I know what it is to go to God for mercy, and stand all the while
through fear afar off, being possessed with this, Will not God now
smite me at once to the ground for my sins? David thought something
so when he said as he prayed, "Cast me not away from thy presence,
and take not thy Holy Spirit from me."
None know, but those that have them, what turns and returns, what
coming on and going off, there are in the spirit of a man that
indeed is awakened, and that stands awakened before the glorious
Majesty in prayer.
It is a great matter, in praying to God, not to go too far; nor come
too short; and a man is very apt to do one or the other. The
Pharisee went so far, he was too bold; he came into the temple
making, such a ruffle with his own excellencies, there was in his
thoughts no need of a Mediator.
It has been the custom of praying men to keep their distance, and
not to be rudely bold in rushing into the presence of the holy and
heavenly Majesty, especially if they have been sensible of their own
vileness and sins, as the prodigal, the lepers, and the poor
publican were. Yea, Peter himself, when upon a time he perceived
more than commonly he did of the majesty of Jesus his Lord, what
doth he do? "He fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me,
for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
Pages:
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413