A SERMON PREACHED AUGUST the 19 th', 1684. AT THE CONSECRATION OF THE Lord Weymouth's Chapel IN LONG-LEAT.  
By RICHARD RODERICK, B. D. Vicar of Blandford-Forum in Dorsetshire.  
LONDON, Printed by Miles Flesher, for Henry Clements, Bookseller in Oxford; And Sold by Walter Davis, in Amen-Corner, in London. 1684.   

  

TO The Right Honourable THOMAS, Lord Thynne, BARON of Warmister, VISCOUNT Weymouth, etc.  
My Lord,  
THough Conscious to myself, that the bare Seasonableness of the following Discourse, and the accidentally-straitned Preparation of him that spoke it, might, to a Candid Audience, palliate the Faults of the hasty Composure, and render that acceptable from the Pulpit, which may justly be exploded when coming from the Press; yet, having broke through these and other Discouragements, I now humbly present to your Lordship this mean Attendant at the Consecration of your Chapel at Long Let. That your Lordship should command me upon so solemn an Occasion to Preach the Sermon, was an amazing Honour: That the Publication of it should be thought of, was a greater Astonishment to me. But I perceive, that the Favours of the truly great, and the Divinely good, have always something of Transcendency in them; like the Influences of Heaven, are freely and unexpectedly showered down, not poorly bartered for. While others require them, which are embarked in their Dependence, to study their Passions, not their Honour, to be more solicitous to consider their Nature, to feed their Humours, than to do them any real Advantage; and always rack, and often defeat the most reasonable expectations, or perhaps at length hardly part with their Kindnesses to those that have dearly bought them: Your Lordship and your Relations (I speak experimentally) surprise with your Favours, scorn to have them at all (much less thus basely) earned, but liberally bestow, before any particular Service hath deserved them. Hence the utmost Performances of your Dependants are already overpaid, sooner than begun; a●e but the unequal return of a strict Debt, which no future Endeavours can fully discharge, since the Circumstance of un-engaged, and first obliging, will ever be only on your Parts.  
That God would enable those which share your Bounties, to answer the Designs of them, to be useful in their Stations; and that he would be pleased both Temporally and Eternally to bless your Lordship, and your Family, is the Hearty Prayer of  
Your Lordship's Most Devoted Servant, Richard Roderick.   

A SERMON Preached at LONG-LEAT IN WILT-SHIRE. August 19 1684.  2. Chron. 7. 16. Now have I chosen and sanctified this House, that my Name may be there for ever, and mine Eyes and mine Heart shall be there perpetually. 
GOD spoke these words in a Vision to Solomon, presently after his building and Dedication of the Temple at jerusalem: A mighty work designed by King David; but the Honour of effecting it was reserved for the greatest and wisest of Men. Only the chief Ornament of his Father's House is fit, and singled out to lay the Foundation of the Lord's. 
2 Chron. 6. 18.   
But will God in very deed dwell with Men upon the Earth? Behold, Heaven, and the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain him; how much less an Earthly Tabernacle? 
Acts 7. 48, 49.  The most High dwelleth not in Temples made with hands, as saith the Prophet, Heaven is my Throne, and Earth is my Footstool: what House will ye build me, saith the Lord? Or what is the Place of my Rest?  
'Tis true, the Almighty fills all Places, is circumscribed by none: His Divinity cannot be penned up; yet he vouchsafes to stoop his Glorious Majesty, and after a peculiar manner to be present in the Congregation of his Saints. The Godhead cannot be shrunk up within any Dimensions; but his Honour is said especially to dwell in the Temple, the Place set a part for his more immediate service; on which is engraven, as 
* Ex. 28. 36.  upon the Plate on the forefront of Aaron's Mitre, Holiness unto the Lord. And of every such Place separated for God's public Worship, himself speaks, Now have I chosen and sanctified this House, that my Name may be there for ever, and mine Eyes and mine Heart shall be there perpetually.  
Which words, I humbly conceive, may be thus paraphrased; I accept and approve of this House, which, according to my will, and by my secret suggestion, is Chosen and Sanctified, or separated from common Uses to the Honour of my Name, to be mine for ever; and I promise, that mine Eyes and mine Heart shall be there perpetually, that I will have a particular regard to the Devotions there paid, and be affectionately gracious to each Votary that religiously offers them.  
