166 APPEARANCE ttFDRE GOD. worship, was, that theremight be a communication between God and man, who were so dreadfully separated -by sin : l-le knew the gracious promise, that where God recorded his name, there would he come and meet his people, and bless them; Ex. xx. 24. He knew what sensible tokens of divine presence were found in the sanctuary ; there was the ark of God, and the mercy-seat that covered it, upon which God dwelt in a bright shining cloud be- tween the golden cherubims, to signify his dwelling in light among the glorious angels in heaven-; 'beside the many sweet experien- ces which David had of sensible discoveries of God in counsel and grace, strength and consolation, in his public worship. And have not christians, under the gospel, as great a reason to expect the special presence of God among them in his. ordi- nances ! Are they not appointed on purpose to bring God near to us, and to bringus, near to God ? Have we not an express promise of God himself, dwelling in flesh, that where two or three are gathered together inhis name, he will be in the midst of them; Mat. xviii. 20. and is not Christ worthy of credit ? Have we not his word therepublished and preached? Doth not. God ap- pear there very eminently, inthe glory of his truth, in the beauty of his holiness, in the purity of his commands, in theterror of his threatenings, in the sweetness of his promises, in the wonders of his wisdom and power, and more amazing works of his grace and love ? Doth not the Lord discover himself there in the majesty of his government, in the miracles of his providence, and the divine glory of his fore- knowledge in prophecies exactly fulfilled ? Surely that, man must beblind-indeed, who sees not God in the scriptures. Will you say, " All this may be seen and read at home in private, as well as in a public assembly ?" But youmust remem- ber that even the written word of God was communicated to the most partof mankind only in public worship, for some thousands of years : for before the art of printing was invented, one bible was scarce tobe found in several hundredhouses, and very few of the common people were capable of reading ; nor could they know the written word, but by their attendance on the public ministrations of it. And in our day, how many are they who either do, or will know very little of religion, but whatthey hear at church. Besides the written word of God is given to be expounded by his ministers, that the gospel being preached at large, and the truths of it being particularly - applied, his presence and glory may appear therein. Many parts,of scripture are so obscure, that God stands, as it were, behind aveil, or a curtain, till, in the ministry of the word, the sense i§ explained, the veil removed, and God stands forth to sight in the open glories of his majesty, or his
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