Lectures upon the vvhole Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians, deliuered in St. Peters Church in Oxford: by the reuerend and faithfull seruant of Christ Henry Airay ... and now published for the vse of Gods Church by C.P. ...

About this Item

Title
Lectures upon the vvhole Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians, deliuered in St. Peters Church in Oxford: by the reuerend and faithfull seruant of Christ Henry Airay ... and now published for the vse of Gods Church by C.P. ...
Author
Airay, Henry, 1560?-1616.
Publication
London :: Printed by Edw: Griffin [and Richard Field] for William Bladen, and are to be sold at his shoppe in Pauls Church-yard at the signe of the Bible neere the great north doore,
1618.
Rights/Permissions

To the extent possible under law, the Text Creation Partnership has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above, according to the terms of the CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). This waiver does not extend to any page images or other supplementary files associated with this work, which may be protected by copyright or other license restrictions. Please go to http://www.textcreationpartnership.org/ for more information.

Subject terms
Bible -- N.T -- Philippians -- Commentaries.
Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/a14185.0001.001
Cite this Item
"Lectures upon the vvhole Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians, deliuered in St. Peters Church in Oxford: by the reuerend and faithfull seruant of Christ Henry Airay ... and now published for the vse of Gods Church by C.P. ..." In the digital collection Early English Books Online 2. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/a14185.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 19, 2024.

Pages

LECTƲRE LI.
PHILIP. 3. Vers. 3.
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and reioyce in Christ Iesus, and haue no confidence in the flesh.

IF now againe yee aske mee whether Cir∣cumcision be quite and vtterly so aboli∣shed as that nothing thereof remaineth? I answer that the circumcision of the flesh is quite and vtterly abolished, so that since faith came, that is, since we began to be∣leeue in Christ manifested in the flesh, iu∣stified in the spirit, and receiued vp into glory, nothing at all of that ceremonie remaineth. But euen then when the cere∣monie was in vse, both this and likewise all other ceremonies of the law had besides the ceremonie a morall vse and signifi∣cation vnto that people of the Iewes, which was farre and in∣comparably more accepted with God then was the ceremonie it selfe whatsoeuer it was. This we may plainely see and per∣ceiue by those manifold increpations so often vsed in the wri∣tings of the Prophets, when obseruing the ceremonie com∣manded, the Iewes neglected that morall vse thereof which they should especially haue regarded.* 1.1 I am full (saith the Lord) of the burnt offering of rammes, and of the fat of fed beasts; and I desire not the bloud of bullockes, nor of lambes, nor of goates. Bring no mo oblations in vaine,* 1.2 incense is an abomination to me &c. Againe,* 1.3 in another place he saith, I hate and abhorre your feast daies, and I will not smell in your solemne assemblies: though yee

Page 605

offer me burnt offerings, and meat offerings I will not accept them, neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.* 1.4 What then? Did not the Lord desire the bloud of bullockes, nor of lambes, nor of goates? Did he not regard burnt offerings, peace offerings, and meat offerings? Were the sabboths, and new moones, and feast daies such things as in which he tooke no pleasure at all? No doubt but the Lord had commanded all these things whereof the Prophets here speake, in his law giuen by the hand of Moses, as might easily be proued out of the bookes of Numbers, and Leuiticus. And this was it that the hypocriticall Iewes stood vpon with the Prophets, saying, that they kept the law of God duely because they obserued the outward ceremonies & sacrifices commanded in the law. But this was that that the Lord by his Prophets reproued in them, that they neglected that morall vse of those things which they should principally haue regarded. They staied themselues in the outward worship of God, and looked not vnto the inward worship of him; they obserued the naked ce∣remonie, but they regarded not mercy and iudgement, piety and obedience, faith and repentance. These things they should haue done, and not haue left the other vndone. The ceremonie should not haue beene neglected by them, but that inward and more holy worship wherevnto by the ceremonie they were led should haue been principally regarded by them. For in this the Lord had more pleasure then in all burnt offe∣rings and sacrifices what soeuer: as it iS sayd,* 1.5 to obey is better then sacrifice, and to hearken is better then the fat of Rams. And againe the Lord saith by his Prophet,* 1.6 I desired mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more then burnt offerings. Thus then it is plaine, both that the outward ceremonies had a mo∣rall and more spirituall vse, and likewise that this was more ac∣cepted with God, euen then when the ceremonie was in vse, then was the ceremonie though commanded.

