IN this Chapter you have an Holy Conference be­tween Christ and a Samaritan Woman, who at first entertains his Discourse with scoffs, but af­terwards began to be more seriously affected; and upon the occasion of his strange discovery of her secret Wickedness, she saith, ver. 19. Sir, I perceive thou art a Prophet: And hereupon makes her Address to him, and seeks Resolution from him in one of the great and weighty Cases of those Times.

It is a Christian's Duty especially to labour for satisfaction and establishment against the errors, and in the questions of the times they live in.

Ver. 20. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain, and you [Page 2]say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. She falls not into curious and unprofitable questions, in which she might have looked for satisfaction from a Pro­phet, about the length of her days, number of her children, condition of life; but about things of another nature.

Obs. That Soul which is under the influence of God's Grace, i [...] most inquisitive about Religious concernments. And it is one of the first steps and works of Grace to direct a man's thoughts and enquiries to these things. This is that which (at first conversion especially) most fills head and heart, Acts 16.30. Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And it is a sign of a desperate state, to be careless and contentedly ignorant in the concernments of the soul.

To proceed: Our Fathers (saith she) are of this opi­nion, and you of another: What sayest thou?

Differences in Religion should not make a man reject all Re­ligion, but search after the true Religion. So it doth here; so it doth in all other things. In Philosophy some say the Earth moves, others it stands still: It were now a strange kind of folly and pettishness, if a man should say he would believe neither; No, but this makes him search for the truth with greater diligence. The differences amongst Physicians do not make any discreet man reject all the Rules and Principles of his Art, nor would it have such an effect in Religion had not men an hatred of it.

Again: It is about the Worship of God that she en­quires.

Obs. A Gracious person is very solicitous and exact about the Worship of God.

An Hypocrite neither cares much to know, nor regards to do as he ought; so the work be done, he cares for no more.

A Gracious Person, 1. Is careful to know what worship [Page 3]will please God. 2. Conscientious to offer up such worship.

Again, Our Fathers.] The opinions and practises of our Fathers in the Worship of God, is no Rule to their Children. This hath been a common stumbling stone, though none more absurd and unreasonable. Men love to tread in their Fathers steps. The Indian hearing his Ancestors were in Hell, said then he would go thither. This was the [...] of the Jews, which led them into many miscarriages, Jer. 44.17. We will bake cakes to the Queen of Heaven— as we have done, we and our Fathers. The Pharisees were great Zealots for their [...], a vain conversation re­ceived—by tradition from your Fathers, 1 Pet. 1.18. And he that shall follow this ignis fatuus, must go to Popery, Samaritanism, Heathenism, Hell it self. The Prophet Jeremy, when he speaks of the conversion of the Gen­tiles, he tells you they shall relinquish the opinions of their Ancestors, Jer. 16.19.— The Gentiles shall come un­to thee— and shall say, Our Fathers inherited lyes. God himself gives a caution in this point, Ezek. 20.18. But I said unto their children—walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers. You are not to pin your faith upon your fa­ther's sleeve. Isaiah sends them to the Law and Testimony, not to Fathers, Isa. 8.20. Your fathers were men, Huma­num est errare. Forsake not Fountains for Cisterns. Not that you are to slight your Fathers; no, but to reverence them, yet to avoid extreams, neither to defie them, nor deifie them; neither to make them Cyphers, nor yet principal figures, to be followers of them as they are followers of Christ.

The Question was about the Place of Worship, whether in this Mount, and that was the Mount of Gertz [...]m, where the Samaritans Temple had stood for a long time, the Mount where her Ancestors used to worship God, and the [Page 4]Mount where Jacob had worshipped God, or in Jerusalem? This was her Question: To which he answers, ver. 21, 22, 23, 24.

His Answer refers, 1. To the place of worship.

2. The worship it self.

1. As to the place: The hour cometh when neither in this Mountain, nor yet in Jerusalem shall men worship the Father. All places shall be alike as to holiness, (though not as to conveniency for meeting together.) It is an Aphorism of some men, that time and place are circumstances of the same consideration in the worship of God: But that ap­pears plainly to be a mistake. Those are not equal and alike Circumstances in which God makes a difference: For time, the holiness of times, that continues, one day in seven, sanctified by Christ, observed by the Apostles, fol­lowed by all Ages. For place, you see here an abrogation; and there is no substitution of any place or places in the room of it, no Precept nor Example to that purpose in the New Testament.

