CHAPTER H. 143 feet of the Angel to worship him, supposing it had been our Lord ; Rev. xix. 10. And who could chuse but fall down to the dust, at the presenceof God himself i Kneeling is the most frequent posture used in this worship, and nature seems to dictate and leadus to it as an expression of humility, of a sense of our wants, a supplication for mercy, and adorationof, and dependence upon him before whom we kneel. This posture bath been practised in all ages, and in all nations, even where the light of scripture never shined : and if it might be had with conveniency, would certainly he a most agreeable posture for the worship of God, in public assemblies, as well as in private families, or in our secret chambers. There are so many instances and directions for this posture in scripture, that it would bè useless to take pains to prove it. So Solomon ; 2 Chron. vi. 13. Ezra ; Ezr. ix. 5. Daniel ; Dan. vi. 10. Christ himself ; Luke xxii. 41. Paul ; Acts xx. 36. and xxi. 5. Eph. iii. 14. In the last place, standing is a posture not Unfit for this wor- ship, especially in places where we have not conveniency for the humbler gestures. For as standing up before a person whom we respect and reverence, is a token of that esteem and honour which we pay him ; so standing before God, wherewe have not conveniences of kneeling, is an agreeable testification of ourhigh esteemof himwhom we th@n address and worship. There are instances of this gesture in theword of God. Mark xi. 25. Our Saviour says to his disciples, when ye stand praying ; and Luke xviii. 13. The publican stood ajar of and prayed. Standing seems to have been the common gesture of worship, in a large and public assembly ; 2 Chron. xx. 4, 5, 13. And in this case it is very proper to conform to the usage of christians with whom we worship, whether standing or kneeling, since neither of them are made absolutely necessary by the word of God. But I cannot think that sitting, or other postures of rest and laziness, ought to be indulged in solemn seasons of prayer,¡ unless persons are in any respect infirm or aged, or the work of prayer be drawn out so long as to make it troublesome to human nature to maintain itself always in one posture. And in these cases, whatsoevewgesture of body keeps the mind in the best composure, and fits it most to proceed in this worship, will not only be accepted of God, but is most agreeable to him. For it is a great rule that lie bath given, and he will always stand by, that bodily exercise- profiteth little ; for he looks chiefly after the heart, and he will have mercy and not sacrifice. 2. The posture of the several parts of the body, that are most agreeable to warship, and that may secure us from all inde- cencies, may be thus particularized and enumerated. As for the head, let it be kept for the mast part without motion ; for there
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