Now as it was in other ceremonies of the law, so was it in this circumcision of the flesh, that it had a morall vse and sig∣nification, the regard whereof was farre more accepted with God then was the obseruation of the ceremonie it selfe. The morall vse and signification thereof was, to put them in minde

Page 606

of the circumcision of the heart, that thence they might purge all wicked and carnall affections, such as any way were like to crosse and hinder their spirituall seruice and worship of God. And as in other ceremonies, when the ceremonie was aboli∣shed yet the morall vse thereof still remained, so likewise in this, when the outward circumcision of the flesh was aboli∣shed, yet the inward circumcision of the heart which was mo∣rally signified by the outward ceremonie still remained; so that as they then were, so still wee are to circumcise the fore-skinnes of our hearts, by cutting away from thence all carnall affections, and vngodly lusts which fight against the soule. And this was that circumcision wherein our Apostle gloried, when he said, we are the circumcision.

Hence then 3. I obserue what that circumcision is which yet remaineth, and wherein we may and ought to glorie and reioice. The circumcision which yet remaineth, if yee will haue it in one word, is our regeneration, the washing of the new birth,* 1.7 and the renuing of the holy Ghost, as the Apostle speakes. If ye would haue a larger description of it, it is, as this place of our Apostle maketh manifest, a cutting away from the heart of all carnall affections, whereby wee might be hindred in the spirituall seruice of God, and in our reioycing in Christ Iesus, so that being thus circumcised wee worship God in the spirit, and reioice in Christ Iesus, and haue no confidence in the flesh, or in any outward thing whatsoeuer. This is most commonly called the circumcision of the heart; both by Mo∣ses where he saith,* 1.8 Circumcise the fore skinne of your heart, and harden your neckes no more. And by the Prophet Ieremie, where he saith vnto the men of Iudah, and Inhabitants of Ierusalem, Be circumcised to the Lord,* 1.9 and take away the foreskinnes of your hearts: And by our Apostle Paul where he saith, that the cir∣cumcision is of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter. Neither is it called circumcision of the heart by way of exclusion of cir∣cumcision from other parts of man. For there is also menti∣on of the circumcision of the eares,* 1.10 as where Steuen saith, Yee stifnecked and of vncircumcised hearts, and eares, i. which will not heare when God speakes vnto you: and also of the cir∣cumcision of the lippes, as where Moses said vnto the Lord,

Page 607

Behold I am of vncircumcised lippes;* 1.11 i. I am not abl to speake vnto Pharaoh, being barbarous and rude in speech. There is then not onely circumcision of the heart in the will and vn∣derstanding, when all carnall affections are purged thence, but there is also circumcision of the lippes, when our speech is such as that it ministers grace vnto the hearers; and also cir∣cumcision of the eares, when wee open our eares vnto the Lord speaking vnto vs, and willingly and euen greedly har∣ken after those things which belong vnto our peace. But yet commonly I thinke both these are comprehended in the cir∣cumcision of the heart, so that by the circumcision of the heart, the circumcision of the eares, and of the lippes likewise is vnderstood. It is called also spirituall circumcision, because it is made without hands, by the spirit of almightie God,* 1.12 as witnesseth Moses, where he saith, the Lord thy God will circum∣cise thine heart, and the heart of thy seede, that thou maiest loue the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soule, that thou maist liue. Whereupon the Apostle saith,* 1.13 that the praise of it is not of men, but of God. It is called also by the Apostle, the circumcision of Christ, because made by the spirit of Christ, which doth illuminate our vuderstanding, renue our will,* 1.14 san∣ctifie our affections, and worke in vs all holy desires to die vn∣to sinne, and to liue vnto God in righteousnesse and true ho∣linesse. This circumcision then of Christ, this circumcision of the heart, this spirituall circumcision which is made without hands by the finger of the spirit, illuminating our vnderstan∣dings, renuing our wills, purging our carnall affections, cru∣cifying in vs the old man, and quickning vs in our inner man, in the spirit of our minde, this is the true circumcision, and this is that circumcision wherewith the Apostle reioyced that he was circumcised, and vnlesse wee be circumcised with this circumcision we haue no cause of reioicing. For that which the Apostle saith of carnall circumcision,* 1.15 If ye be circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing, is quite otherwise in this spiritu¦all circumcision. For vnlesse wee be thus circumcised Christ shall profit vs nothing; according to that of our Sauiour,* 1.16 Ex∣cept a man be borne of water and of the spirit, hee cannot enter into the kingdome of God: Except a man be borne of water and of

