Gods people long after Gods true worship in Christ Jesus.
Hence the Spouse was both asleep, and awake, toward Christ Jesus: Cant: 5. She was willing, and unwilling to rise to open to Christ Jesus: Hence she thinks she hears her Husbands voice: It is the voice of my Beloved: She thinks Christ is knocking at the door of her heart, and will, in such and such arguments, in such and such Scriptures, in such and such professions, and professours, in such and such their suffrings, &c.
Obj. May it not possibly be that the true children of God, not only may neglect, but even deny the Ordinances of Christ Jesus, appointed and practised in his first Churches.
Gods people both awake & asleep as to Christ Jesus.
I answer, Gods Israel and people under the Gospel, may as possibly be spirituall slaves and captives to Egypt and Babylon spirituall, as Israel of old was to Babell, literall and materiall, in respect of the worshipping of God, according to the appointment of Christ Jesus.
In respect of false worship, Gods Israel may be a slave, and asleep, and yet awake, and free, in true inclinations and desires, willing (though mixt with sleepy unwillingnes) to be at any pains and cost, to enjoy her souls beloved Christ Jesus, in his own appointments.
Hence such expressions with sighs and tears, if I were perswaded of Gods will, if I were perswaded of the necessity of such public ordinances and formes.
Gods people cannot but be full of strugling of spirit as to the visible worship of God in Christ Jesus.
Hence others expressions, if I were perswaded of such and such ordinances, that such a people, or such a people were in the true way of enjoying Christ Jesus, how joyfully should I joyn with them?
Hence holy David, though not so thoroughly awaked, to enjoy the Ark and presence of God, he and all Israel brings up the Ark of God with rejoycing, though not after the Lords due order, which caused his holy jealousie to send that perez Uzza that breach of Uzzah amongst them.