2. As to the worship it self: He infers,

• 1. More Generally.
• 2. More Particularly.

1. Generally, Ye worship ye know not what, You follow an uncertain Rule, and not the Word of God; so that hereby are condemned those things which some men make the Rule of Worship, Custom of Ancestors, Light of Reason. We know what we worship, for Salvation is of the Jews. The way and doctrine of Salvation is revealed to them by the Author of Salvation: You grope in the dark.

2. Particularly, and so he expresseth what is the kind and quality of God's worship, q. d. The time is coming, when God's worship shall be neither your false and idola­trous worship, nor the Jews ceremonial and carnal wor­ship, but there shall be a more spiritual way of worship. [Page 5]And as v. 22. he gave the Jewish Worship the preceden­cy before the Samaritan; so here he prefers another kind of Worship before both: And as before he disclaimed both places of Worship, so here both those kinds of Wor­ship are rejected. In these words you may observe 2 parts.

1. A Doctrine concerning God's Worship asserted, v. 23. And amplified,

1. By the Subject of this worship, true worshippers.

2. The Object of it, the Father.

3. The manner of it, in spirit and truth.

4. The time of it, the hour cometh, and now is. And this Doctrine is repeated, v. 24. They that worship him, must worship him in spirit and truth.

II. The Reasons to enforce it, which are two.

1. A Voluntate Dei, From God's Will. The Father seeketh such to worship him.

2. A Naturâ Dei, From the Nature of God. God is a Spirit.

The hour cometh, and now is; It is at the doors, and that is the hour of Christ's Passion, of which you read, that his hour was not yet come: For that was the time when the Vail of the Temple was rent, and when the shadows were to vanish, and those carnal Sacrifices to expire, the substance being come, and the true Sacrifice offered.

When Christ spake, he was bound to the carnal wor­ship of the Jews, &c. but that was to be terminated in his death, when he abolished the Law of Commandments, Eph. 2.

But I will not spend more time in the opening of the words, I shall do that in the Doctrine: Only one thing needs opening; What is meant by in Spirit, and in Truth.

First, In Spirit is taken three ways in Scripture.

[Page 6]1. For an extraordinary motion of the Spirit, such as the Prophets had, Rev. 1.10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's-day, i. e. in an extatical motion and rapture of soul, whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell. But this is not meant here.

2. In spirit is opposed unto a bodily or carnal worship of God: But that is twofold.

The 1. respects the subject of worship, and that is op­posed unto those who worship God only with their bodies, whose hearts and souls do not concur with them, who draw nigh to God with their lips, when their hearts are far from him: Thus Rom. 1.9. God is my witness whom I serve in my Spirit. Neither is this intended in these words; for in this sense the Jews were to worship God in spirit before.

2. This therefore may respect the manner or means of worship, and thus in spirit is not opposed to our bodies, but to the body of worship, or to a bodily and carnal way of worship, called bodily exercise, 1 Tim. 4.8. Bodily ex­ercise profiteth little: And this is that which is here intend­ed, q d. The time was when the worship of God did consist, in a great measure, in external Rites and Cere­monies. It stood in meats and drinks and divers washings, and carnal ordinances imposed on them, until the time of Reformation, Heb. 9.10. But now that time of Refor­mation cometh, and now is, when you shall have a more spiritual way of worship.

Secondly, In Truth may be opposed to two things.

1. Truth is opposed to Lying or Dissembling, Phil. 1.18. Whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached. Josh. 24.19. Serve him in sincerity and truth.

2. It is opposed to Types; thus John 1.17. The Law was given by Moses, but Grace and Truth came by Jesus [Page 7]Christ. The Law, the Ceremonial Law, the Type of the Grace of God in Christ was given by Moses, but Grace and Truth, or the Grace of God in Truth, in substance, not in shadow, it was not only typi­fied and shadowed as that which should be given hereaf­ter (some foretasts whereof they only had by drops) but really and plentifully exhibited: And thus not to distract your heads with the various Interpretations of others, you see the plain meaning in spirit, in opposition to cor­poreal and carnal Sacrifices: and in truth, in opposition to Ceremonial Types and Legal Shadows.

So that now way being made, I shall come to that one Doctrine which I intend to discourse of (omitting others which might be pertinently and profitably raised) and that is this:

Doct. Evangelical worship must be spiritual worship.

