O Almighty God, who hast knit together Thine Collect. elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of Thy Son Christ our Lord: Grant us grace so to follow Thy blessed saints in all virtuous, godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys which Thou hast prepared for those who unfeignedly love Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CHRIST'S DOCTRINE OF WORSHIP.

MATTHEW Vi. 1-18.

O Lord, open Thou my lips,

And my mouth shall show forth Thy praise.

For Thou desirest not sacrifice, else would I give it :

Thou delightest not in burnt offering.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit:

A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.

PSALM li. 15-17.

IX.

CHRIST'S DOCTRINE OF WORSHIP.

THE Mountain Teacher has been laying down, Statement of

the Theme.

as we have seen, rules for holy living. He has declared to His disciples: "Except your righteous- Matt. v. 20. ness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven." He has pointed out various particulars as samples of the righteousness which He requires of His followers, summing them all up in the general precept: "Be ye therefore perfect, Matt. v. 48. even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect." But in the very effort to carry out these precepts of perfection there is a temptation to ostentation. Accordingly, the Lord proceeds to give His warning against display in religion :

"Take heed that ye do not your alms before Matt. vi. 1–18. men, to be seen of them; otherwise ye have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. When therefore thou doest alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do, in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men; verily I say unto you, they have their reward: but when thou doest alms, let not thy left