nation only, but over heaven and earth, angels and men. "I am appointed King by Him over Zion" (Ps. ii. 6), and not for a limited time only, as are the kings of the earth, but "forever and ever." (Ex. xv. 18.) Consequently, every service and duty, all homage and tribute which subjects owe to their prince, are due in an eminent degree from you to your King. Examine whether you have hitherto performed your duty.
II. What would you do were some earthly prince or potentate to visit you? How carefully would you put your habitation in order, lest anything might offend the prince's eyes! How much more pains ought you to take to adorn your soul, and render it a fit habitation for the King of heaven, who condescends to visit you in the holy Eucharist! "A house is preparing, not for man," as the prophet says, "but for God." (1 Par. xxix. i.) The women mentioned in the book of Esther, spent a whole year in preparing themselves to appear but once before king Assuerus: "For six months they were anointed with oil of myrrh, and for other six months they used certain perfumes and sweet spices." (Esther ii. 12.) How much greater care ought Christians to employ in preparing themselves to appear worthily before their Lord!
III. Princes of this world are accustomed to send before them furniture and provisions befitting their dignity, to the place which they intend to visit. Entreat Jesus Christ to do the same in your regard, to relieve your spiritual poverty. Besides, if you wish to entertain Him, as He desires, you must divest yourself of every carnal and worldly affection, and listen with all submission to His interior inspirations. "Incline thine ear and forget thy people, and thy father's house," says the royal psalmist, "and the King will greatly desire thy beauty." (Ps. xliv. 11.)