In the Prosecution of this Point, I shall observe this Order, 1. Open. 2. Prove. 3. Apply the Point.

1. For the Opening of it: 1. Negatively. 2. Posi­tively.

1. Negatively: You must not understand either the Text or Doctrine so as if all external Worship were ex­cluded, as some dangerously mistake.

There are two things allowed and required in the Gos­pel; something external.

1. In Worship.

2. In the Worshipper.

1. In the Worship there is something external; even in that which Christ instituted, not only Prayer, but bo­dily Fasting is an Ordinance: In the Sacrament, there is a visible part as well as a spiritual: In the hearing of the Word there must be an external attention of the ear, as well as the inward obedience of the heart: On Sabbaths, [Page 8]a rest from worldly works, as well as from sin.

2. In the VVorshipper there must be a concurrence of the outward Man, even in the spiritual VVorship of God; though the spirit and heart be the chief: And so it was of old, My Son, give me thy heart; yet the body also is not exempted from the worship of God, Glorifie God with your Souls and with your Bodies, for both are God's, 1 Cor. 6.20. Our Bodies are the Temples of the Holy Ghost here, the Vessels of Glory hereafter, and therefore it is but meet they should be Instruments of God's VVorship here. And therefore not only in the Old, but in the New Te­stament too, a regard hath been had unto the gesture of the body. Christ kneeled down and prayed, Luke 22.41. Peter kneeled, Acts 9.40. Paul kneeled down and prayed, Acts 20.36. This for the Negative.

2. Positively: In what respects must Evangelical Wor­ship be spiritual Worship.

I Answer four ways.

1. Subjectivè, It must be offered up by a spiritual per­son: The first thing God looks at, is the person of the Worshipper, &c. God had respect unto Abel (first) and to his offering, Gen. 4. [...]. A carnal person's Worship is never accepted, They that are in the flesh cannot please God, Rom. 8.9. where being in the flesh is opposed unto being in the Spirit, or being a spiritually minded person: Therefore St. Peter tells the Jews, 1 Pet. 2.5. Ye also as lively stones are built up a spiritual house, an holy Priesthood, to offer up spiritual Sacrifices. Paul blames the Corinthians for this in hearing, 1 Cor. 3.1. I could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal. A man must be translated from darkness to light, he must be a spiri­tual person, partaker of the Holy Ghost, filled with the fruits of the Spirit, under the conduct and command of [Page 9]God's Spirit, if he hope to offer up Evangelical Service in an acceptable manner.

2. Instrumentaliter; this Worship must be done princi­pally with our Spirit, not with our body only, nor chief­ly, &c. This God expects in all things: In Preaching, Acts 18.25. Apollos being fervent in Spirit, spake and taught. In Praying, 1 Cor. 14.14. My Spirit prayeth. Eph. 6.18.—Praying in the Spirit, unless that be meant of the Spirit of God. Heb. 10.22. Let us draw near with a true Heart. How lamentably are those mistaken that think they worship God when they come to a publick as­sembly, and there sit and sleep, or talk, or think of o­ther things: Surely these men think they are worship­ping one of David's Idols, that hath eyes, but sees not, and not that God who is a Spirit. Mark how sharply our Saviour takes up such persons, Mat. 15.8. Ye Hypocrites, well did Espaias prophesie of you, saying, This People draweth nigh unto me with their Mouth, but their Heart is far from me, Ezek. 33.31. They sit before thee,—but their Heart goeth after their Covetousness.

3. Finaliter; a man's designs and aims in the Wor­ship of God must be spiritual, the getting and impro­ving of spiritual Blessings and Graces, and Privileges, &c. A man's end must not be,

I. Sinful and Devilish, that he may have the greater advantage to do mischief, Mat. 23.14. You devour Wi­dows Houses, and for a Pretence make long Prayers.

II. Nor Worldly and Carnal, to procure some worldly Good: As they in Hosea 7.14. That cried unto God, and howled upon their Beds for their Corn and Wine. Or like the Pharisees, that loved to pray, standing in the Synagogues and in the Corners of the Streets, that they may be seen of Men, Mat. 6.5.

[Page 10]III. Nor vain and none at all; Some have no certain end at all: They hear, come to Prayer, &c. Ask them why? They can tell you no reason, but they are like men in a Crowd, carried away by the torrent of the multitude, so are these carried to Ordinances, by the cu­stom of the place, and the examples of their neigh­bours, fitly compared unto the waves of the Sea, James 1. which have no certain order, nor determinate end, but reel now hither, now thither, till they dash themselves upon a Rock.

