In his ordinances
But in a more special way they see God in his ordinances. Whether they appear in the great congregation to pay him the honor due to his name, and worship him in the beauty of holiness, or enter their rooms and there pour out their souls before their Father who is in secret (Matthew 6:6), whether they search the oracles of God, or hear the ambassadors of Christ proclaiming the good news of salvation, or, by eating that bread and drinking that cup, proclaim his death until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:26) in the clouds of heaven, in all these appointed ways they find such a near approach as cannot be expressed. They see him, as it were, face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12), and talk with him as a man talks with his friend (Exodus 33:11), a fit preparation for those mansions above, in which they shall see him as he is (1 John 3:2).
1771 text
8. But in a more especial manner, they see God in his ordinances. Whether they appear in the great congregation, to pay him the honour due unto his name, and worship him in the beauty of holiness; or enter into their closets and there pour out their souls before their Father which is in secret: whether they search the oracles of God, or hear the ambassadors of Christ proclaiming glad tidings of salvation; or by eating of that bread, and drinking of that cup, shew forth his death till he come in the clouds of heaven: in all these his appointed ways, they find such a near approach as cannot be exprest. They see him, as it were, face to face, and talk with him, as a man talketh with his friend: a fit preparation for those mansions above, wherein they shall see him as he is.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 23 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:8-12.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.