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SIthence ye haue mentioned the Word and myste∣ries, and our actions about them are workes which belong to Gods worship; declare wherein the godly doe differ from other men, in their worke of hearing and partaking in the Word and Sacrament: for all sorts of men doe these workes, euen that Fox Herod will heare Iohn, and the Pharises came to heare Christ,
and Iudas was at the Passcouer, and 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 de∣sired baptisme: what is it that discerneth one from a∣nother in these common duties?
Sincerity and soundnesse (called truth in Scripture) discerneth worke from worke, and duty from duty. The hypocrite and wicked euen for their hearing the Word, and being partakers of the Sacra∣ments, because they lacked vprightnesse in the doing, seeking not God, but themselues; therefore they shall for them heare at the last day, Ye workers of iniquity, de∣part from me; Mat. 7. 23. For this shall be saide to such which did prophecie, cast out diuels, and doe great workes in Christ his name, because their outward workes were voide of inward sincerity. And this is a thing worthy to be marked, that euen a good worke* 1.1 done of an euill man, with an euill and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 heart, vp∣pon pretence and shew of seruing and pleasing God, when in truth no such thing is meant, but the pleasing* 1.2 of himselfe, or some other carnall respect leades him, it doth become a worke of iniquity. Howbeit, besides vprightnesse, there are to be found sundry things in godly men doing these workes, which are not to bee found in the vngodly and hypocrites. As first, that the godly when they heare or partake in the mysteries, they vse great and serious preparation before, by reli∣gious meditations of their owne wants and vnworthi∣nesse* 1.3 on the one side, bethinking how little they de∣serue* 1.4 such mercifull helpes, and yet how great neede they haue of them; and on the other side, of the aweful 〈◊〉〈◊〉 before whom they must appeare, and of the gracious promises which hee hath made to his owne ordinances, with earnest prayer to be enabled to doe
their publike seruice in faith and godly reuerence, with singlenesse of heart, as in Gods presence, and before his face. Secondly, in the time of those solemne acti∣ons, remembring themselues to be vnder the eye of God, occupied in his seruice, and about their owne sal∣uation, they demeane themselues accordingly, being full of most holy and heauenly motions, sutable to that worke they haue in hand. Lastly, after their being in the Assemblies, they labour to reape great fruite by the vse of the meanes for the encrease of their faith and obedience; that as they bring with them vnto the Ministery of the Word an honest and good heart, tru∣ly* 1.5 & fully resolued according to the measure of grace receiued to beleeue and obey God, hungring and thir∣sting* 1.6 after his graces offered, and louing his Word and Sacraments as his blessed Ordinances, and their owne soules nourishment: so after the participation of the Word and mysteries, they perceiue and feele by experience their strength against sinne and Sathan much encreased, and their soules refreshed somewhat in all the graces of the new man, euen as the strength and powers of their bodies are cheered and reuiued* 1.7 after a moderate wholsome bodily repast. This sence and experience engendreth in them hearty thankeful∣nesse vnto God their Father, for blessing vnto their good his own holy institutions, which for their sinnes he might haue turned into a curse; and withall, it pro∣uoketh them to attend and waite with reuerence, loue, and hope of more fruites vpon the sacred Ordinances of God, making great conscience of sanctifying the Lords Sabbath, in the religious and godly vse thereof. Thus it is ordinarily with Gods Children, when they
partake in the Word and mysteries; and if they happen to faile of these duties, either for substance or degree, they are very sorry, and flye to Gods mercy for par∣don, and become more heedfull afterwards.
Note this.
When ones minde is vn∣cleane, it de∣files his best workes.
Eccle. 4. verse last.
Exod. 19.
Luke 11. 15.
Mat. 5. 6.
Simile.