IV. But it must be a spiritual end, God being a Spirit, looks to the end and design of our spirits, and that must be spiritual, such as the pleasing of God, and the filling of your selves with Grace, and fitting for Glory.

4. It must be spiritual formaliter, formally; it must not be a carnal, ceremonial way of worship, not by Types and Shadows, as of old, but now it must be a more spiritual way. And this is that which is principal­ly intended by Christ. The time is coming, when nei­ther the false Worship of the Samaritans, nor the ceremo­nial Worship of the Jews, shall be used, but a worship of another kind, nature, and complexion. Thus much for the Explication.

2. For the Proof of it; I shall only offer two Argu­mets (I would rather stablish and settle you with the weight, than confound and overwhelm you with the number of Arguments.)

• 1. Ab Authore Cultus.
• 2. A Fine Cultus.

First, From the Author of Worship, and this is the Argument of the Text, which is distributed into two Parcels.

• 1. A Naturâ Dei.
• 2. A Voluntate Dei.

[Page 11]I. A Naturâ Dei, from the Nature of God: God is a Spirit. If any desire to understand the Consequence, that will appear thus,

I. Because Conformity with God (so far as we can, as our Nature and State will bear) is our Duty. Like­ness to God, Scripture every where presseth us to. Be you perfect as God is perfect, Mat. 6. You shall be holy, for I am holy, Levit. 19.2. Now the more spiritual any Worship is, the liker God.

2. Because the pleasing of God is our business, it is the [...], or great work of a sincere Christian, Heb. 11.5. He had this Testimony, that he pleased God. Now that which pleaseth God, must be that which is suitable to him, God is not pleased with carnal Services, but spiri­tual VVorship. Nay, even in the time of the Law, see how slightingly God speaks of ceremonial Worship (which the Jews did so highly magnifie) Psal. 69.30, 31. I will praise the Name of God with a Song,—This al­so shall please the Lord better than an Ox or Bullock. Psal. 40.6. Sacrifice and Offering thou didst not desire, mine ear hast thou opened, to hear instruction, to obey, &c. or bored to be thy faithful Servant. God speaks like one that thought the time long (as I may say) for the duration of ceremonial Worship, and breath'd after the time ap­pointed for the abolition of that, and the introduction of a more spiritual way.

3. Because spiritual Worship is the most perfect Wor­ship: We owe to God the most perfect Worship, Mal. 1.14. Cursed be that deceiver, that having in his flock a Male, sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing. And if God be a Spirit, the more spiritual any thing is, the more perfect and excellent is it, and so due to God.

Thus you see the force of our Saviour's Argument, God is a Spirit, &c.

You will say, But was not God a Spirit under the Old Testament, as well as now? And therefore by this Argu­ment it should have been as much spiritual then, and so may be as carnal and ceremonial now. For Answer.

1. I might say as the Apostle, Rom. 9. Nay but O man, who art thou that repliest against God? against Christ? If Christ urge this Argument for a more spiritual worship under the Gospel than that was under the Law, surely we owe this respect to Christ, as to believe him upon his word, and though we saw no reason for it, yet to believe, that he being the wisdom of the Father, saw further than we do.

2. Although the nature of God did then require spiri­tual worship (and that he had under the Law, to obey is better than Sacrifice, 1 Sam. 15.) yet he was pleased to make an allowance and indulgence of a ceremonial wor­ship, in condescention to the weakness of the Jews, and the Infant-state of the Church, who else would have been very prone to a compliance with Idolaters, if God had not diverted and contented them with some pompous Cere­monies, sutable to the state and disposition of children: As also he saw it then expedient to appoint such Rites and Ceremonies as might be Schoolmasters to lead them to Christ, and might shew him that was to come, and to re­serve the honour of a more perfect and spiritual way of worship to the coming of his Son, the Sun of righteousness, by whom those shadows were to be scattered: But now when these reasons were ceased, Christ reduceth them to the original rule of worship, viz. the Nature of God, &c. Even as in the case of Marriage, notwithstanding the first Institution, Gen. 2. God was pleased to dispense with, or rather wink at the Jewish Divorces; yet at last Christ recals them to the primitive Institution, Mat. 19.8. Mo­ses, [Page 13]because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put a­way your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. So for­merly God permitted and appointed a more carnal way of worship, because of their childishness, but now when they are grown to man's estate, and the Church is com­ing to maturity, they must put away those childish things, and must think of a more manlike way of worship; of a more rational and spiritual way than that they had used, remembring their former worship was not such as God desired, but such as they needed.