For your present Meditation, be pleased to consider, 

1. That through all Ages, Men out of a sense of Duty have Chosen and Sanctified, that is, separated from common Uses, and solemnly set apart, Places for the public Worship of God.  
2. That God allows, yea, requires such Places to be Chosen and Sanctified, or solemnly set apart for his public Worship, to the Honour of his Name.  
3. That if Men will be sincerely devout in such Places (but not otherwise) God promises, that his Eyes and his Heart shall be there perpetually; He will have a particular Regard to the Devotions there paid, and be affectionately gracious to each Votary that religiously offers them.    
These Particulars discussed, I shall make a very brief Application.  
Of the two former, jointly to raise our Devotion, when we come into the Lord's House;  
Of the last, to quicken our Faith, that he will hear and answer the devout Petitions which we there make.  
1. Through all Ages Men out of a sense of Duty have Chosen and Sanctified, that is, separated from common Uses, and solemnly set apart, Places for the public Worship of God.  
Whoever own the Being of a God, must acknowledge that he ought to be Worshipped: He that made, sustains, and preserves us, has a Right to the utmost services we can pay him. And since it is hard for Earthly-minded Men to be taken off their sensual Delights, and to fix their scattered Thoughts upon Religious Duties, the best Expedient to dismiss the World for a time, the Concerns, and Love of it, is to have recourse to Holy Places; which, being separated from common Uses, will represent nothing to interrupt Acts of Piety, and, being dedicated to the Almighty's Honour, will in some measure display his Majesty, stamp in Men lasting Impressions of Reverence, and heighten Devotion.  
A Truth this so certain, so clear, that the Light of Nature taught it. The Notices of a God, and of his being to be thus publicly Worshipped, were imbibed together.  
Men sometimes were not fully persuaded of a great Superintendent over the Creation; were pleased with the Fancy, that Chance threw the World into, and continues it in this curious Order: but the Creature proving the Creator, and successive, precarious, insufficient Being's inferring a first, independent and Almighty; as soon as convinced that there was a God, the very Heathens built Altars, erected Temples (many whereof very famous and magnificent) and by their Sacrifices, Purgations, and other Rites there used, testified an awful veneration of the Deity. Reason, though but little improved, instructed them in that Religious Practice.  
And indeed, however they fatally erred concerning the Nature of God, whose Essence they destroyed by dividing it; and many of their Mysteries were most profane, greater, more barefaced Impurities being countenanced and practised to appease Heaven's Wrath, than had been before acted to provoke it: however their Sacred Offices were always ill directed, often wickedly performed; yet their beautiful Structures in Honour of false Gods will rise up in judgement against some slovenly Worshippers of the true One. Those Strangers to the Commonwealth of Israel, in this the highest outward expression of Reverence, as far might be acted up suitably to the Circumstances of feeble Manhood, and the Majesty of the inconceivable Godhead. Nay (which is very remarkable) their Idolatry did not so far desecrate the Places polluted by it, but that the Lord of Hosts did sometimes show himself terrible in his vengeance towards those, which Sacrilegiously destroyed, or rudely defiled them.  
Alexander ab Alexandro, and others, give particular accounts of the Heathen Temples, and the manner of their solemn Consecrations. But leaving them, I rather proceed to trace the more authentic practice of the Worshippers of the true God.  
Reason and Religion (though the one weakened, the other decayed by Adam's Fall) gave early Instructions to his Posterity, that they should present their Bodies also a living Sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God in his Holy Places. Such is that by learned Men supposed to have been, whither Cain and Abel brought their Offerings, Gen. 4. The Patriarches (to whom God miraculously made known his Will by Visions, Dreams, the Ministry of Angels, and in other extraordinary Manners) thought it fittest to serve him upon Consecrated Mountains, Altars, and Groves. 
Gen. 28.  To jacob particularly the Stone in Bethel, which himself erected by Divine Inspiration, was the House of God.  
And so all along 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 through the days of emptiness, as the jews style the times before the Mosaic Dispensation, the Sons of Men were taught by Laws natural impressed upon all, positive given to Adam, Noah and Abraham, whereby they and their Offspring thought themselves obliged with joint Forces to besiege Heaven, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (so St. Basil, and other Greek Fathers speak) with holy violence to straiten God, that he could not but hear, when they assembled together, 
Psal. 96. 9  and Worshipped him in the Beauty of Holiness.  