Page 608

the spirit, i. vnlesse he be borne againe by the spirit, vnlesse he be circumcised with the circumcision of Christ by putting off the sinfull body of the flesh, and becomming a new creature, he cannot enter into the kingdome of God, he hath no por∣tion among the sonnes of God. So that that holdeth still, if we be not circumcised we belong not to the couenant. But if we be circumcised with this circumcision of Christ, then may we reioice, knowing that we are the sonnes of God, and par∣takers of the couenant of promise. Then looke what was the preferment of the Iew aboue all other people, that is our pre∣ferment aboue the sonnes of men, and looke what was the profit of circumcision vnto the Iewe, that and more is the profit of circumcision vnto vs. For thus we are the circumci∣sion, and not they, we are that peculiar people of the Iewes, and not they,* 1.17 inasmuch as now he is not a Iew which is one out∣ward, neither now is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh, but he is a Iew which is one within, and the circumcision is of the heart in the spirit, not in the letter, whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Let this, men and brethren, teach vs to descend into our selues and see whether we bee circumcised or vncircumcised, whether we can with the Apostle truely say, that wee are the circumcision, that we are circumcised with the true circumcision. Do we worship the Lord in the spirit with holy worshippe not af∣ter the foolish fancies of mans braine? Do we reioyce in Christ Iesus as in the horne of our saluation, and renounce all confi∣dence in all outward things whatsoeuer? Are our vnderstan∣dings instructed in the things which are spiritually discerned? Are our affections enclined to the rule of Gods spirit? Are our desires bent to the things that belong vnto our peace? Are we purged from all carnall affections, and vngodly desires? Are our lippes faine when we sing vnto our God? and are our tongues glad when we talke of his righteousnesse and saluati∣on? Doe we refraine our feete from euery euill path? and doe we giue our members as weapons of righteousnesse vnto God to serue him in righteousnesse and in holinesse? If the spirit do witnesse those things vnto our spirits, then let vs know that we are circumcised with the true circumcision, so that wee may

Page 609

say with the Apostle, We are the circumcision. For this is the worke of the spirit thus to consecrate vs to his holy worship, thus to settle our reioycing on Christ Iesus, and on him alone, thus to teach vs his will, thus to sanctifie our desires, thus to purge and cleanse vs from inordinate affections, thus to make vs vessells holy vnto the Lord, and thus to guide our feete in to the way of peace. And working thus in vs he doth circum∣cise vs with circumcision made without hands making vs ne creatures. But if we worshippe the Lord, so that we bowe both to him and Baal, if we trust to be saued by our workes, or by any thing but onely by Christ Iesus, and faith in his bloud, if the Gospell be yet hid vnto vs so that we cannot sauour or per¦ceiue the things of the spirit of God, if our affections be so in∣ordinate as that we be full of striefe, enuie, hatred, malice, wrath, contentions, backbitings, whispering, swelling, and discorde, if our desires be so vnbridled as that we runne whol∣ly after the pleasures of the flesh, and neuer minde the things of the spirit; if as yet we will bee euery one more loth then o∣ther to talke of matters of religion, of things belonging to our saluation, of the mercies of God in Christ Iesus, and the like; but will straine no curtesie at all to talke filthily, and vn∣cleanly, and vnseemly, and scoffingly, and irreligiously, if as yet either we will not open our eares to heare the voice of the charmer charme hee neuer so wisely, or else will grinne and gnash our teeth at him that shall roundly knocke at the doore of our hearts to rowse vs out of the dead sleepe of sinne whereinto we are fallen; if I say things stand thus with vs, are we not of vncircumcised hearts, and lippes, and eares? yes my brethren if it be thus whatsoeuer we say, or what shew soeuer we make, yet are we of vncircumcised hearts, lips, and eares. For therefore is our vnderstanding full of darknesse, our will and desires peruerse and crooked, and our affections inordi∣nate, because the Lord by his spirit hath not circumcised our hearts; therefore are our mouthes filled not with talke of such things as belong vnto our peace, but with corrupt communi¦cation, and iesting, and taunting, and profane talking, because the Lord by his spirit hath not circumcised our lippes; and therefore are our eares open vnto euery wicked profanation

