the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his
servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and
taketh hold of my covenant; even them will I bring to my holy mountain;
and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt-offerings and
their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar: for mine house shall
be called an house of prayer for all people."[126]
Now, Covenanting must be engaged in intelligently. Not merely must there
be a desire to perform the service; but there must be an enlightened
apprehension of its nature. "It is a snare to the man who devoureth that
which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry."[127] Applicable to the
intellectual discernment that true faith includes, as well as to that
grace in its spiritual character, is the declaration, "He that cometh to
God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him."[128] The Covenant children of God are taught of
him, and draw near to him as if He were not unknown, but revealed to
them in his grace. Though none can by searching find out God, nor find
out the Almighty unto perfection, yet those whom He saves know whom they
worship. According to the instructions delivered in his word, must be
the performance of every service of religion; and the character of God
as revealed, is that which must be apprehended in the discharge of each.
It was according to a Divine warrant and direction that the saints of
old entered into Covenant; and every lawful approach to him by vow or
oath requires a just appreciation of his character. "The Lord shall be
known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day, and
shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the
Lord, and perform it."[129] "This shall be the covenant that I will make
with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put
my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be
their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more
every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know ye the
Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the
greatest of them, saith the Lord."[130]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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