II. A Voluntate Dei, From the Will of God. This is the other Reason: For the Father seeketh such to worship him. God requireth such worship and worshippers. The Foundation of this Reason is this: The rule of worship is not man's fancy, but God's Will: Mens fancies and wills are infinitely various and therefore those that have gone that way, have been divided into a thousand varie­ties; they worship they know not what, as v. 22. Only God's will is the stable Rule: None knows the mind of God but the Spirit of God: Now this is the worship God requires in Gospel times.

Arg. Second, From the end of worship. Look what the ends of worship are, such must the worship be: And that was the reason why the Jewish worship was so much Typical, because the end of it was to represent Christ; and that end being now attained, and Christ exhibited, we must consider what were and are the further ends of worship. Now the Ends are of two sorts.

1. In reference to God.

2. In reference to men. And both will shew us, that the worship must be spiritual.

I. In relation to God; so it is double.

1. To please God: This is Finis operis & operantis too, [Page 14](if a man be sincere) Psal. 19.14. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight. Now it is only spiritual Worship that can please God: That man doth but little consider the nature of God, that thinks God is pleased with the bowing of the knee to an Altar; no, it is the bending of the heart that God respects. It is not an Organ in a Church, but the Organ of a gracious heart, and melody in the heart that pleaseth God.

2. To exalt God amongst men, to render him glorious in the eyes of the World: Now how is that done? Do you think that it makes God glorious, when men seek to honour him with bodily and external Services? No, you cannot dishonour God more, than by giving him such a Worship as begets a carnal representation of God, &c. And when God would set himself forth in his Glory, he represents himself in a spiritual manner, and he takes them off from all corporeal thoughts and fancies, God is a Spirit. To whom will ye liken me? You saw no Shape. God dwelleth not in Temples made with Hands.

II. In reference to men; so the ends of Worship are purely spiritual: Such as these (for I can but name them) the elevation of the Soul to God, and its assimilation to him, the union of Man with his Creator, the supply of the Souls spiritual Necessities, and the conduct of a Sin­ner to Glory; and all these are spiritual Works, and to be done by spiritual Helps, and therefore Evangelical Wor­ship must be spiritual Worship.

Ʋse 1. This may serve for Reprehension to two sorts of men:

Such as offend against this Doctrine, 1. In Principle, 2. In Practice.

1. In Principle: Such as plead for a carnal or ceremo­nial way of VVorship in Gospel-times: I know very well [Page 15]that what I say may possibly displease many: But I remem­ber that tremendous saying of the Apostle Paul's, Gal. 1.10. If I please men, I am not the Servant of Christ. And if our Adversaries in this Point, had been of this spirit and carriage, as calmly to assert their own Opinions, and can­didly to bear with such as modestly and peaceably dis­sented from them, I had held my peace: And for such as are of moderate Spirits and Principles, that can retain their own Principles without the ruine of all that differ from them, I speak not a word to them: But when a man shall look abroad, and observe the Speeches, VVritings, and Carriages of many men, and shall see such a weight by divers laid upon these lesser matters; when a man shall see a sort of men among us that contend with greater eager­ness for a Cross and a Surplice, than ever they did for the Faith that was once delivered to the Saints: VVhen Ministers and Christians shall be judged and measured by this Standard, not by the brokenness of their Hearts, nor the blamelessness of their Lives, nor their abilities for Service, but by their approbation and observation of some ceremonial niceties; when men shall shew more zeal for the observation of an holiday instituted by the Church, than of the Lord's day; when more respect shall be shewed unto a material Temple of dead stones, than to the spiritual and living Temple of the holy Ghost; when it shall be more criminal for a Minister not to have a Girdle upon his out­ward garments, than not to have his Loins girt with truth; when a canonical garment shall be more respected by many than a canonical life; and when more Religion is placed in having the sign of the Cross upon our forehead, than the power of the Cross in our lives; I say, when things are thus, if I should be silent, the stones would speak: And therefore give me leave to speak; I hope I may say as [Page 16]the Apostle, I speak to wise men, judge you what I say. I hope I am not speaking to that sort of men that have nei­ther patience to hear, nor wit to understand any thing that differs from their pre-conceived Opinions.

