14, eirVindicationofOrdinances. ObjeU.I. Anftv. Objea.2! is, furely therefore the Appointments, Inflitutions, and Ordinances of Chrift are Ain to 'continue ; we are to acknowledge, receive , and fubmit unto thefe Appoint- ments, and to hearken unto Chrift our great Prophet here- in. But,what need of Ordinances ? for I enjoy God moll in private, when I go unto God alone, when I, am all alone in Prayer, I enjoy God more than Ido under the publick Or- dinances ; and therfore what need of them ? Do you enjoy more of God in private ? What,more than ever you did in publick ? Where wert thou thenConverted? Wert thou not Converted under the publick Miniflry ? Or- dinarily men are Converted by the publick Miniftry ; and now you have fome good affedions in private, Doth that good affeIion that you have in private, arife to a higher enjoyment of God, then your firft Converfion to God ? Do you think that a little affedion , or drawing out of the heart in private, doth arife to a higher enjoyment ofGod than your firft turning to him ? this cannot be. Is it not an eafie thing for a man to think that God is moil enjoyed, when his heart is moll affeded ? It is poffible that a. mans heart may be more affeeled , when God is leffe enjoyed ; fuch is the deceit of ou'r hearts. God is moil enjoyed,where God is mot} ferved. But now, fuppofe God were more en-. joyed in private, than under publick Ordinances ( I do but fuppofe it ) yet were this no reafon why a man fhould lay by the publick Ordinances ; for you are fometimes in your Clofet at Prayer,and there you enjoyGod ; fometimes you are below at Dinner and Supper, and you have fome en- joyments ofGod there. But I pray tel me,Whether do you enjoy Godmore at your ordinary Dinner and Supper, or in I your Clofet in Prayer ? Surely, I enjoy God more in my Clofet in Prayer: And is this a Reafon now why you fhould never Dine and Sup again ? Yet `notwithflanding, how do people reafon thus ! I enjoy God more in private, therfore I mull lay by the publick. But yet, I have not only mine own experience,but I have the
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