d in the assembly of the saints, and to be had
in reverence of all them that are about him." That one word, _God_,
speaketh all. Either we must convert him into an idol, which is nothing;
or if we apprehend him to be GOD, we must apprehend our infinite distance
from him, and his unspeakable, inaccessible glory above us. He is greatly
feared and reverenced in the assemblies that are above, in the upper
courts of angels. Those glorious spirits who must cover their feet from
us, because we cannot see their glory; they must cover their faces from
him, because they cannot behold his glory, Isa. vi. What a glorious train
hath he, and yet how reverend are they? They wait round about the throne,
above and about it, as courtiers upon their king, for they are all
ministering spirits, and they rest not day and night to adore and admire
that holy One, crying, "Holy, holy, holy, the whole earth is full of his
glory." Now, how much more then should he be greatly feared and had in
reverence in the assembly of his saints, of poor mortal men, whose
foundation is in the dust, and in the clay, and besides drink in iniquity
like water? There are two points of difference and distance from us. He is
nearer angels, for angels are pure spirits, but we have flesh, which is
furthest removed from his nature. And then angels are holy and clean; yet
theirs is but spotted to(218) his unspotted holiness. But we are defiled
with sin, which putteth us farthest off from him, and which his holiness
hath greatest antipathy at. Let us consider this, my beloved, that we may
carry the impression of the glorious holiness and majesty of God on our
hearts, whenever we appear before him, that so we may serve and rejoice
with trembling, and pray with reverence and godly fear. If we apprehend
indeed our own quality and condition, how low, how base it is, how we
cannot endure the very clear aspect of our own consciences, we cannot look
on ourselves steadfastly without shame and confusion of face, at the
deformed spectacle we behold. Much less would we endure to have our souls
opened and presented to the view of other men, even the basest of men. We
would be overwhelmed with shame if they could see into our hearts? Now
then, apprehend seriously what he is, how glorious in holiness; how
infinite in wisdom, how the secrets of your souls are plain and open in
his sight, and I am persuaded you will be composed to a reverend, humble,
and trembling behaviour in his sight.