Unless thou, O Lord, didst say it, who would believe it to be true?
And unless thou didst command it, who would dare to come unto thee?
*Behold, Noah, a just man, laboured an hundred years in making of the ark, that he might be saved with a few; and how can I in one hour prepare myself to receive, with reverence the maker of the world?
4. Moses, thy great servant, and thy special friend, made an ark of incorruptible wood, which also he covered with most pure gold, to put the tables of the law therein; and I a corruptible creature, how shall I dare lightly to receive the maker of the law, and the giver of life?
Solomon, the wisest of the kings of Israel, bestowed seven years in building a magnificent temple to the praise of thy name.
He celebrated the feast of the dedication thereof eight days together; he offered a thousand peace-offerings, and he solemnly set the ark on the place prepared for it, with the sound of trumpets and joy.
*And I the most miserable and poorest of men, how shall I bring thee into my house, that can scarce spend one half hour devoutly? Yea would I could once spend near half an hour in a due manner!
5. O my God, how much did they do out of an endeavour to please thee! And, alas, how little is that which I do! How little time do I spend to prepare myself to receive!
I am very seldom wholly recollected, very seldom free from all distraction;
And yet surely no unbecoming thought ought to appear in the presence of the Deity, nor any creature find any place in me, for I am not to harbour an angel, but the Lord of angels.