A Prayer Unto Christ
The sermon emphasizes the importance of direct prayer to Christ and the dangers of seeking aid from other sources, as well as the need to praise Christ alone and display His glory in all we do.
Michael Wigglesworth preaches about the importance of worshiping God alone and not mixing praises to Him with praises to false gods or idols. He emphasizes the need to pray only to God in Christ and to avoid any form of blasphemy or impurity in our worship. Wigglesworth urges believers to seek guidance from the Holy Spirit in praising God's holy name and teaching others His ways.
Text
The Judge Of The World
O Dearest Dread, most glorious King,
I'le of thy justest Judgements sing:
So thou my head and heart inspire,
To Sing aright, as I desire.
Thee, thee alone I'le invocate,
For I do much abominate
To call the Muses to mine aid:
Which is th' Unchristian use, and trade
Of some that Christians would be thought,
And yet they worship worse then nought.
Oh! what a deal of Blasphemy,
And Heathenish Impiety,
In Christian Poets may be found,
Where Heathen gods with praise are Crown'd,
They make Jehovah to stand by,
Till Juno, Venus, Mercury,
With frowning Mars, and thundering Jove
Rule Earth below, and Heaven above.
But I have learnt to pray to none,
Save unto God in Christ alone.
Nor will I laud, no, not in jest,
That which I know God doth detest.
I reckon it a damning evil
To give Gods Praises to the Devil.
Thou, Christ, art he to whom I pray,
Thy Glory fain I would display.
Oh! guide me by thy sacred Sprite
So to indite, and so to write,
That I thine holy Name may praise,
And teach the Sons of men thy wayes.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Direct Prayer to Christ
- The Blasphemy of Christian Poets
- The Importance of Praising Christ Alone
- Christ as the only source of guidance and inspiration
- The need to display Christ's glory in all we do
Key Quotes
“Thee, thee alone I''le invocate, For I do much abominate To call the Muses to mine aid:” — Michael Wigglesworth
“But I have learnt to pray to none, Save unto God in Christ alone.” — Michael Wigglesworth
“Thou, Christ, art he to whom I pray, Thy Glory fain I would display.” — Michael Wigglesworth
Application Points
- We must be careful not to seek aid from other sources in our prayer, but instead direct our prayers to Christ alone.
- We must be mindful of the language and imagery we use in our worship, avoiding anything that may be seen as blasphemous or heathenish.
- We must make it our goal to praise Christ alone and display His glory in all we do.