Afterwards, when out of all the Families of the Earth God had chosen him a peculiar Inheritance, and led them through the Wilderness with a mighty Hand, and an outstretched Arm; his Servant Moses, immediately before he went up into the Mount, where he saw God Face to Face, built an Altar and twelve Pillars according to the twelve Tribes of Israel, to sacrifice unto the Lord, Ex. 24. And he took an Offering of all the People to make a Sanctuary, that the Lord might dwell amongst them, Ex. 25. The Cloud, the Pillar of Fire, the Thundrings, the Lightnings, the Earthquake, the Mountain smoking, the still Voice, these and the like at sundry times were occasional Symbols of the Divine Presence in the midst of them: But the constant Seat of God's Residence was the Tabernacle of the Congregation, in which the Priests, when Sanctified, were to give attendance, to Minister in the Holy Place, Ex. 29. This was the Place of Worship, the Safeguard, and the Glory of Israel, till the building of the Temple. Before the raising of which Glorious Edifice, the high Places also for Sacrifice, before and after, the Synagogues for Prayer and hearing the Law read, were set apart: of the latter many in every City; five hundred in jerusalem, say the Rabbins.  
So zealous was David for the Holy One of Israel, that he professes (Ps. 132.) I will not give sleep to mine Eyes, or slumber to mine Eyelids, until I find out a place for the Lord, an Habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. He had it in his Heart to build an House unto the Lord, 
1 Chron. 22. 5.  exceeding Magnificent, of Fame, and of Glory throughout all Countries; and God applauded his Design, but, he being a Man of Blood, ordered him to put off the prosecution of it to his Son: That Son, whose Greatness, and Wisdom, for which he is renowned in all the World, were most signally evidenced by his carrying on that glorious Work; which was the Royal Palace of the King of Kings, the Wonder of the Earth, and the Transcript of Heaven. There was the daily Worship performed; thither all the Tribes, the Tribes of the Lord went up thrice every year, to give thanks unto the Name of the Lord. Towards that, at whatever distance, they offered their constant Devotions; and since the destruction of it, towards the Holy Land. They heretofore had, and still have, private Oratories at the top of their Houses, called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from ascending to them.  
Nay, the very Turks (the Ceremonial part of whose Religion is much according to the Jewish Platform) at first Worshipped towards the Temple of jerusalem, since towards that of Meccha. These Aliens from the Faith, though they deny the Lord that bought them, build stately Mosches to the Glory of him that made them. So firmly rooted is it in the Minds of all Men, but a company of proud, stubborn, factious Zealots, that God accounts the Honour double, which is paid him in his own House.  
Let these things be duly laid to Heart by those, who with a Pharisaical Haughtiness thank God that they are not as other Men, who are too much Spiritualised and Seraphic, to sink their Thoughts below the Fellowship of the Heavenly Choir; and therefore cannot stoop to be charitable to, and hold Communion with their Brethren, but for their sakes cast off and abhor the Houses of the Lord, where his Glory is shadowed, and his favour more plentifully dispensed. Let them remember that the Pharisee and the Publican, the one a Type of themselves, the other of those they scorn and abominate, went up together to the Temple to pray. 
Luke 18.  And let them take notice moreover, that, notwithstanding the Religious Pride of the former, the latter only went home justified.  
To give farther strength to what has been hitherto urged, we may consider the practice of Christ's Followers: as for his own, I shall speak of it under another Head. They (when, as to outward Direction, left to themselves) after our Redeemer's Passion, the time that the Law purely Mosaical ceased, yet did not forsake the chief Glory of that foregoing Dispensation. The Temple was still their House of Prayer: They continued daily with one Accord in the Temple, Acts 2. And being forced to abandon it by the great Persecution at jerusalem, Acts 8. when in the Infancy of Christianity God permitted the Heathen to rage, the Kings of the Earth to set themselves, and the Rulers to take Counsel together against the Lord, and against his Doctrine; being now debarred from the public solemn Profession of the Faith, they held it as they could, set apart for Religious Duties their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, upper Rooms in their Houses; and resolved not to serve the Lord as with any thing, so neither in any Place, that was common or unclean; Those, and the Sepulchers of Saints and Martyrs were their chosen, however mean, Oratories, neither applied to any other Uses.  
