is to be acceptably performed. 281 ufeful means ; and particularly, as Solomon S E R M. advifeth, let us' be always ready to hear, to X. receive inftruaions, and to have good fenti -`'" ments revived in our minds, as the only na- tural and rational way of exciting in us good affeaions, and our increafing in all virtue ; and let us be always upon our guard, that divine worfhip doth not grow into contempt with us, and that we be not, through a cuflo- mary and carelefs manner of attending it, har- dened into an irreverence for God, and there- by into a difinclination to follow him as dear children, to imitate his amiable moral perfec- gions, which is the effence of religion. Thirdly, Another fault to be carefully avoid- ed in worfhip, and particularly in prayer, is a laborious multiplicity of words, and vain repetitions, as if the acceptance of our fer- vice depended on the labour of the external action, more than the fincerity of the af- feaions. Solomon warneth the worfhipper not to be rajh with his mouth, nor hafly in uttering words before God, but rather that his words fhould be Jew. He faith, a fools voice is known by the multitude of words (as much in devotion as in any other affair) and in this there are divers 'vanities. A greater than Solomon, our Saviour himfelf giveth the fame inftrudion to his difciples, when he teacheth them
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