CHAPTER I.

THE WARNING.

In all matters relating to the worship of Almighty God, even nature, but more especially revelation, tells us that we must never approach the Divine Presence but with a mind spiritually alive to the holiness and the awfulness of the duty in which we are engaged. The very setting foot within the precincts of God's house must not be done without some thought of what that God is whose house we enter

"Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they consider not that they do evil. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God, for God is in heaven and

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CHAPTER L

THE WARNING

In all matters relating to the worship of Almighty God, even are, but more especially revelatio, tells as that we must never approach the Divine Presence but with a mind spiritually are the holiness and the awfulness of the day in winch we are engaged. The very sexing it within the pro cincts of God's house must not be done without some thongit of via that God is whos house we enter

Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear than to give the sacrifics of fuois, for they consig not that the aeri. E not rush wit mouth, and let no tiem heart be hasty to anything before Got for God is in heaven

thou upon earth, therefore let thy words be few." (Eccl. v. 1, 2.)

If this be the case generally, much more must it be the case in that peculiar and solemn duty which is the badge of the Christian man's profession -the Communion of the Lord's Supper.

"Draw not nigh hither. Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." (Exod. iii. 5.)

This was said by Jehovah to his servant Moses, when he was approaching the burning bush. And so would Christ say to the disciple who would approach his holy altardraw not nigh hither before thou hast put off thy shoes-put off thy carnal and worldly ways of thinking, put off thy lusts and passions, put off thy envyings and jealousies— prepare thyself this is God's more peculiar presence-the holy of holies-the Shecinahit is the body and blood of the incarnate Son of God" verily and indeed taken and received by the faithful."

But this principle of preparation is more specially set forth in Scripture in the following places.

First, in the delivery of the law on Mount Sinai. Three days' warning was given by Moses, in order that the people might be ready to hear God speak.

"And Moses went down from the Mount unto the people, and sanctificd the people. And they washed their clothes. And he said unto the people, be ready against the third day." (Exod. xix. 14, 15.)

Again, in the preparation of the Passover. Four days' preparation was commanded, as follows.

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Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb.....

"And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month.” (Exod. xii. 3-6.)

Again, in the renewal of the same most holy rite in the days of Hezekiah, the tone of