In the first place I shall appeal to the Text; let that umpire the business: God is a Spirit, and God will be worshipped. I am not ignorant that it is frequently said by Papists and others, that this Text is imperti­nently urged against Ceremonies in Christian Churches: And it is soon said; but if you mark the reason they give for it, that is sufficient to confute what they say: For they alledge, that Christ's purpose is only to con­demn Juda [...]cal worship, which was wholly void of in­ternal and spiritual worship; so a Papist. And another, a late Protestant Interpreter, That we are here taught that the Christian Worship must differ both from the Jewish and Samaritan, and that in it we are taught to joyn the soul with external performances: So that all their Evasion is built upon this most false Supposition, that the Jews were not taught to joyn the soul and spiritual worship with exter­nal and Ceremonial, contrary to 1 Sam. 15. Hath the Lord any pleasure in Sacrifice? Behold, to obey is better than Sacrifice. And that, Micah 6. I will have Mercy, and not Sacrifice. And what doth thy God require of thee, but to do judgment, and shew mercy, and walk humbly with thy God? It is therefore a most gross mistake to fancy that the Jews were not taught to joyn the soul with their external performances.

And therefore seeing in the Jewish worship there was a Conjunction of Spiritual worship and Ceremonial, and the Christian must differ from it in this particular, it is clearly implied that that shall be free from such ceremo­nial Institutions wherewith the other was loaded, [Page 17]and shall be managed with simplicity and spirituality.

To this Argument of the Text, give me leave to add four or five considerable Inconveniences, which follow from the Introduction, affectation and imposition of a Ceremonial way of worship under the Gospel.

1. There is a Reduction of such things as have been cast out of the Church for their unprofitableness: I shall of­fer only one place to your perusal, Heb. 7.18. For there is verily a disanulling of the former Commandment going be­fore, (that is, of the Ceremonial Law,) for the we kness and unprofitableness thereof; i. e. without respect to Christ they were altogether useless, and the typical use being gone, therefore were they laid aside, &c. And shall we go and set up other things equally unprofitable? Shall we lay aside God's Ordinances because they were unprofita­ble, and set up mens Devices that are as unprofitable? What I beseech you! Is not an Altar in our Churches as unprofitable as that of the Jews, and more too? For theirs was useful for sacrifice, ours for nothing, unless to be an apple of contention, and a wall of partition amongst Ministers and Christians.

2. There is a great obstruction to edification and the salvation of souls: Beloved, that man understands little of the worth of a Soul that doth not value the salvation of one Soul, before ten thousand of those unnecessary Ce­remonies. Better all the Organs in the world broken, all material Temples level'd with the ground, all sacred Garments (as they are accounted) of Ministers, cast in­to a fire, than one soul lost. Now this I am perswaded most ingenuous men will agree with me in, that the loss of many a soul may be charged upon, or at least was occa­sioned by these things: For if an able and powerful Mi­nistry be the great means of the salvation of souls, and the [Page 18]removal of such be a taking away of the means of salvati­on; and many such Ministers (such I say in the judgment even of their Enemies) have been removed, because their Consciences could not comply with such Impositions: Then I think the Conclusion is plain enough, that they have been the occasion, if not the cause, of the ruine of many a precious soul: And I should not speak of this now, but that I see the same spirit at work again, and we have too many among us that give us cause to think they had rather People should have no Ministers than no Ceremo­nies; and rather a sottish, unlearned, debauched Ministry, than not a ceremonious and superstitious Ministry. Now I beseech you mark how much this differs from the Aposto­lical Precept and Practise, Rom. 15.2. Let no man please himself, but let every one please his neighbour for his good to edification, 2 Cor. 13.10.— According to the power which the Lord hath given me for edification not to destruction. What! had not the Apostles such power? Much less have those that are or pretend to be their Successors. They speak of the power the Church hath to make Canons, &c. Be it so, yet have they no power to destruction. And although it be a truth that all things in the Church must be done decently and in order, Yet I am sure the order of the Church must give place to edification, and we must not deperdere substantiam propter accidentia.

