When explaining how God's presence can be said to be nearer in congregational worship, Burroughs writes, "...when we come to worship God , we come to be near God and with God, because the duties of His worship are those means that the Lord has appointed for the letting out of Himself in the glory of His goodness and mercy to His people. We may expect more communication of God's goodness through the duties of His worship than in any other way" (pg. 45).
With this single idea Burroughs paints a truly heavy and solemn picture of the duty of worship. God is known in a "peculiar and special" (pg. 41) way through these means that He has appointed. How then could it be approached with flippancy? Why would it ever be considered trite? It is of utmost importance to behold the glory of Lord, so that we may be changed into His image, from one degree of glory to the next (2 Cor 3:18). Ought we not to expect this divine gift each week as we meet for worship?
Therefore my question is this: How seriously ought we to take our preparations for Sunday worship with the people of God? We may laugh at Burroughs' chiding of his flock for "...gaming until one o'clock at night..." (pg. 57), but it's really not silly charge in light of his serious assessment of the worship of the true God. Do we view the worship of God in the assembly of His people with the same expectant gravity?
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