in the heart: they may be profitably used, as "means of grace," but they must not be trusted in, as if they worked by a kind of charm. Nor, on the other hand, are divine ordinances to be neglected because they are liable to some abuse; for many who disregard these ordinances, manifest no proofs of spiritual improvement and growth in grace. Although God is not pleased with superstitious offerings, and unmeaning ceremonies, and "will-worship," yet he will graciously receive those who "draw near" to him in humility and pious fear: he delighteth in the sacrifices of a broken and contrite heart; nor will he ever despise those who seek him in the exercise of repentance and faith.

We ought therefore to consider well our motives and views, when we approach unto God, that we may offer unto him those sacrifices of righteousness with which he is always well pleased. Let us earnestly desire that broken and contrite heart which he will not despise. One of the most suitable means of acquiring this humble and penitent disposition of mind, is, duly to reflect on the number, greatness, and beniousness of our sins in the sight of God; and on the punishment which is due to them 4 Coloss. ii. 23.

according to his righteous law. We ought to contemplate our gracious Redeemer as bearing the shame and chastisement of our sins, when he freely offered himself as a sacrifice, and endured the most afflicting agony in the garden of Gethsemane,' and at length "bore our sins in his own body on the tree," and died an accursed death that we might be restored to life and blessedness. Surely we cannot behold his bloody sweat, and crown of thorns, and grievous sufferings, and bitter sorrows, and excruciating pains, and meritorious death, without a broken and a contrite heart, remembering that God "made his soul an offering for sin," and "laid on him the iniquity of us all." We are assured that his heavenly Father was "pleased to bruise him," that he delighted in his offering as the means of glorifying his justice, and as the source of salvation to a lost world. He did not take delight in the sufferings of his Son, but he was "well pleased in him” and his arduous work, as being the completion of all the ancient types, and as the ground of accepting all humble penitents, who come unto him with a broken and a contrite heart, and who thankfully lay hold on his mercy and grace, which have been purchased for them at such an immense price. For his sake, God will r Luke xxii. 44. $1 Pet. ii. 24. * Isai. liii. 6, 10.

favourably receive us, when we present unto him the sacrifices of righteousness, the sacrifices of a broken and a contrite heart; even when we are not able to bring unto him any costly offering. Even the poorest person may bring this sacrifice, and God will not despise him nor overlook him; no, he will graciously receive him, and will abundantly bless him.

2. We may further observe, that it is a mark of real conversion in any one, when he is desirous of seeing the enlargement and security of God's Church on earth. The man who is truly concerned about his own salvation,, will also present his earnest supplications, unto God, beseeching him in his good pleasure to do good, unto Zion, and to build up the walls of his spiritual Jerusalem. If we ourselves are the sincere disciples of Christ; if we are humble. penitents and sound believers; we shall pray for the peace and prosperity of his kingdom;; according to our ability, we shall delight to do good to "the household of faith;"" and shall use all prudent means to make "known his name upon earth, and his saving health among all nations." It will be our delight to supply the wants of his poorer members, to comfort the

feeble-minded, and to support the weak; to build up the walls of his holy church, and to see all his professing people "walking in the truth," and " showing forth the praises of him

who has called them out of darkness into his marvellous light."

3. The true penitent experiences great joy and gladness on witnessing the favour and loving kindness of God which are manifested in his sacred ordinances. He loves the courts of the Lord's house, and is glad when they are crowded with his pious worshippers, with a multitude of those who humbly seek his face, and who desire to draw near unto him with acceptance through the worthiness of his beloved Son. If we are his people, we shall earnestly desire that God may be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, and we shall study to come before him with an acceptable offering, that he may graciously draw near to us, agreeably to his promise, and may plentifully enrich us with mercy and peace. We shall pray that both we ourselves and all his people may approach unto his altar with humble reverence, sincere repentance, and fervent devotions; with a lively faith in Christ our Saviour, and with

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y 2 John 4. * 1 Peter ii. 9.

* James iv. 8.

a thankful remembrance of all his benefits. The Lord's house is the Christian's Zion, and the Lord's table is the Christian's Altar, where he is no longer required to present offerings and whole burnt-offerings of various animals, but the sacrifices of righteousness, the sacrifice of a broken and a contrite heart, which our heavenly King will never despise.

Though we may not be able to bring any costly offerings of gold or silver, let us desire to give unto the Lord this acceptable sacrifice, this reasonable service, and to " present our bodies as a living sacrifice," that the Lord may delight in us to do us good, and may make us joyful in his house of prayer. "By him" also, as the Apostle exhorts, "let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate let us not forget: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." In all our offerings and oblations, let us constantly have respect to that great sacrifice of the Son of God in our nature, for whose sake our heavenly Father is pleased to grant unto us repentance and forgiveness, mercy and grace, and favourably to receive our defective services. Being then

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