Order, that the Mind of the Worship- SER M. per has always a new and pleafing Em- VIII. ployment. As the Priest has his Share in the Performance of these Offices, fo the People too have theirs; and in a much larger Proportion than belongs to them in any other Chriftian Affemblies. Each is employed in stirring up the other into an holy and affectionate Emulation of Heart and Voice; and they do therefore mutually provoke and kindle each others Devotion. 5. Iadd also, (in the laft Place) that the Service of our Sanctuary is particularly contrived to promote Attention by the decent, orderly, and folemn Manner in which it is performed. For it is neither on the one Side so very plain and fimple, as not to be able to rouze, nor on the other so fplendid and gawdy, as to be apt to distract the Mind It is. duly tempered between these Extreams, and partakes of either, as far as either is requifite towards creating and cherishing a found and reasonable, a warm SER M. and active Devotion. Pictures indeed, VIII. and Images, to which the Church of Rome in this Cafe has Recourfe, fix the Attention; but it is on a wrong Object. A Multitude of vain and pompous Ceremonies, a Variety of rich Habits and Ornaments, Mufick framed for Delight, without Improvement: These Things indeed may render an Affembly attent; but fo likewife would a Scene in the Theatre. The Devotion they produce (if indeed they produce any) goes no farther than the Senses; it is not that of the Heart and Spirit. But with us, all the outside of our Worship contributes towards the inward Life and Reality of it: Our Churches are decently adorned; they who officiate at our Altars are decently habited; our daily Service is performed, and our 6 Circumftance of our Worship is so or2 Sacraments adminiftered in a becom3 ing and reverend Manner; our Mu fick is always, or always ought to be, 5 grave and folemn. Every Part and 7 dered, as to infpire us with an holy Reverence and Awe, and so far to keep SER M. the outward Senfes awake, as their Vi- VII. gilance may be of Use to give Wings to our Devotion, and Vigour to our Minds. Since therefore we have fo many fignal Helps and Advantages towards worshipping God in his Sanctuary with an heavenly Frame and Temper of Soul, let us refolve from this Moment to make a due Ufe of them; to repair often to the House of God with holy Reverence and Awe, and to lift up our Hearts, together with our Hands, whenever we thus approach him, in the Beauty of Holiness. Which that we may all of us do, God of his infinite Mercy grant, &c. |