Angels, & have not charity, I am become as ſoun…ing braſſe, or a tinckling cimball. See alſo Epheſ. 5.2.
XIX. An honeſt and good heart, purified from bad qualities; Luk. 8.15. They which in …n honeſt and good heart having heard the word, keepe it, &c. See alſo 1 Pet. 2.1, 2.
XX. In the Name of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; Coloſſ. 3.17. Whatſoever yee doe in …ord or deed, doe all in the Name of the Lord Jeſus, &c. See alſo Epheſ. 5.20.