Both Outward Devotion and Inward Affection

Tears and mourning for sin, when it comes from inward grief, is a temper well befitting any man. It is not an unmanly or base thing. When one has to deal with God, he must forget his state and take the best way to meet with God. This is evident by many instances, for David, though a man of war, yet when he had to deal with God, he watered his couch with his tears (Psa. 6:6); Hezekiah, though a great king, yet he humbled himself (Isa. 58:1). Our blessed Saviour himself did it with strong cries and tears' (Heb. 5:7) when he had to deal with God. When we have to deal with God, then all abasement is the mere minimum. 'I will be yet more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes,' said David (2 Sam. 6:22). Let us say when we have to deal with God; I will be yet more undignified, and so cast ourselves down before the Lord. All expression of devotion is the minimum, be it without hypocrisy.
A warning concerning outward actions alone; for most have thought wrongly of devotion and humiliation. They think that devotion is only in outward actions; as in a little hearing, or reading, or praying. Whereas in truth these outward acts do only make up the body of devotion, which, without the soul, namely, the inward religious affection, is no better than a dead carrion. Our outward expression must come from the apprehension of the goodness, mercy, and justice of God, before whom the very angels veil their faces. It is not outward devotion that will serve the turn; if I go pray, and kneel, and express all outward carriage, in the meantime neglecting to stir up the soul to worship God; I will be judged at the last day. Therefore, let all holy actions come from within first, and then to the outward man. Let us work upon our hearts a consideration of the goodness, justice, majesty, and mercy of God, and then let there be an expression in body.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
Josiah's Reformation, pp. 94-97 [73-75]
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