Page 610

of Gods name, and euery bad suggestion of our neighbours, rather then vnto the word of our saluation, because the Lord by his spirit hath not circumcised our eares. In one word, are we and walke we as children of disobedience? it is because the Lord hath not yet regenerated vs by his holy spirit, because we yet are not circumcised with the circumcision of Christ. Let euery man therefore descend into his owne heart, and as he doth finde himselfe, by thus searching his heart, and his reynes to be circumcised, or vncircumcised, so let him thinke himselfe to be receiued into the couenant, or yet to be a stran∣ger from the couenant of promise. And hee that is circum∣cised, let him not gather his vncircumcision: i. as now I ex∣pound it, let him not defile himselfe with the corruptions which are in the world through lust, but hauing escaped from the filthinesse of the world, let him giue his members seruants vnto righteousnesse in holinesse, and worship the Lord with holy worship. But he that hath walked either 40 or 4. yeeres in the wildernesse of this life, and is not yet circumcised, let him know that euen that person that is not circumcised, that man that is not regenerated by the Lord his spirit, euen hee shall be cut off from the Lord his people, and shall haue none inheritance among the Saints of God. Vnto such therefore I say as the Lord by his Prophet saith to the men of Iudah, and to Ierusalem,* 1.18 breake vp the fallow ground of your hearts, and some not among the thornes: be circumcised to the Lord, and take away the fore-skins of your hearts, least the Lord his wrath come foorth like fire, and burne that none can quench it, because of the wicked∣nesse of your inuentions: And with the Prophet Hosea, I say far∣ther,* 1.19 sow to your selues in righteousnesse, reape after the measure of mercie, breake vp your fallow ground: for it is time to seeke the Lord till he come and raine righteousnesse vpon you. Weede out al impiety and wicked affections from your hearts, put off the sinnefull body of the flesh,* 1.20 and be renued in the spirit of your mindes. For this I say vnto you that flesh and bloud cannot inherit the kingdome of God. Blessed and holy is he that hath his part in the first resur∣rection, i. by the power of God his spirit regenerating him, riseth from sinne wherein he was dead vnto newnesse and ho¦linesse of life: for on such the second death hath no power.

Page 611

And let this suffice to be spoken touching both the carnall, and likewise the spirituall circumcision by occasion of these words, we are the circumcision. It followeth.

Which worshippe God in the spirit] By this and the rest that followes is described, as I told you who are circumcised with spirituall circumcision, euen they which worship God spiri∣tually &c. so that hauing spoken of spirituall circumcision we haue spoken in a generality both of this, and the rest that fol∣lowes. Yet it will not be amisse somewhat more particularly, yet as briefly as we can, to speake by occasion of these words of the spirituall worship of God. There is no people so farre without God in this world, Iewe, or Gentile, Turke, or other, but that both they know there is a God, and likewise thinke they worship him with true worshippe. But how a great many nations and languages should either know the true God, or truely worshippe him, it can scarce be imagined, seeing they want the holy word of life, where alone we both clearly know him, and likewise how to worship him. Nay how should not they most grossely erre touching the true worship of God, see∣ing where the word is there are so many errors touching the true and spirituall worship of God. Witnesse those manifold will-worshippes of God which men haue deuised vnto them∣selues, and for which they haue no warrant at all in the word: such as are forbidding of marriage, and forbidding of meates to some men at all times, and to all men at sometimes vnder pretence of holy religion, and deuout seruice of God. But for our instruction in this point, let vs hence obserue that not only in the spirit of our minde purified by the spirit to serue him in holinesse and in righteousnesse, but that if we will not erre in the performance of true and spirituall worshippe vnto our God, we must proceede by this rule of reioicing in Christ Iesus, inasmuch as by reioycing in Christ Iesus wee worshippe God spiritually. For what is there required in our spirituall worship of God which by our reioycing in Christ Iesus is not performed vnto him? Is it not our spirituall worship of God to loue him, to put our trust in him, to feare him, to pray vn∣to him, to obey him, and to glorifie him both in our bodies, and in our spirits? And are not all these things performed vn∣to