But when the Gospel, like its Author, buried in weakness, had imitated him by rising again in Glory, and the true Professors breathed freely and plentifully after their late Oppressions, they presently fell to honouring of God with their Substance which he increased, and, as their Circumstances would permit, adorned his Worship. By the Favour of Constantine the Great, and other Christian Princes, they founded Churches every where costly and magnificent. Expenses of that Nature deservedly went under the name of Piety. Nor indeed can any, who have a due sense of Religion, think it fit to put off God cheaply, to serve him with that which costs them nothing. Devotion ought not to lie grovelling in a Cottage, while Luxury vaunts it splendidly in a Palace. 'Twas the Traitor judas, who bore the Bag, and thought every thing lost which went beside it, that murmured at the Cost laid out in Honour of our Saviour. 'Twas the Apostate Iulian's Treasurer, who expected to share in the Sacrilegious Booty of the Churches, that complained the Vessels of them were too rich for the Carpenters Son. Let such profligate Men tremble, and be horribly afraid how they pollute the Lord's Altars, or offer the least Indignity to the Habitation of his Holiness. For, as I am to show secondly,  
2. God allows, yea, requires such Places to be Chosen and Sanctified, or solemnly set apart for his public Worship, to the Honour of his Name.  
Among the many gross Conceptions, which the Temptations of Satan suggest, or the Impulse of a deluded Imagination frames, concerning Almighty God, there is scarce any which more detracts from him, than that of those, who, to avoid Superstition, turn unmannerly and profane; lest they should run upon a servile Dread, refuse to pay the Duty, which becomes a filial Fear. But God will not be thus mocked. He requires a peculiar Worship, and that in Places religiously set apart for the solemnising of it. He will not have his Services to be prostituted, is jealous of his Honour, and will not share it in common with any of his Creatures.  
Indeed all Places are alike, till sacred Rites have separated some to be the Lord's Holy Habitation: Holy not essentially, so only himself is; not by Participation, so are only Angels, Saints, and good Men; but relatively, as devoted to his especial Service, and Means to quicken the Devotion of them that repair thither.  
Here he challenges an unalienable Propriety, and signalizeth his being delighted with his Chosen and Sanctified Inheritance by the Judgements that he executeth upon them which defile it; by pouring out his Fury, and accomplishing his Anger upon those, who, out of a misplaced Abhorrence of Idols, commit Sacrilege. Sacrilege, that most daring Impiety, which with an affected Frenzy bids Defiance to an All-knowing, and an Omnipotent God; and, however the impudently wicked Rage of these latter Times hath made it appear slight in some Neighbouring Nations, because common, not only Acted, but Established by a Law, yet is the unhappy Occasion, which forceth a jealous God to become a consuming Fire, and always bequeathes a Curse, that most detestable Legacy, to the third and fourth Generation. Nay exemplary Vengeance seldom passeth by the immediate Offender of this kind. 
Dan. 4.  When Nabuchadnezzar had robbed the Temple, the Invader of God's Honour lost his own; he, who by Atheistical Profanations affronted the Creator, was degraded into the condition of the lowest and the most stupid of the Creatures. 
Dan. 5.  And while his Son Belshazzer triumphed in the Spoils of the Temple, was Carouzing in the Consecrated Vessels, the Handwriting out of the Wall did strike a Palsy into his Joints, trembling into his Knees, Anguish and Horror into his Soul, and plainly evidenced, that the slaughter of the Sacrilegious Wretch the night following, was from the direct Appointment of the Lord, enraged by the Injuries done to the Place where his Honour dwelled.  
Some of these Places God expressly commanded to be Built and Sanctified. Such was the Tabernacle of the Congregation, which, when first set up, he so filled with his Glory, that Moses himself, the Mediator at that time between the Lord and his People, was not able to enter into it. 
Ex. 40. 35.   
