§. Sect. 4 Duties to be performed when we are going to the Church.
After all which duties performed in the family, we are, when we are rea∣dy to goe vnto the Church, or when wee are in the way, to spend that time in holy Meditations, thinking with our selues that we are going, not vpon some slight or ordinary businesse, but to present our selues in the glorious presence of the great King of heauen and earth, who being in∣finite in all holinesse and perfection, and a God of such pure and piercing eyes, that he seeth not onely our outward actions, but searcheth the heart and reines, hateth and abhorreth all impurity and corruption, dissimula∣tion and hypocrisie, all cold, formall and negligent seruice, and will bee worshipped of vs in spirit and truth. Let vs call to minde that we are go∣ing, not to conferre with our companions, or with mortal men, not much superiour vnto vs, but to speake and make our suits to Gods supreme and most glorious Maiesty, & to heare him speaking vnto vs by his Ambassa∣dours, in whose presence the heauens are vncleane, and the blessed Angels hide their faces. And that not about ordinary and slight matters, but such waighty and important businesse, as no lesse concerneth vs, then the eter∣nall saluation or damnation of our bodies and soules. Finally, that we are going about such affaires as will (according as we dispatch them) make vs much better or worse. For, the Word shall prosper, to the atchieuing of that end, for which God sends it, and shall neuer returne in vaine; either it will soften vs like wax, or harden vs like clay; either it will be Gods strong po∣wer to our saluation, and the sauour of life vnto life, or the sauour of death vnto death, for our deeper condemnation, and by performing this duty in hea∣ring of it, we shall be neerer heauen or hell. And hauing with these and such like meditations brought our selues to the place of diuine worship, let vs enter into it with all feare and reuerence, as into Gods owne House and place of his glorious presence; saying with Iacob, Surely the Lord is in this place; how dreadfull is this place? this is none other but the House of God, and this is the gate of heauen.