1 . His meekness and modesty —
[He approachts God, as a sinner ought to do, with reve- rential awe. He exhibits none of that unhallowed boldness, and indecent familiarity, which are so commonly to be noticed in the prayers of many at this day. It is much to be lamented that many address God almost as if he were an equal. We speak not now of that irreverence with which people, altogether igno- rant of religion, conduct themselves in the public services of the church; (though that is deeply to be deplored;) but of the state of mind manifested by many religious people. Ministers, as well as others, in their public and social addresses to the throne of Heaven. How different, alas! is it from that which is incul- cated, both in the Scriptures"", and in the Liturgy of our Church ! In the Liturgy, the people are exhorted to " accompany their Minister with a pure heart and humble voice to the throne of the heavenly Grace \' and, in another place, ^' to make their humble confession to Almighty God, meekly kneeling on their knees.'* This is a lovely state of mind, and as opposite to that which many religious people manifest, as light to darkness. Many whose religious principles differ widely from the self-applauding Pharisee, resemble him very nearly in his spirit and conduct : but let us, on the contrary, imitate the publican, who, " not venturing so much as to lift up his eyes to heaven, smote upon his breast, and cried, God be merciful to me a sinner."]
2. His humility and contrition —
(He felt himself a guilty and undone creature, deserving of God's everlasting displeasure : and hence he cried so repeatedly for mercy and salvation. And here again we see how the same views and dispositions are inculcated in the services of our Church. Let any one peruse the confession which is daily
offered or that which we are taught to utter at the table
of the Lord or let him read the responses after every
one of the Ten Commandments or the repeated cries,
" Lord, have mercy upon me ! Christ, have mercy upon me ! Lord, have mercy upon me !" and he will see at once, what a beautiful harmony there is between our Liturgy and the holy Scriptures ; and what distinguished saints all her members would be, if the spirit of her Liturgy were transfused into their minds. This is the state of mind which above all we would recommend to those who desire to find acceptance with God : for " to this man will God look, even to him who is of a broken and contrite spirit":" this is the sacrifice which, above all, God requires, and which he has assured us " he will never despise p."]
3. His faith and love —
[David
"" Eccl. v. 2. with Ps. Ixxxix. 7. " Isai. Ivii. 15. Sc Ixv. 2.
P Ps. 11. 17.