Lect. 116.
- We must labour to understand every thing we do in the service of God; this God requi∣red even under the law, in his ceremoniall worship, but much more, in his morall wor∣ship, specially now under the Gospell, pag. 583.
- 1 We can receive no good by the reading of the Word, unlesse we endeavour to under∣stand what we read, Ibid. 2 nor by our hea∣ring, 3 nor by the Sacraments, p. 584. 4 nor by prayers, 5 nor by our singing, 6 an oath may not be given to any, but such as are of understanding, Reason. For no service plea∣seth God, unlesse it be spirituall, and done with feeling, and affection, and that cannot be without knowledge, p. 585.
- 1 Every part of Gods worship is spirituall, and there is in it, somewhat to bee done by man, and somewhat by the Lord himselfe.
- 2 The Lord hath promised to accompany all his owne ordinances, and to worke with them.
- 3 All that man can doe in Gods worship, is nothing worth, unlesse God worke with him, p. 586.
- 4 Our chiefe care in every part of Gods worship, should be to finde that God is with us in it, p. 588.
- The true cause, why so little fruit appeares of the ministery of the Word, and other or∣dinances is because the Lord joynes not with us in them, and three causes there are of that, 1 the sins of the times, Ibid. 2 we do not our part, but serve God by halves, with the body onely, 3 because we rest too much upon the meanes, p. 589.