Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

gaged in them. Their worship was to be performed in a magnificent temple. The richness and grandeur of its structure, the purity of its materials, the constant attendance of the priests, the solemnity of the sacrifices— all these were calculated strongly to impress the mind with a sense of the Divine Majesty. In assembling at Jerusalem, the worshippers were necessarily withdrawn from their occupations and the cares of life. Neither the ordinary pursuits of domestic concerns, nor even the defence of their country, was to interrupt or divert their minds from these solemn assemblies:-thus realizing the declaration, that "he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Heb. xi. 6.

The sacrifices which were offered, were to be "without blemish." Lev. xxii. 20. Nothing that was sick or blind, or that died of itself, was to be presented as an offering to the Divine Majesty. In all this there was deep instruction. The whole subject was clothed with a dignity and solemnity peculiar to itself. Reverence, adoration, and confidence in God, were inculcated in all that pertained to that typical dispensation. And the greatest sincerity in the worshipper, and purity and perfection in the offerings, were requisites not to be dispensed with.

But all this form and outward glory were only shadows of good things to come. It was not the external rituals of the law, with all the pomp and splendour of the temple, that drew the regard of God to those who worshipped there. Neither "thousands of rams," nor "ten thousands of rivers of oil," were regarded in comparison of an humble heart. But these forms and ceremonies, and this outward glory, were dispensed in con

descension to their weakness; and designed not only to point to the Messiah, but also to teach them of the Divine Majesty, and the abstraction and solemnity which their approaches to Him required.

When our Lord was enquired of by the woman of Samaria, respecting worship, He informed her, that "God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him, must worship Him in spirit and in truth." John iv. 24. Worship was not confined either to the mountain of Samaria, nor yet to Jerusalem; but to be performed in "spirit and in truth," without regard to local situation or outward circumstances,

The apostle bore testimony, that "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands, neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though He needed any thing." Acts xvii, 24, 25. And therefore the worship retained under the Gospel, was of a pure and spiritual nature. Hence we believe, that our ap proaches to Him can only be in spirit, and that as a door of access is opened for us by Him who has the "Key of David." Rev. iii. 7. But without a preparation of heart, no ceremonies can be acceptable.

"When ye come to appear before Me, who hath required this at your hands, to tread my courts? Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto Me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting." Isa. i. 12, 13. If the Jews could not recommend themselves to his notice merely by outward forms and ceremonies, even during the continuance of that typical dispensation, much less can we, since those

ceremonies have been abrogated by the coming of Jesus Christ. We cannot consistently come before Him with a set form of words, prepared beforehand and committed to memory, because we know not what to pray for as we ought: and still less can we clothe these addresses in music, as if God would be pleased with tones and instruments of music, as the volatile and fashionable part of mankind; or as if the most solemn acts of devotion were to be converted into opportunities of amusement and creaturely gratification. When we plan our devotions to please our own ears, does not an important query arise, whether we serve ourselves and one another-or God, in these exercises?

This subject opens a field of serious enquiry, into which every religious denomination-nay, every individual, should impartially enter. I feel a solicitude that all may examine the subject for themselves; let nothing detain them in the outward court, which will be trodden down of the Gentiles-but, animated by the promises, and aided by the Influence of our Lord and Saviour, let them "come boldly unto the Throne of Grace,” into a holy union and communion with God. Heb. iv. 16.

When some formerly were urging our Lord to go to the Feast of Tabernacles, He said unto them, "My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.” John vii. 6. And his disciples can often adopt a similar language, feeling their utter incapacity, of themselves, for any good word or work; and that they know not what to pray for as they ought, without the helping Influence of the Spirit of Truth: and therefore they cannot presume to set about this solemn engagement, without the necessary qualification. For if "no man can call

[ocr errors]

Jesus Lord, but by the Holy Ghost," 1 Cor. xii. 3; how can any act of devotion be performed without this Influence! Neither prayer, praise, nor thanksgiving can be acceptable, unless it arise from a sensible feeling in our hearts, which is produced only by the operation of grace there. This brings us into a sense of our own condition, and gives access to the Father of Mercies. Worship performed without these qualifications must be will-worship, and as unacceptable as those outward pretences of the Jews, while their hearts were far from God.

We therefore believe it right, when we assemble for the purpose of Divine worship, to sit down in reverent silence; endeavouring to abstract our minds from all things but the One Great Object of adoration: and in this humble, waiting state of mind, to remain in silence, unless we should be favoured with the qualification and command for vocal language, in preaching, prayer, or praise.

God is a Spirit, and can be approached only by spirit. Hence vocal sound is not necessary to convey to Him the desires which his own Divine Influence has raised in our hearts. Language is only necessary to convey sentiments from man to man. Our Father, who seeth in secret, and who knows what we need before we ask Him, and who enables us, by the help of his own Divine Influence, to make intercession according to his will-sees, hears, and knows what thus passes in the secret of the heart, without the intervention of words.

When a number of individuals thus sit down in solemn silence, waiting upon God-their minds being abstracted from all inferior objects, and their spirits engaged in exercise for the arising of the Word of Life,

[ocr errors]

a spiritual communion is felt, and they are mutually helpful to each other. The heavenly virtue and solemnity is felt to flow as from vessel to vessel. For when a meeting is thus gathered in the Name and Power of Christ, He is often pleased to appear among them in great glory, revealed to that perception and quickened understanding, which is the effect of his own Divine work in their hearts. All this may be effected, though there may not have been a word spoken in the meeting.

There is, in silent worship, something so beautiful, so sublime, so consistent with the relation in which we stand to God, that it appears strange there should exist a single doubt of its propriety.

Besides the impossibility of our approaching the Supreme Being, without His helping Influence, and the unreasonableness of our supposing this Influence to be at our command, we may be "all with one accord in one place," under the influence of the "One Spirit," and each spreading his own peculiar condition, his wants, his sorrows, doubts, or humble acknowledgments, before his Almighty Friend, without confusion, without interruption to each other, but with a sensible increase of solemnity over all.

This worship depends not on priest or minister, Jesus Christ being Himself the High Priest and Minister of the true tabernacle, which God hath pitched, and not man. And here let it be remembered, that when we engage in acts of worship, or what may be called active devotion, without feeling the true qualification for it, but merely as a duty, and make use of a form of words prepared beforehand-our animal passions may

T

« AnteriorContinuar »