The sixth inference. and preparations himself for the building of the temple, but also (forasmuch as it pleased God that he should not put in execution what he had so religiously designed) take great care to instruct and exhort his son Solomon again and again, that he should be sure faithfully to discharge this great duty; and has not this man after God's own heart thereby taught all parents of wealth and ability, that they ought not only willingly to contribute themselves what they can to the building of churches, but also to take care that their children be sufficiently instructed, as to the great duty lying upon them to do the same, as occasions shall offer themselves? Did David expressly call the house he designed to build for God's service, no other than "a palace for the Lord God," and thereupon The seventh observe to the princes of Israel, that inference. the work was great, forasmuch as the house ought to be somewhat suitable to the Majesty, for Whose service it was built, and therefore stately and magnificent; and are not we hereby taught what notions we ought to have of churches? that we ought to look upon them, not barely as houses set apart for men to meet together for the performance of divine service, but also as palaces, wherein the Divine Majesty does well in a special manner, and wherein consequently God vouchsafes to meet with men in a special manner ; which therefore ought to be built, and always kept in such decent and beautiful repair and order, as is suitable to such palaces, and the abilities of those who live in the respective parishes. And if it so happen that any parish is not of ability itself to build, or support its church when built, after such a decent and beautiful manner; then it becomes the duty of others, who are of ability, to contribute liberally to the same according to their ability. The eighth Further, the consideration that our churches are no other than palaces of the Divine Majesty, teaches us, that they ought inference. not to be treated as common houses, but that there ought at all times, out of as well as in divine service, a solemn regard and respect to be shewn to them. And accordingly this is manded, Levit. xix. 30. no other than what God has expressly comYe shall keep My sabbaths, and reverence My sanctuary: I am the Lord." Where it is observable, that reverence to the place as well as to the day set apart for divine service, is jointly and equally commanded by God, and one and the very same reason given for both, namely, “I am the Lord." And I the rather take notice of this, because it very much serves to prove further the great and indispensable duty we lie under, to contribute liberally to the building and keeping churches in a decent and beautiful manner. For this is one principal way of shewing reverence to the sanctuaries of God, insomuch, that to have a reverence for any sanctuary of God, and at the same time wilfully to let it lie undecent, and go to ruin, are things contradictory and utterly inconsistent one with the other. I shall mention but one use more that may be made of the forecited passages of David's zeal for the house and service of The ninth and last inference. God. Is it then expressly left upon record that God said to David, "Thou didst well in that it was in thy heart to build an house to My name;" and is not this thus left upon record for our admonition, namely, to admonish and instruct us, that it ought likewise to be in our hearts, according to our ability, to contribute to the building of any house to God's name or service, where it is wanting? for is it not our bounden and indispensable duty to do whatever we know is acceptable to God, and is within our power? and consequently, since we thus evidently learn from this instance of David, that to build an house to God's name is a work most highly acceptable to Him, is it not our indispensable duty, to do all within our power toward performing a work so acceptable unto God? this chapter. Such are the uses which may and ought to be made of the example of David, that man after God's own heart, to teach and The close of convince us of the great and indispensable duty we lie under to contribute liberally to the building of churches. As for the motives, which may be drawn from the signal rewards that God bestowed on David for his zeal to His house and service, in order to excite and encourage us to the practice of the duty I am speaking of, I shall reserve them for the close of this discourse. CHAPTER VI. Containing such particulars as relate both to tabernacle and temple, and serve to shew the duty of contributing liberally, not only to the building or repairing but also to the beautifying and adorning of churches. COME now to consider such particulars, as relate much alike both to the tabernacle Particulars re- and the temple, and which serve to lating both to tabernacle and shew further the duty of contri temple. buting liberally not only to the building or repairing, but also to the beautifying and adorning of churches. We read then, Exod. xxv. 11, &c. that by |