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ent Christian finds utterance in some part or other of the service. But it is not to any particular part of the liturgy that I would point you as peculiarly adapted to prepare the mind for the reception of divine truth, but to the general effect and impression of the whole. We might indeed observe, that after the language of deep confession has been poured out in the affecting words of the church, the glad tidings of salvation must meet the ear with peculiar propriety. And having confessed that we are unable to do any thing as of ourselves, and earnestly prayed for the assistance and grace of God, his promises revealed in the gospel must reach our hearts with great energy. And when we have besought the Lord to give "all his people increase of grace to hear meekly his word, and to receive it with pure affection," we are more likely to lend an attentive ear to the preaching of the truth. These remarks might be extended to every part of the service.

But consider the effect of the whole, and then observe how it tends to reduce the mind to a state of preparation. The happy union of prayer and praise, the beautiful intermixture of the word of God, our meditations, confessions, and devout aspirations after spiritual blessings, and our solemn and animating psalmody, must kindle the spark of devotion in every bosom, must banish the cares and pleasures of this lower world from the mind, must make the most trifling person thoughtful, and must disarm the opposer of half his prejudices.

In a beautiful and exquisitely finished painting it is not merely the talent displayed in the execution of each particular part of the subject, but the admirable effect of the whole that constitutes the merit of the picture: so of the church service: it is not merely that every devotional feeling is so well expressed in our liturgy, but that the general effect of the whole is so powerful to make a solemn impression upon

the mind, and to render it docile, teachable, and disposed to "receive with meekness the engrafted word."

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They therefore, who slight or despise the prayers, are quite as culpable as those who extol the prayers and undervalue the preaching of God's word. Solemn public worship is as much a divine ordinance as preaching: in the one we hold awful converse with God, and in the other we have the message from heaven delivered to us. Not only so; one in a measure depends upon the other; it is only devout and earnest prayer that can fit the heart to receive the truth profitably. God's blessing upon his word preached will be withheld from all those who do not seek it in constant prayer and without that blessing, and without the assistance and teaching of his Holy Spirit, what is the most eloquent discourse but "as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal?" As St. Paul declares, "Paul may plant and Apollos water, but God alone can give

the increase."

All the learning of the

most profound theologian, and all the eloquence of the most finished rhetorician, will fail to produce any abiding effect upon the heart and conscience, unless the word be both preached and heard in faith and in dependence upon the grace and instruction of the Holy Spirit. We shall hear the preaching of the cross with a careless, unhumbled, and unprofitable ear, unless we devoutly join in those spiritual services which prepare the way for its reception.

These considerations may suggest the great impropriety which attaches to a late attendance at the house of God. This has already been noticed; but we need" line upon line, and precept upon precept," upon this subject. It is a great disrespect to the service of God, a serious interruption to the devotion of others, and discovers an indifference to the most solemn and interesting portion of the liturgy. Yet how often are the touching and affecting voice of confession,

and the solemn and encouraging words of absolution, drowned in the general confusion of persons, who by approaching the house of God after the service is commenced, show that they are not sufficiently anxious to join in public prayer! But of this we may be sure, that they who are early in their attendance, and serious and earnest in their devotional services, will be most likely to profit by the preaching of the cross of Christ. Where there is the spirit of grace and supplication, there also will generally be found the "hearing ear and the understanding heart.'

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I would close this subject with some general exhortations respecting the spirit and temper with which the gospel should be heard. There is an awful interchange of responsibilities between a minister and the people committed to his charge. He is called in scripture a watchman, and a shepherd. If he fail to warn the sinner of the evil of his ways, and that unhappy man die in his sins, his blood

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