When for forty years in the Wilderness the jews had been guided and fed with frequent Miracles, and were about to enter into the Promised Land, God directly orders, 
Deut. 12. 13, 14.  Take heed to thyself, that thou offer not thy Burnt-Offerings in every Place that thou seest, but in the Place which the Lord shall choose in one of thy Tribes, there thou shalt offer thy Burnt-Offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee. A Text this clear enough, one would think, to beat down the Humour, and overthrow the Credit of many amongst us, who fly off from Chosen and Sanctified to common Unhallowed Houses, notwithstanding the United Obligations of Interest, Reputation, Peace, Loyalty, and Religion to the contrary; who run away to Field-Conventicles, those Nurseries of Faction and Schism, where the uncommissioned Bigots presume to make, and endeavour to obtrude Articles of Apostasy, and Principles of Rebellion.  
But to return; when the Ark of God had long dwelled within Curtains, he put it into the Heart of his Servant David to design, of Solomon to build the glorious Temple of jerusalem; which in so eminent a manner became Holy to the Almighty by his Presence there at the Consecration of it, that the Priests could not stand to Minister, 
2 Chr. 5. 14.  and that the Children of Israel, otherwhiles a stubborn People, then reverently bowed themselves with their Faces to the ground, 
2 Chr. 7. 3.  and Worshipped, and Praised the Lord, saying, for he is good, for his Mercy endureth for ever.  
Again, when by Divine Permission for the Sins of the jews, the Chaldeans had burnt this Temple, God by his Prophets Haggai and Zachariah stirred up Zorobabel to build another: which, though not so magnificent as the former, though not filled with so large a Portion of the Divine Presence; though wanting the Urim and Thummim, the Ark of the Covenant, and the Sacred Fire that consumed the Sacrifices; yet the Glory of the second Temple far exceeded that of the first, because under it the Messiah came. The Messiah, who, being God blessed for ever, frequently visited, and gave a lustre to this Seat of his Holiness; called, and made it his House of Prayer; and was present at the Feast of the Dedication. Wisdom become incarnate taught, and disputed in it. He, who often submitted to our other Infirmities, was never known to be angry, but when he saw the Profanation of it. The Zeal of his House ate him up; the unsanctifying, the putting it to common Uses incensed the meek, the gentle Christ jesus. 
Acts 13. 41.  Behold ye Despisers, and wonder, and be afraid: after such an Instance as this, wonder at the awful Presence, which extorted so warm a Concern from Dovelike Innocence, and fills the Holy Places; and be afraid of the graceless stupidity of those that defile, or but slightly regard them.  
To countenance their unmannerly Profaneness, who deny the least Honour where double is due, some plead, that (however it were under the Jewish Economy, when God dealt with his People according to the hardness of their Hearts, yet) now, since the Establishment of a purer, and more Spiritual Religion, he enjoins by his Apostle St. Paul, that men should pray every where; 
1 Tim. 2. 8.  and our Saviour tells the Samaritan Woman, the Hour was coming, 
John 4. 21, 23.  when neither in that Mountain (Mount Ephraim at Shiloh, where Anciently the Tabernacle, and the Ark were) nor yet at Jerusalem, Men should Worship the Father, but should Worship him in Spirit and in Truth. By way of reply, we may note here, that St. Paul speaks of private, not of public Prayer: and besides, if the latter were meant, his appointing it to be made every where, or in every place, does not forbid a particular separation to Pious Uses, does only extend the more solemn Worship of God through the whole World, beyond the narrow compass of jerusalem, within which it was before circumscribed. This will be an answer to both the forecited Objections, which do no more prove the common indifferent Use of Places in the Service of the Lord, than that (all shall be Priests of God) does expose the Ministerial Function to every presumptuous Intruder. The sum of the matter is: Under the Law the Priesthood was confined to one Tribe, the true Worship to one Nation, but now under the Gospel both are laid in common, that is, free for all; yet that is not to be invaded by Persons uncalled, nor this ordinarily to be performed in public in Places unsanctified, neither to be exercised without preceding Consecrations. After these have solemnly set apart Places for Divine Service, as in my third Particular I shall endeavour to make out,  
3. If Men will be sincerely devout in such Places (but not otherwise) God promises that his Eyes and his Heart shall be there perpetually, he will have a particular regard to the Devotions there paid, and be affectionately gracious to each Votary that religiously offers them.  
