I took this quote from the book I am currently reading called "Attending Upon God Without Distraction", written by Nathanael Vincent in the year 1695. In this quote Nathanael stresses the importance of not only attending (serving) God, but also to continually rely on God for the very ability and strength in which to do the serving, and to use His Word as our rightful guide.
"Man must plainly discern his ignorance and impotence to give a right attendance upon God, without the direction and aid of His Word and Spirit. Nay, as man lacks both skill and strength to serve the Lord, so he has no will to do it; there is an indisposition and even an ill disposition in him, which plainly shows that the light and grace of the Word and Spirit are of absolute necessity for an attendance upon God that is acceptable to Him. When man goes off from God and takes himself to himself in matters of religion, he ranges infinitely, like a seafaring man who has lost his compass in a mist, moving swiftly, but to no purpose. Then there shall be more words than what is written, more articles than what God has put into our creed, more commands that the Lawgiver ever gave; nay, more gods and more mediators than one. Man's invention will be fruitlessly fruitful, and himself restless and endless in his own ways. We should see our need of instruction and help from the Spirit of the Lord. Both light and liberty, strength and liveliness in all holy duties are from Him."
- Nathanael Vincent, Attending Upon God Without Distraction, Chapter 1, pg 12
