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votions were terminated, and they might now hear for entertainment. How different is the representation and requirement of the Scriptures! "Take heed how ye hear,' the injunction of Christ. And let the reader only consult the two following passages, Acts x. 33; and 1 Thess. ii. 13, and he will be convinced of the solemn accountability attached to this part of worship, learn its nature, and feel the necessity of waiting upon it as a devotional exercise, in which his soul is to be engaged as in the worship of God. To render this exercise effectual for the purposes designed to be accomplished by it, the following counsels should be attended to. Let it be remembered it is the word of God that is heard, so there will be submission to its authority-that it is heard for the purpose of obtaining the forgiveness of sin, and attaining to all the ends of edification, so there will be a spirit of deep seriousness— that from the Scriptures alone we can learn the way and means of salvation, so the spirit of vain speculation will be checkedthat in order to attain to salvation, the Scriptures must be understood and obeyed, so will there be an earnest aspiration after the Holy Spirit for light and strength-that another opportunity of hearing the word may never be enjoyed, so will there be a deep sense of responsibility-that by these Scriptures men shall at last be judged and that every thing contained in them is righteous, and wise, and worthy of all acceptation. It is thus the word should be heardheard as though God addressed himself to us in a visible form, and with an audible voice. And were it so heard, it is easy to anticipate the consequences; it would effectually work in men unto the salvation of their souls, for it would be mixed with faith in them that heard it.

4. Blessing the people in the name of the Lord. It has appeared good to the Holy Spirit to furnish the church with a form of benediction, under both the Jewish and Christian dispensations. The former is recorded in Num. vi. 24-6; and the latter in 1.Cor. xiii. 14. These two are substantially the same. In both there is a recognition of Jehovah, as subsisting in three distinct persons-a solemn invocation addressed to each person of the Godhead, praying him to execute the office specially assigned to him in the economy of redemption--an act of worship addressed to Almighty God. Were we to speak of one part of public worship as more solemn than another, this is the exercise that should be named. And this observation is made here, in order to impress the duty of religiously attending to this part of the worship of God. By many it seems

to be regarded as no more than a decent close to the services of the sanctuary. This is evidenced by the hurried manner in which most of our assemblies break off their attention from it, their readiness to engage immediately in vain conversation, and the precipitance with which many hurry from the place of prayer, and the general carelessness about being present when the benediction is pronounced. There needs to be a refor mation in this instance. And we should seek to close the worship of God, as we have commenced it, and proceeded with it, in a spirit of deep solemnity, anxious solicitude, earnest prayer, and hearty submission. We should descend from the mount of God with his glory shining around us.

Such are the various parts of the public worship of God; and we shall conclude this brief sketch with a few remarks upon the manner in which they should be observed, if we would obtain the divine blessing upon them, and have them made effectual for the purposes of edification.

1. They must be waited upon with regularity. The necessity of a regular attendance on the means of instruction is at once admitted in all the subjects of science. The student who waited upon the prelections of the lecturer to-day, and neglected them to-morrow, would not be likely to derive much profit. A regular attendance on the ministrations of the sanctuary, then, is not less necessary; for wherever these are conducted aright there will be a chain of connexion in the various subjects discussed, which requires an uninterrupted attendance upon them, in order that they may be duly understood and felt. Not merely, however, is such attendance necessary, from the nature of the case; it is also enjoined by the sacredness of obligation. The members of a church are united for mutual edification; and with this view they assemble together in the place of prayer. An irregular attendance is, therefore, inconsistent with church membership, inasmuch as those who are guilty cast a temptation in the way of their brethren, either to imitate their example, or to judge unfavourably of them on account of their apparent neglect. Above all, God has forbid den such conduct by the most authoritative command "forsake not the assembling of yourselves together." Whether, therefore, we regard the nature of the case, or that of church membership, or the command of God, the blessing of the Lord can be expected on the ministrations of the word, in ordinary cases, only when they are waited on with uninterrupted and conscientious regularity.

