'
This is that pure worship and undefined before God and the Father,
of which St. James tells us; and says that it consists in this--'to
visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction; and to keep
ourselves unspotted from the world.'
In a word, this worship in the spirit, and in truth, is nought else
but the mind of Christ. To believe in, to adore the Father's
perfect goodness; to long and try to copy that goodness here on
earth. That is what Christ did utterly and perfectly, that is what
we have to do, each according to our powers; and without it, without
the spirit of obedience, all our church-going is of little worth in
the eyes of our heavenly Father.
Others, again, go into retirement for this week, and spend it in
examining themselves, and thinking over the sufferings of Christ.
And who, again, will blame them, provided they do not neglect their
daily duty meanwhile?
But they, too, need to keep in mind the mind of Christ, if they mean
to keep Passion Week aright.
They need it, indeed. And such a man, before he shuts himself up,
and begins to examine himself, would do well _to examine himself as
to why he is going to examine himself_, and to ask, Why am I going
to do this? Because it is my interest? Because I think I shall
gain more safety for my soul? Because I hope it will give me more
chance of pleasure and glory in the next world? But, if so; have I
the mind of Christ? For he did _not_ think of his own interest, his
own gain, his own pleasure, his own glory.
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