Or 2ly, if it be the true worship of the true God according to the appointment of Christ Jesus, yet ever in two things the sincere wife (the true love of Christ Jesus) out-goes the whore and counterfeit.
First, the true wife contents not herself with the bare exercise, ordinance or administration (as the hypocrites do) but in all is restless to enjoy the Lord himself: For as the ordinance is spirituall, and heavenly; so longs the true beleever for a spirituall and heavenly communion with the Lord himself in it, that he may become one spirit with him more and more in all these outward and subordinate means and administrations.
Hence it pleaseth the Spirit of God to resemble his worship to the marriage bed, which satisfies not the heavenly Spouse, when the Husband Christ Jesus, is not spiritually embraced therein, but absent.
2ly, The desire of the true beleever in the enjoyment of Christ Jesus in any of his appointments is to be made fruitfull by him: but the desire of a whore extends no further then Lust or a Reward. Hence Rom. 7. We are married unto Christ Jesus, that we should bring forth fruit unto God: A whoorish heart willingly endures not fruitfulnes, but kills her own conceptions which the true Wife cherisheth, and tendreth as her life.
Obj. What should be the reason why so many of Gods children who in all ages have discovered their strong affection to Gods visible worship, and communion in Christ, have yet so varied, and wandred from the right, and first institution of the Church, and ministry, and Ordinances of worship?
I answer, Gods councell touching the spirituall captivity, and desolation, must be fulfilled, when yet notwithstanding, the strength of the affection of Gods people hath appear'd in their mourning and weeping, and lamenting after, and contending for the truth of the spiritual injoyment of their souls Beloved, in all the means of his own holy appointments.
11thly.
11thly. Again it is an Argument of spirituall health, & strength, in respect of God, when the Heart is fixed, and readily prepared for all the holy pleasure of God. Hence Hezekiah praies for such whose hearts were prepared to seek Jehovah, God of their Fathers: Hence this readines, and preparation of mind, is compared to the shoes on our Feet, without which we are unfit for travelling, walking, &c. and with which we are ready for any spirituall imployment. Hence David professeth that his heart was fixed, and ready, and when the Lord said seek my Face, Davids heart answered, Lord, thy Face will I seek, &c.
Obj. What is the reason that Gods children are sometimes hardly brought on to difficult services, and duties?
I answer, unreadines, and unfitnes is a spirituall sicknes or distemper, which when Gods children recover out of, then they say as the Lord Jesus in David Psal: 41. Lord my heart is willing, my heart is ready to do thy will O my God: And they say to Christ Jesus, as his holy servant John Bradford said to Queen Mary; If she keep me in prison, I will thank her; If she release me I will thank her; If she burn me, I will still thank her.