The Happiness of the Almighty is essential and immutable, not to be increased by our imperfect Righteousness, or diminished by our impotent Iniquities. Our most sincere Devotions delight the Lord indeed, but affect ourselves, we only receive the Benefit. The Sacrifices of a broken Spirit go up as Incense with a sweet-smelling savour to the Lord, but showers of Mercies are returned for them, especially when offered in Places set apart for his Service: There hath he promised his Blessing, and life for evermore.  
If in our Distresses we fly for Refuge to the Altar; if under the apprehension of Punishment, which our sins most righteously deserve, we take Sanctuary at the House of God, our Strength, our Redemption will not fail us. Thither does God oblige us to repair; and he will certainly bless the means, which himself prescribes.  
'Tis true, when Men draw nigh to God with their Mouths, and honour him with their Lips, while their Heart is far from, and does despite unto him, he rejects such their Hypocritical Addresses, and angrily demands, who hath required these things at your Hands, to tread my Courts? Oblations are vain, Incense an Abomination to him, when not Sanctified by Affection, Faith, and Devotion.  
Whatever sturdy Conceit some Men entertain, that being once chosen for God's People, they cannot be forsaken by him, that he is bound by stronger ties to reside among, and protect them, constrained with more lasting Cords, than those with which the fond madness of certain Heathens shackled the Images of their Gods, thereby to secure the charmed Inhabitants: however with the jews (jer. 7.) after notorious Provocations they come and stand before the Lord in the House, which is called by his Name, and say, we are delivered to do all these Abominations; yet let them know, that, if not averted, 
1 Pet. 4. 17.  judgement must begin at the House of God, and will be most severely executed upon them, that profane his Glory by their wicked Approaches.  
The repeated Transgressions of unrighteous Worshippers force the Lord to an abhorrence even of his own Sanctuaries. So, in punishment to the stubborn jews, he permitted the Ark, where he had put his Name, and more Majestic Presence, to be taken Captive: and, notwithstanding their frequent Boasts of the Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord, he gave way for Antiochus to profane, for Titus totally to destroy it.  
Though jacob were his Portion, and Israel the Lot of his Inheritance, yet they, the living Temple of the Lord, by unsincere Worship provoked him, after sundry manners to set himself in array against them, to stir up all his Wrath, 
Psal. 78. 38.— 50.  and make a Way to his Anger, clear the Passage, that nothing should obstruct the full course of it. Nay, he proceeded so far, as to laugh at the Calamities which he brought upon them, to mock when their fear came; and sarcastically bid them, prepare to meet thy God O Israel. 
Amos 4. 12.  Alas, what preparation can Dust and Ashes make, wherewith to meet and withstand an angry God? Lord, what is Man, impotent Man that he should contend with an Almighty Creator? Wherewithal shall we come before, and meet him, except as jacob met Esau (Gen. 32.) with Prayers and Supplications, that we may find favour in his sight? Thus, only thus, may we imitate that Patriarch, wrestle with God, and prevail.  
Come then, and let us reverently Worship the Lord in the midst of the Congregation, being assured that for his Goodness sake he will not, for his Promise sake he cannot, refuse to hear and be gracious to sincere Devotions. Holiness becometh, 
Psal. 93. 5. Psal. 84. 1. Psal. 85.9,10.  and Goodness dwells in his House for ever. How amiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord of Hosts! here Mercy and Truth meet together, when Truth fluorisheth out of the Earth, Mercy looks down from Heaven.  
As a sensible Instance of God's favourable acceptance of supplicatory Addresses at the Temple, when the jews went up to jerusalem to make them, their Concerns were safe at home, though left without a Guard, neither incident Calamities befell them, nor the Philistines, or other bitter Enemies could then molest them; the Lord was a Shield, the God of jacob a Defence to them, while employed in his Worship. 
1 Sam. 1.  Hannah's Womb was opened, and she delivered of the Child Samuel in return of her Vow at the yearly Sacrifice in Shiloh; and, by devoting him to the Service of the Altar, she, that had been called Barren, 
1 Sam. 2.  became a joyful Mother of five Children more. The Promise of john Baptist's Birth was made to Zacharias, 
Luke 1.  when he gave attendance in the Temple. So certain it is, that God will be found of those that seek him in his own Ordinances, that he will give a particular Blessing both Temporal and Eternal to them, which call upon him in the Place, that he chooseth and sanctifieth to put his Name there. It will therefore become us, when we go into the Lord's Courts, to cry out with jacob awakened from sleep, 
Gen. 28. 17.  surely the Lord is in this Place; how dreadful is this Place? This is none other but the House of God, and this is the Gate of Heaven. Open, be ye open ye everlasting Doors above, and the Servants of the King of Glory, that reverently Worship him in his dwelling Places below, after several Earnests of his Favour here, shall enter in, and enjoy him to all Eternity.  
