exhibit to us the necessity of a solemn preparation of heart for an appearance in the presence of God. When Moses was preparing to prostrate himself before the dread majesty of God, who 'ap'peared unto him in a flame of fire out of the • midst of a bush,' he was commanded to put off his shoes from off his feet, and informed that the place whereon he stood was holy ground, being consecrated by the peculiar presence of Him, in whose smile is heaven, and in whose frown is hell. What was the meaning of this injunction? Was it merely an external act of respect that was required? Surely not. The putting off his sandals was designed to be an outward and visible token of an inward and spiritual frame of mind ; a reverential disposition of soul suited to a creature, when standing in the presence of his Creator; to a sinner, standing in the presence of his Saviour and Judge. So let it be observed, that the answerable modern custom of uncovering our heads at our entrance into the church, or of placing our hats before our faces previous to taking our places in the pews, is not sufficient to characterize us as true worshippers of God, or real members of our church; but a flagrant mockery of Him whose presence we only pretend to reverence, unless the outward token of respect be accompanied by suitable feelings of heart. When we recollect what God is, even Exod. iii. 5. the high and lofty One, who inhabiteth eternity, • who dwelleth in the high and holy place, and is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity; when, on the other hand, we consider ourselves as vile reptiles of the dust, as born in sin and shapen in iniquity;' we shall perceive the propriety of a reverential awe, when we venture to tread His courts; for surely this God is greatly to be feared in the assemblies of His saints, and to be • had in reverence of all that are round about Him.' When we reflect on the wretched state to which the fall has reduced us, the vanity of our minds, and the sad indisposition of our souls to every thing that is Divine and spiritual, we shall see the necessity of exerting all our powers, as preparatory to the solemn worship of God; and after all our efforts, confess our inability to • quicken our own souls,' and that the prepara❝tion of the heart in man is from the Lord,' from whose almighty grace alone we can derive the power to offer Him acceptable service. The compilers of our liturgy were sensible of these things; and therefore have wisely appointed, that at the opening of public worship the minister should read, according to his discretion, some one or more of the sentences, which they have chosen and prefixed to the morning and evening prayer. These preparatory sentences they have copied from the book of God, in order that their authority may be incontestable, and their influence on the minds of those who hear them, more powerful than any thing of merely human invention or authority could be expected to be. • When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth 'that which is lawful and right; he shall save • his soul alive.' Ezek. xviii. 27. I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.' Psal. li. 3. Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all • mine iniquities.' Psal. li. 9. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a • broken, and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.' Psal. li. 17. Rend your heart, and not your garments, and • turn unto the Lord your God: for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, and repenteth Him of the evil.' Joel ii. 13. To the Lord our God belong mercies, and • forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against Him: neither have we obeyed the voice of the • Lord our God, to walk in His laws, which He • set before us.' Dan. ix. 9, 10. O Lord correct me, but with judgment, not in Thine anger, lest Thou bring me to nothing.' Jer. x. 24. Psal. vi. 1. Repent ye for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.' Matt. iii. 2. • I will arise and go to my Father, and will say unto Him, Father, I have sinned against heavIen, and before Thee, and am no more worthy to be called Thy son.' Luke xv. 18, 19. Enter not into judgment with Thy servant, O Lord; for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified.' Psal. cxliii. 2. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ⚫ ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we ⚫ confess our sins, He is faithful and just to for• give us our sins, and to cleanse us from all un' righteousness.' 1 John i. 8, 9. It would take up too much time to analyse these several well chosen passages: we must therefore content ourselves with taking a general survey of their object, as here introduced. They are evidently selected with a view to the different classes of those, who may be supposed to appear in the house of God; and are designed to excite in them emotions suitable to the refined nature of His worship. It would be extending charity beyond all the bounds of probability, were we to suppose that all our worshippers are such as worship God in spirit and in truth. A considerable portion of our congregations may be supposed to consist of persons unacquaint ed with the first principles of the oracles of • God.' Many, we have reason to fear, who have a competent knowledge of other things, know but little of their Bibles, and the information therein contained respecting the way of salvation by Jesus Christ. Notwithstanding all the means of grace, with which in this highly favored land we are indulged, there are many, alas! who continue strangers to themselves and Jesus Christ, Whom to know is life eternal.' There would be no difficulty to find in every parish some unhappy persons, who are even in theory ignorant of the doctrines of the fall and its consequences, and the necessity of salvation by the cross of Christ; and many more, who, while the theory of these doctrines floats lightly on their understandings, have no real experience of the truth of them in their hearts, and exhibit none of their practical effects in their lives. Such persons then are here instructed in the necessity of self-knowledge, by being led to consider, that if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.' And oh ! what an awful deception it is for a dying man to fancy himself in perfect health, and on this groundless presumption reject the only remedy that can save life; not the life of the body, for that would be of little consequence, but the everlasting life of the precious soul. By the example of David in the 51st Psalm, such persons are 1 |