Page 612

him by our reioycing in Christ Iesus? We reioice in Christ Iesus, knowing that in him we are beloued: and therefore we loue God who we know doth loue vs in Christ Iesus. Againe, we reioice in Christ Iesus, knowing that in him all the promises of God are yea, and Amen; and therefore we belieue in God & put our trust in his name who we know for his sake maketh good all his promises vnto vs. Againe we reioice in Christ Ie∣sus, knowing that by him an atonement and reconciliation is made betweene God and vs: and therfore we feare God whose wrath we know is now appeased towards vs by the mediation of Christ Iesus. Againe, wee reioice in Christ Iesus knowing that by him we may go boldly vnto the throne of grace: and therefore wee poure out our praiers vnto God who wee know giueth vs whatsoeuer wee aske by faith in his name. Againe, wee reioyce in Christ Iesus knowing that through Christ wee are able to doe all things: and therefore wee obey God who wee know strengtheneth vs in Christ to doe all things that hee requireth of vs. Againe, wee reioyce in Christ Ie∣sus knowing that hee is made of God vnto vs wisedome, and righteousnesse, and sanctification, and redemption: and therefore we glorifie GOD both in our bodies and in our spirits, who we know hath giuen vs his sonne, and together with him hath giuen vs all things also. So that through the reioycing which we haue in Christ Iesus we worship God spi∣ritually with all holy worship of loue, of faith, of feare, of praier, of obedience, and of glorifying his name both in our bodies and in our spirits. Yea and whosoeuer hath not this re∣ioycing in Christ Iesus it is impossible that he should worship God with this spirituall and holy worshippe. For how shall hee loue GOD that is not perswaded of the loue of God towards him in Christ Iesus? how shall hee belieue in God and put his trust in his name, that knoweth not that all his promises are yea and Amen, most certaine and sure in Christ Iesus? How shall hee feare God as a dutifull childe that as∣sures not himselfe of his reconciliation with God by the death and intercession of Christ Iesus? How shall hee pray vnto. God in faith that knows not that his praiers shall bee ac∣cepted and heard in Christ Iesus, that offereth our praiers vnto

Page 613

God, and makes continuall intercession for vs? How shall hee obey God in that which he commands that knowes nor that God in Christ Iesus doth enable him to doe that which hee commandeth? How shall hee glorifie God in his body, or in his spirit, that knowes not what great mercies God hath vouchsafed vnto vs through Christ Iesus? So that vnlesse wee can reioyce in Christ Iesus euen because wee know all these thinges wee cannot possiblie worshippe God with spi∣rituall worshippe.

Will you then, men and brethren, haue a direction for your spirituall worshipping of God? Surely it is needfull,* 1.21 for God is a spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth. Let this then be your direction: Reioyce in Christ Iesus; reioyce in him, because yee are beloued in him, and then surely yee will loue God who loues you in Christ Iesus. Reioyce in Christ, because in him all Gods pro∣mises are made good and performed vnto you, and then surely yee will beleeue in God, and put your trust in him, who keepeth promise, and suffereth not his truth to faile for euer. Reioyce in Christ, because by him yee haue receiued the at∣tonement, and then surely yee will feare God, whose wrath was appeased by the reconciliation of Christ Iesus. Reioyce in Christ, because through him your praiers are accepted and heard with God, and then surely ye will powre out your prai∣ers vnto God, who giues you whatsoeuer yee aske in faith in his name. Reioice in Christ, because in him ye are made able to doe all things, and then surely yee will obey God, who strengthneth you in Christ to doe all things. Reioice in Christ, because by him yee are redeemed, and saued, and by the power of his spirit sanctified, and then surely yee will glo∣rifie God both in your bodies, and in your spirits, who with Christ his Sonne giueth you all things both for this life pre∣sent, and likewise for that that is to come. So that there can∣not be a better direction for our spirituall worship of God, then to reioice in Christ Iesus, because by our reioicing which we haue in Christ Iesus wee are enflamed to loue God, to be∣leeue in him, to put our trust in him, to feare him, to pray vn∣to him to obey him, and to glorifie him both in our bodies

Page 614

and in our spirits, which is our spirituall worshipping of God. Whence it is also easie to ghesse why it is that wee faile so much in the spirituall worshipping of God, which is euen hence, because wee faile in our reioycing in Christ Iesus.