3. There is a disturbance of the Peace of the Church: I know such Men use to condemn those that cannot com­ply with their Ceremonies, as Disturbers of the Peace: But as we say to the Romanists, they charge us with Schism, but are themselves guilty, by imposing such heavy and unnecessary Burdens as forced us to depart, and by not allowing of us to continue with them, unless we yield and concur with them in all things; even so do our [Page 19]Adversaries with us, first impose these unnecessary Bur­dens, which they know many thousands cannot bear, and then blame them from withdrawing their Shoulder, from them. It was prudently advised to K. James, that he should do with Ceremonies as Pollio did with his Cup­board of curious Glasses, which he broke, lest his Ser­vants breaking them, it should occasion much contention and trouble: So surely Men that prize the Churches Peace as they ought, should rather break those in pieces, than lay a foundation for such bitter and innume able Con­tests, as will certainly follow, to the grief of good Men, and the rejoycing of our Enemies. The Peace of the Church should be highly prized. How earnestly and fre­quently doth the Apostle conjure us to this: F [...]llo [...] peace with all men. Seek peace and ensue it. God hath called us to peace. And forasmuch as it is confessed that these Cere­monies are indifferent in themselves, and no further ne­cessary than as the Church imposeth them; I submit this Query to all ingenuous and judicious Men, Whether it were not more prudent and pious for the Church to lay such Ceremonies aside, which will be a wall of parti­tion between us and other Churches, and a stone of stum­bling, and occasion of quarrel among our selves, than continue them upon such dangerous and uncomfortable terms? In things indifferent the Apostle exceedingly presseth a yielding to weak brethren, not offending, grie­ving one of those for whom Christ died: So Christ, not to offend one of these little ones, &c. Now it is certain many thousands of sincere Christians are grieved and stumbled at these things. And say it is their weakness; You then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please your selves, Rom. 15.1. And it is strange to see that this is made an Argument for Ceremo­nies, [Page 20]because else we shall offend the Papists (a sort of obstinate and hardned enemies, who will be offended, whatever you do, who are the more hardned by our com­pliance with them in worship, but no way pleased, un­less you receive their Doctrines too) and that they make this no Argument against them, because they will of­fend so many Protestant Churches and Brethren.

4. Distraction in spiritual worship, which ought to be done without distraction: The more Inveaglements there are to sense, the more disadvantage to the Spirit. To instance in one thing, I appeal to the experience of any ingenuous person, whether curiosity of voice, or musical sounds in Churches, doth not tickle the fancy with a car­nal delight, and engage a man's ear and most diligent attention unto those sensible motions and audible sounds, and therefore must necessarily in great measure recal him from spiritual communion with God; seeing the mind of man cannot attend to two things at once with all its might; and when we serve God, we must do it with all our might. And hence it is that the Ancients have some of them given this rule, that even vocal singing should not be too curious, but legenti similior quam canenti: And Paul himself gives it a wipe, Eph. 5.19. Speaking to your selves in Psalms, and Hymns, and spiritual Songs, making melo [...]y in your hearts to the Lord.

5. Affectation of carnal and ceremonial worship begets oft-times an enmity against spiritual worshippers. Look abroad in the Old Testament, and so in the New, &c. you will find none were more bitter Adversaries to the Prophets, to Christ, to the Apostles, than those that were the greatest Zealots for ceremonial Institutions and their own Inventions in God's worship: They were de­vout women that raised persecution against Paul, Acts 13.48. [Page 21]Mistake not; I do not say that all that use ceremonies are such: No, I know some such that are [...], that are better born, and better bred Christians, that shew more ingenuity and piety, and that sincerely love all humble close-walking Christians, however dissenting from them in those matters: yet I wish I could not say, there are a great many that have so furious a zeal for these lesser matters of the Law, that where a man differs from them therein, no merit can expiate his Crime, no Parts, no Learning, no Piety, no Industry can reconcile them to that Minister that dissents from them.

2. It reproves those who practically offend against this Doctrine; though they own the Principle, that God is a Spirit, and must have a spiritual worship, yet worship him carnally; in words they own God's spirituality, but in deed deny it. God not only regards your worship but the manner of it, Deus delectatur adverb [...]is. A good man is spiritual in his carnal work, &c. And it is a very bad sign to be carnal in spiritual work, a sign the heart is carnal, and much carnal too: And you know, the carnal mind is enmity against God, Rom. 8.7.

Quest. But how shall I know that I am guilty in this Point?

Answ. You may know it by these Characters.

1. Then you are carnal, when your heart concurs not with your body, your spirit works not, when vain thoughts lodge within you, when you draw nigh to God with your lips, and your hearts are far from God.

