Page:Two Sermons on the Duty and Joy of Frequent Public Worship.djvu/29

Christians, believing what the Bible says, acknowledging that inspired men knew what is good for the immortal souls of the children of God on earth, better than they do themselves, then they will acknowledge that daily public worship must be a privilege, at least to many; that if they cannot attend it they have a loss; that if they could attend it—not as a mere form, or because they must, but willingly and gladly, because it is a pleasure and refreshment to their souls—it would be better for them; they would be in a higher state than they are. And certainly this I say, that there are many women, many servants, many persons of various kinds, who, if they had more faith in God's Word—more of that love of God which makes a man delight in all that helps him to hold communion with God and with His people, having and departed—(for surely, as God is true, we have fellowship with Saints in Paradise, in the public assemblies of His Church Militant)—I say there are many persons, who, if they had more of living faith and love, would attend church frequently on week-days; who yet, as it is, are seldom seen within its doors from one Sunday to another, and only once then. And if they did attend, and were asked why they did so, I think they might answer simply,—"Because I believe the Apostles knew better than I do what brings the soul near to God; and I find that they and God's saints, in all times, have delighted in frequent—yes, even in daily—public worship. That is enough for me; I had rather live on earth by their judgment, than by my own. And besides, when I have the habit of it, and do it heartily, because I love God, then I do learn to understand the pleasure that David and the Psalmists felt in their ancient services in the Temple. I do learn to see why these services were such a pleasure to them, and how they could say while wandering in the wilderness, "How amiable are Thy dwellings, Thou Lord of Hosts! my soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord;" and "I was glad when they said unto me, We will go into the