For our better instruction in which point of our reioycing in Christ Iesus, let vs in the next place hence obserue, that to reioice in Christ Iesus, is not onely to repose our whole trust and confidence in him, as in the horne of our saluation, to make our boast of him, and to tell of all the wondrous workes that hee hath done for vs with gladnesse, but withall to re∣nounce all confidence in the flesh, and in any outward thing whatsoeuer. For these are things which cannot stand toge∣ther, reioicing in Christ Iesus, and reposing our confidence in any outward thing whatsoeuer: for if we reioice in Christ Ie∣sus, then wee repose the whole confidence of our saluation, and euery part thereof vpon him, and him alone; and if wee repose our whole, or any part of the confidence of our salua∣tion on any outward thing, and not on Christ Iesus alone, then we doe not indeed reioice in Christ Iesus. This the Apo∣stle plainly sheweth,* 1.22 where he saith, that whosoeuer are iusti∣fied by the Law, they are fallen from grace; that is, whosoeuer seeke for their righteousnesse by the workes of the Law, or hope to be saued by them, they are fallen from grace, Christ profiteth them nothing. Let them looke vnto this, that trust vnto their merits, to be saued by them. Surely the conclusion from this place of our Apostle lieth very hard vpon them. For hence thus I gather: They that haue confidence of their sal∣uation by their merits, or by any outward thing whatsoeuer, and not only by Christ Iesus, they reioice not in Christ Iesus: They that reioice not in Christ Iesus, they worship not God in the spirit: They that worship not God in the spirit, they are not circumcised with the true and spirituall circumcision: Ergo, they that haue confidence of their saluation by their merits, they are not circumcised with the true and spirituall circumcision. Where in my iudgement the conclusion is as ineuitable as hard. If they answer that the Apostle maketh no mention of the merit of workes, and therefore nothing can hence be concluded against the merit of workes; I answer

Page 615

againe, that by the name of flesh in this place of our Apostle is vnderstood not only the circumcision of the flesh, or other ceremonies of the Law, but all the workes of the Law, all mans merits whatsoeuer, euen all outward things whatsoeuer. Which is plaine by the antithesis and opposition in this place betweene Christ and the flesh, and likewise by that that fol∣loweth in the Apostle. For first, where he saith, Wee reioyce in Christ Iesus, and haue no confidence in the flesh, in that he denieth that they haue any confidence in the flesh, what else is his meaning, but that they haue no confidence in any thing but only in Christ Iesus, so reioicing in him, as that they put their whole confidence in him. Againe, when he shewes afterwards what he meanes by the flesh, hee speaketh not only of the cir∣cumcision of the flesh, but of his tribe, of his stocke, of his re∣ligion, of his zeale; yea and lest hee should seeme to leaue out any thing without Christ wherein he had any confidence, hee speaketh expressely of all things without Christ, that for Christ he counteth all things losse. So that the conclusion (though most hard) will not be auoided, but that they that trust to be saued by their merits are not circumcised with the true and spirituall circumcision, but are as yet strangers from the couenant of promise, and haue no inheritance among the sonnes of God.

Let vs therefore, men and brethren, renounce all confi∣dence in any thing without Christ whatsoeuer, and let vs trust only in the merits of Christ Iesus. He alone is made of God vnto vs wisdome, and righteousnesse, and sanctification, and redemption: he hath purchased vs with his owne bloud: he is set for euer at the right hand of the throne of God to make intercession for vs; and through him alone we receiue all the blessing, that wee haue either for this life, or that that is to come. Let vs therefore reioice in him, and not in any thing without him. Hee that beleeueth in him, beleeueth in him that sent him; and hee that loueth him, loueth him that sent him; and hee that obeyeth him, obeyeth him that sent him; and he that glorifieth him, glorifieth him that sent him. Let vs therefore worship him with all holy worship, and so shall wee worship God in the spirit, and so shall we be able truly to

Page 616

say with the Apostle, We are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and reioice in Christ Iesus, and haue no confidence in the flesh.

Circumcise (O Lord) wee beseech thee the foreskinnes of our hearts with the finger of thy holy spirit, that we may wor∣ship thee in spirit and in truth, & that we may reioyce in thy Sonne Christ Iesus as in the horne of our saluation, renoun∣cing all confidence in any thing without him whatsoeuer. O Lord purge vs daily more and more from all inordinate affe∣ctions, and vnbridled desires, which any way may draw vs from thee, or hinder vs in thy seruice: renew in vs right spirits, that wee may worship thee, not after the fond deuices of our owne braine, but in spirit and in truth, after the rule of thy holy word; and so sanctifie vs with thy holy spirit, that aban∣doning all worldly confidence whatsoeuer, wee may wholly and only reioyce in thy Sonne Christ Iesus for euer.

Notes

Do you have questions about this content? Need to report a problem? Please contact us.