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Concerning Worship.
Question, VVHat is the Worship that is acceptible to God?
A. But the Hour cometh, and now is, when the True VVorshippers shall worship the Fa∣ther in Spirit and in Truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spi∣rit, and they that worship him, must wor∣ship
him in Spirit and in Truth, Joh. 4. 23. 24.
Q. Seeing Prayer is a Part of Worship, when ought we to pray?
A. And he spake a Parable unto them to this End, That Men ought alwayes to pray, and not to fai••t, Luke 18. 1.
Pray without ceasing, 1 Thes. 5. 17.
Q. Doth God hear the Prayers of all that call upon him?
A. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in Truth, Psal. 145. 18.
For there is no Difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him, Rom. 10. 12.
Q. Hath God no respect to the Manner of Calling upon him?
A. The Lord is nigh to all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in Truth, Psal. 145. 18.
The Lord is far from the Wicked; but he heareth the Prayer of the Righteous, Prov. 15. 29.
Now we know, that God heareth not▪ Sinners; but if any Man be a Worshipper of God, and doth his Will, him he heareth, John 9. 31.
And this is the Confidence that we have in him. that if we ask any Thing, according to his VVill, he heareth us, 1 Joh. 5. 14.
Q. After whae Manner doth the Apostle then declare he will Pray?
A. What is it then? I will pray with the Spirit, and I will pray with the Understan∣ding also: I will sing with the Spirit, and I will sing with the Understanding also, 1 Cor. 14. 15.
Q. Must we then pray alwayes in the Spi∣rit?
A. Praying alwayes, with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit, and VVatching thereunto with all Perseverance and Supplica∣tion for all Saints, Ephes. 6. 18.
Q. Since we are commanded to pray alwayes in it, can we do it of our selves without the Help thereof?
A. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our In∣firmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit it self maketh Intercession for us with Groanings, which cannot be uttered. And he that search∣eth the Hearts, knoweth what is the Mind of the Spirit, because he maketh Intercession for the Saints, according to the Will of God, Rom. 8. 26, 27.
Q. I perceive, that without the Leadings and
Help of the Spirit, Prayers are altogether un∣profitable; may not a Man truly utter these Things that are Spiritual, without the Spirit's Assistance?
A. VVherefore I give you to understand, that no Man speaking by the Spirit of God, calleth Jesus Accursed; and that no Man can say, that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost, 1 Cor. 12. 3.
Q. That is strange: It seems the Spirit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 much more necessary then many called Christi∣stians suppose it to be; some of which can scarce give a good Account, whether they have it, or want it: But if a Man speak Things true upon the Matter, are they not true as from him, if spoaken without the Spirit?
A. And though they say, The Lord liveth, surely they swear falsly, Jer. 5. 2.
Q. It is apparent from all these Scriptures, that the true Worship of God is in Spirit; and as it is not limitted to a certain Place, neither to any certain Time, what shall we think of them that plead for the Observation of certain Dayes?
A. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather, are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly Ele∣ments, whereunto ye desire again to be i•• Bondage: Ye observe Dayes, and Months, and Times, and Years; I am afraid of you, lest
I have bestowed upon you Labour in vain, Gal. 4. 9, 10, 11.
Let no Man therefore judge you in Meat or Drink, or in respect of an Holy Day, or of the New Moon, or of the Sabbath Day, which are a Shadow of Things to come; but the Body is of Christ, Col. 2. 16, 17.
Q. Seeing it is so, may not some Christians, as lawfully esteem all Dayes alike, as others may esteem some Dayes above another? What Rule giveth the Apostle in this Case?
A. One Man esteemeth one Day above another, another esteemeth every Day alike; let every Man be fully perswaded in his own Mind: He that regardeth a Day, regardeth it unto the the Lord; and he that rega••deth not the Day unto the Lord, he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord; for he gi∣veth God Thanks; and he that eateth not to the Lord, he eateth not, and giveth God Thanks, Rom. 14. 5, 6.
Q. But is it not convenient and necessary that there be a Day set apart to Meet and Wor∣ship God in? Did not the Apostles a••d Primitive Christians use to meet upon the First Day of the Week, to make their Collections, and to Worship?
A. Now, concerning the Collection for the Saints, as I have given Order to the
Churches of Galatia, even so do ye upon the First Day of the Week: Let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prosper'd him, that there be no Gatherings when I come, 1 Cor. 16. 1.