Having spoken to the three Particulars proposed, according to the method laid down;  
I am now to make a very brief Application  
Of the two former jointly, to raise our Devotion, when we come into the Lord's House.  
Of the latter to quicken our Faith, that he will hear and answer the devout Petitions which we there make.  
1. Since Men through all Ages have thought it their Duty, and God requires to Choose and Sanctify Places for his public Worship, where his Honour and Gracious Presence vouchsafe to dwell, We must draw near with Reverence. The place where we stand is holy ground. The Majesty of the great Creator fills, and the lowest Prostrations of his Creatures best suit with our Approaches to it.  
'Tis observable, that the Chemist in those who seek his fancied Stone, the Philosopher in them who search after that better Treasure Truth, and even the Turks in those who but look on the Koran, expect unblameable Holiness. What awful Piety than should enlarge, transport our Hearts, when we, the animated Dust of God's Footstool, have not a distant view of, but are admitted boldly to come up to the Throne of his Grace, and of his Glory?  
The weak shadows of which Glory have overwhelmed the Sons of Men with Dread and Astonishment. When Moses came down from conversing with God, the Glory of his Countenance was such, that the Children of Israel could not steadfastly behold his Face. 
2 Cor. 3. 7.  When the Glory of the Lord overspread Mount Sinai at the Delivery of the Commandments, the Israelites, 
Exodus 19  though Sanctified, and three Days fitted by Divine Appointment for the sight, yea, 
Heb. 12. 21.  and Moses himself exceedingly feared and quaked. Nay, the Obscurities of mortal Flesh, and the humble Circumstances under which the Son of God was pleased to take it, did not so far eclipse the brightness of his Glory, the express Image of his Person, but that, when now near to die as a Malefactor, 
John 18. 6.  a gentle Answer in the Garden struck the rough Soldiers into a Trance, and a mild cast of his Eye at the Bar, 
Luke 22. 61, 62.  dissolved the treacherous St. Peter into a flood of Tears. These dark distant Representations being so full of Glory, how great must be that Glory, when more eminently displayed in the Place of its Residence? Such the Church will be taken to be by a true Christian's Faith, who there sees God reconciled, Principalities, and Powers dethroned, and all the other blessed effects of our Redeemer's Merits; and, 
Acts 7. 55.  looking up steadfastly into Heaven with St. Stephen, beholds the Glory of God, and jesus standing at the Right Hand of God. With what Humility, Awe, and Veneration should we then prostrate our Bodies, and elevate our Souls, 
Psal. 29. 9  to speak of his Glory in the Temple, 
Psal. 22. 22.  to supplicate and praise him in the midst of the great Congregation?  
2. Since God has promised particularly to regard, and to be affectionately gracious to Devout Petitions, which are offered in his own House, We must approach with Faith. Whatever Doubts of Acceptance former Rebellions, whatever Discouragements present Difficulties, scatter to obstruct, or stagger a Christian's Faith, yet is it gloriously built up, and confirmed by, borrows Life and Vigour from God's Promise of especial favour to them, that diligently seek him in the place which is called by his Name. From hence it enlivens, and transports a Pious Soul, wings Devotion, joins with the Heavenly Choir in singing Praises and Thanksgivings to him that sitteth upon the Throne, and to the Lamb; rivals the Ardour of flaming Seraphims; and all this Rapture and Ecstasy, while with the two Cherubims in the Ark of the Tabernacle (Ex. 37.) we surround the Mercy-seat. Let us therefore, in this goodly Seat of his Mercy, and of his Glory, make our humble Supplications unto him, as Solomon did at the Consecration of the Temple, O Lord God of Israel, have respect to the Prayers of thy Servants, that thine Eyes may be open upon this House Day and Night, 
2 Chron. 6. 19, 20.  which thou hast Chosen and Sanctified to the Honour of thy Name.  
THE END.