But where do we find any account of a gorgeous and elaborate ritual in heaven? We do, I acknowledge, read of one gorgeous dress “of purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls;” but that was on the harlot. In all besides there is perfect simplicity. The bride has no dress but “fine linen, clean and white;” and when the elders were honoured with crowns, they cast them at the feet of the Lamb, that all eyes might be fixed on Him, and all heaven give Him His honour. Nor was there any gorgeous ritual under the law. It is true that the high priest wore a dress adorned with precious stones and the most costly material that could be procured, but that was for the simple reason that what he wore was typical of the glorious attributes of our blessed Redeemer. But the dress of the ordinary priests was perfectly simple. And as for ritual, it was minute because it was prophetic: it was a pictorial prophecy, and therefore of necessity accurate. But in other respects we find no directions whatever. The argument therefore completely falls to the ground; and we have to consider simply the position occupied by ritual in the New Testament. And what do we find there? Absolutely nothing: not even in the administration of the sacraments do we find a single direction beyond the name and the water in Baptism, and the use of bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper. Beyond these points not a hint is given. Whether it should be received standing, sitting, or kneeling; what words should be used, and who should use them; whether there should be a liturgy or extempore prayer, and indeed whether there should be any prayer at all,—all these things are left without any notice in the Word of God.