2. When a mans heart is not warm in the worship of God. A mans mind and heart may be upon it, yet with so much coldness and indifferency, as if he did it not. Ma­ny pray as if they prayed not, and hear as if they heard not: You must be servent in Spirit.

[Page 22]3. When a Man can rest in the work done: This is the case of most, if they come to a Church, especially if they have so far supererogated, as to hear two Sermons, receive a Sacrament, run over a Prayer, they have done enough, their Conscience rests, and heart is quiet &c. But a spiritual man looks further, he rests not unless he hath done it with all his might, and met with God in it.

4. When a Man is drawn to spiritual Worship upon carnal grounds, applause of Men, quieting of Consci­ence, pleasing of Friends, Parents, Master, &c. A spi­ritual Man doth it in obedience to God's Commands, desire of God's Presence and Grace, and Honour.

5. When a Man affects that which is carnal, and disre­lisheth what is spiritual in worship: When a Man comes to a Sermon, What is most pleasing to you, what do you like best, and hear with greatest attention? Is it some florid and eloquent Expression, some high and unusual Notion, some historical passage, some acute sentence, &c. Or is it a spiritual discourse, a sin-discovering and soul-af­fecting and heart-breaking passage? What Prayer is it that your hearts do most savour? &c.

Ʋse 2. And last Exhortation. Let the consideration of this, keep you from the affectation of a carnal and ceremonial way of worship, and oblige you to worship God in spirit and truth: Let spiritual worship be your chief care.

Mot. 1. This is the most excellent worship, it is the worship of Angels, of Heaven, most sutable to the most excellent Being.

2. It is the most Evangelical worship, so the Text; God perfects his worship by degrees. Under the Law there were many Ceremonies, some substance, some things [Page 23]spiritual. Under the Gospel most spiritual, only some very few external observances. In Heaven, all spiritual; simplicity and spirituality and plainness, are the chara­cters of the Gospel.

3. It is the most acceptable worship to God: Even in the time of Ceremonies, God speaks slightingly of them, Hath God any pleasure in Sacrifice? Sacrifice and Offering thou wouldest not. But spiritual worship as he preferred in those times, so now it is spiritual worship only upon the matter which he requires.

4. It is the most proper worship of a gracious person. Alas! a carnal ceremonial way of worship is easily practi­cal by any person; the labour of the lip, the bowing of the knee, the tuning of the voice, the wearing of such and such Garments, these any are capable of: Nay, oft­times the worst of men are the greatest Zealots in these things; yea, Christ makes it the Character of an hypocrite, to be violent in these things: When the Pharisees urged that none should eat meat with unwashen hands, as a Type of that inward purity, &c. as a significant Cere­mony which they had devised, and imposed upon others, and fell foul upon Christ and his Disciples for neglecting it; see what he saith, Mark 7.6, 7. Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people ho­noureth me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. —Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for Do­ctrines the Commandments of men. But now spiritual wor­ship, none can give, but a spiritual man, one that hath the Spirit.

5. Spiritual worship is the most opposite to the Devil, and mens corrupt hearts, which are confederate with him. The Devil patiently suffers a carnal Worship, &c. He knows Missa non mordet: The Devil never hin­dred, [Page 24]but furthered the superstitious Pharisees, and Pa­pists; but spiritual worship he opposeth: He cannot en­dure spiritual Praying, Preaching: If there be any Mini­sters that Pray and Preach, and transact the worship of God more spiritually than others, these are the men that the Devil owes a spite, and he will endeavour to put these out of service, and out of the Ministry, here he engages all his interest; the Superstitious and Prophane, both like Sampson's Foxes, tied together by the Tails, must burn these up.

6. Lastly, (To conclude all) Spiritual worship is the safest worship. A carnal ceremonial way under the Gospel, is at best a doubtful and uncertain way, there are many dangers in it, danger of abridging Christian liberty, and bringing our selves under a yoke of bondage, danger of superstition and will-worship (which however men may devise to please God, yet nothing displeaseth him more, as you heard just now that dreadful place, In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrine the Commandments of men) God will not bear little errours in his worship, Levit. 10. dangerous to the souls of men, to the peace of the Church, as you have heard: But a spiritual way of worship is un­doubtedly safe, you may offer it boldly to God by Christ. Every one agree in this: Both Jews and Gentiles, both Christians and Heathens do unanimously agree in the lawfulness and acceptableness of Spiritual Worship.