been more nutritious than all the dainties sent from the mo- narch's table0.]
2. On those who administer the ordinances —
[The priests who served in the temple, were clad with linen, to denote the purity that was expected of them. But they, who minister under the Gospel, provided they walk worthy of their high and holy office, shall be " clothed with salvation " itself: " in watering others, they themselves shall be watered;" and "in saving others, they themselves shall be saved." Nor is this a blessing to themselves alone ; for, in proportion as ignorant and ungodly ministers are a curse to those over whom they are placed, the superintendence of pious, intelligent, and faithful ministers must be esteemed a blessing.]
3. On those who attend the ordinances —
[The request made by Solomon was, that " the saints might shout for joy : " and God tells him that they shall shout aloud for joy : thus does God on numberless occasions give us more than we either asked or thought. A faithful dispensation of the ordinances is a source of joy to many souls. The saints especially, who receive the truth in the love of it, are often enabled by it to " rejoice with joy unspeakable and glorified." And this is a blessing, not to themselves only, but to the whole Church. By this they adorn, and recommend the Gospel ; and are stimulated to diffuse the savour of it all around them.]
Infer —
1. How little reason have mere formal worshippers
to think that they belong to the Church of God !
[The enjoyment of these promises is inconsistent with habitual formality : either therefore God falsifies his word (which it were the vilest blasphemy to imagine), or the formalist is yet an " alien from the commonwealth of Israel."]
2. How impotent are all attempts to destroy the Church d!
3. How strong is the Christian's obligation to serve and honour God !
[Does God so delight in his Church as to make it his rest, and to load it with so many benefits? Surely every member of it should testify his gratitude by a cheerful and unreserved obedience.]
c Dan. i. 12, 13.
A Ps. cxxv. 1. and xlviii. 12, 13. and xlvi. 5. and Matt. xvi. 18.
727.] THE BENEFIT OF CHRISTIAN UNITY. 4v29