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2. They must be observed with punctuality also. Punctu

ality is a most valuable grace; but it is one in which our churches are lamentably defective. We do not think it is a misrepresentation when we say, that in the majority of cases, the one-half of the church is not assembled when the service of the sanctuary is commenced. Were it not, indeed, that a few individuals in each church make conscience of a punctual attendance, no definite hour could be observed for engaging in public worship. Such conduct is not felt to be criminal; but this can arise only from the want of due consideration. The principle acted upon in such a case is, that the service of God ought to wait on the worshipper, instead of the worshipper waiting upon it. By this means the mind is unfitted to engage in the exercises of God's house, for this can be secured only by due preparation and thought; no time is allowed for serious reflection before engaging in the most solemn and responsible exercise with which men can be occupied; and the service that is thus commenced in an improper manner, is conducted throughout, and closed without edification. It is submitted to the reader, seriously to ponder, how much benefit might result to the worshipper, if he only was careful to occupy his place in the sanctuary at such a time, that, before its services commenced, he might have an opportunity of reading over such a portion of the divine word as the 15th Psalm, and seriously applying it to himself as a rule for self-examination. Such a practice as this would bring down the blessing of God upon our assemblies, and make them, as often as they occurred, seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.

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3. They must be waited upon, after due preparation of mind. It cannot be expected that men should hurry out of the business of the world, and as soon as they took their place in the sanctuary, be in a frame of mind for its hallowed employments. Such expectation is utterly unreasonable. When God was about to manifest himself to Israel, he commanded, -"sanctify the people, and let them wash their clothes, and be ready against the third day, for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people." And although the ceremonies of purification required of Israel are not enjoined upon us, yet does this passage teach us, that if we expect to meet God in his house, we must prepare for such a visitation. The preparation for which we plead consists in searching selfexamination, devout meditation, and the careful perusal of God's word, that thus we may be brought to a feeling sense of want and dependence, be drawn out into a frame of mind in accordance with his worship, and be ready to receive those

blessings of him which may be specially required. It was in such an exercise David had engaged when he said: "I will wash my hands in innocency, so will I compass thine altar, O God." And it is only when we make a similar preparation, we can, either scripturally or reasonably, 'expect his blessing upon the worship of his house.

4. The public worship of God must be waited on in prayer. This is a necessary part of that preparation which we have seen is necessary before we engage in the worship of God. This should be our spirit, as we approach to it, agreeably to the command, "keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear than to give the sacrifice of fools." It must be in this spirit the word shall be heard, too, the soul breathing the supplication of David, "open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." And the same temper and habit must be maintained when we depart from the house of God, for it is only he who can preserve the impression of his word on the mind; and it is by the continuance of that impression, good is effected. The house of God is emphatically the place of prayer; and it is only when we use it as such, we can hope to enjoy its blessings.

5. The public services of religion must be observed in faith. This is the testimony of God, "the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith." By reason of wanting this principle, the truth declared never became incorporated with the mind of the hearer. That is the avenue by which it gains access to the mind; and if it is closed, there is no entrance for the word. Just also in proportion to the vigour of this principle is the benefit that is received. "According to your faith be it unto you," said Christ; and just as we receive the word with a firm assurance of its truth, and confident reliance on its power for working its practical effects upon us, so will be the edification derived from it. Upon this principle, let the ignorant hear it, expecting to be instructed; the weak, that they may be strengthened; the wavering, that they may be confirmed; and the mourning, that they may be comforted. It is also of the operation of faith that each shall expect to receive his portion of meat while he waits for it. It is to be expected now, and not merely at some future time. The want of this exercise of faith is a principal reason of the inefficacy of religious ordinances. The true worshippers of God should be careful to cherish it. And then will they find, as Daniel did, that “while they are speaking," will a messenger be sent to assure them of their acceptance, and

grant them even more than the desire of their heart. So it was in the old time, as the reader may be satisfied, by consulting the following passages :--Gen. xxviii. 17; Matt. xvii. 4; Acts ii. 41.

6. The worship of God must be waited on with an honest determination to do the will of God, so far as it shall be learned and known. The man who waits in the worship of God, conscious that he is living in sin, and not resolved to abandon it, is a hypocrite. So also is he who is not purposed, that, so far as he discovers the will of God, he shall obey it. Neither of these can expect profit from the worship of God, but, on the contrary, condemnation and hardness of heart, We must lift up clean hands unto God; he requireth truth in the inward parts; and the formalist or the hypocrite is hate

ful in his eyes. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord,

Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father, which is in heaven." "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified."""Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own souls. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass. For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."

This is the manner in which the worship of God should be observed; and it is only when it is so observed, we can, scripturally or reasonably, expect that it will be blessed of God, and made effectual for the purposes of edification. It is true, God, in the exercise of his sovereignty, may send it with power to the hearts of some who do not observe it thus; but this we are not warranted to expect. His blessing is to be expected only in the way which he himself has prescribed; and as sure as it is so sought in the public worship of his name, will the worshipper find that saying true," whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the wind blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock."

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