1 Chronicles 13:9-11 And when they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.… Consider — I. THE IMPORTANCE OF RITUAL AND POSITIVE INSTITUTIONS, WITH THE PUNCTUAL OBSERVANCE WHICH GOD EXPECTS TO THEM. Amongst all the trials which have been made of human nature, in the way of worshipping a superior power, there hath been no instance of a pure and holy worship without somewhat of institution to fix the forms of it. Even a state of innocence did not subsist without a positive law for trial of our first parents' obedience. The first recorded act of worship after the Fall was apparently of a ritual and positive nature; since human reason doth no more direct to those sacrifices which we find offered to God by Cain and Abel, than it directs us to baptism or the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. The gross superstitions of the heathen world were manifestly owing to the want of an authorised ceremonial in their worship. II. THE ENCLOSURE OF THE SACERDOTAL OR PRIESTLY FUNCTION, WITH THE DANGER OF INVADING OR THROWING IT OPEN. III. THE RESPECT WHICH IS DUE TO A RELATIVE HOLINESS. IV. THE INSUFFICIENCY OF A GOOD OR INNOCENT INTENTION TO WARRANT AN IRREGULAR OR FORBIDDEN ACTION. V. THE REVERENCE AND PREPARATION OF HEART WHEREWITH WE SHOULD APPROACH THE SOLEMN OFFICES OF DIVINE WORSHIP. VI. THE DANGER OF AN UNAUTHORISED, OFFICIOUS ZEAL. (N. Marshall, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. |
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