is is the condition of the promise,
"_If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you_, ye shall ask what ye
will, and it shall be done unto you." When, therefore, we are living in
sin, or in the neglect of duty, (which is the same thing,) God will not
hear our prayers. "If I regard iniquity in my heart," says the psalmist,
"the Lord will not hear me." Again; it is the regular ministration of
his word in the sanctuary, that God most eminently blesses for the
growth of Christians and the conversion of sinners. And when the
appointed means of grace are slighted, can any one expect the blessing
of God? Will he bless the means which you have devised, and preferred to
those of his own appointment? Do not, then, neglect the habitual and
regular attendance upon the public worship of God, whenever there is a
properly conducted assembly of orthodox Christians within your reach. I
would not dare neglect this, even if the reading of a sermon were
substituted for preaching.

Having, as I think, proved the obligation to attend public worship, I
will now notice a few particulars respecting the performance of the
duty.

1. _Attend on the stated ministrations of your pastor._ If there is more
than one church professing your own sentiments, in the place where you
reside, select the pastor who is most spiritual, and will give you the
best instruction. But, when you have made this selection, consider
yourself bound to wait on his ministry. Do not indulge yourself in going
from place to place, to hear this and that minister. This will give you
"_itching ears_" and cultivate a love of novelty, and a critical mode of
hearing, very unfavorable to the practical application of the truth to
your own soul. If you wish to obtain complete views of truth, if you
wish your soul to thrive, attend, as far as possible, upon _every_
appointment of your pastor. Every minister has some plan. He adapts his
preaching to the peculiar state of his own people, and frequently
pursues a chain of subjects in succession, so as to present a complete
view of the great doctrines of the Bible. Whenever you absent yourself,
you break this chain, and lose much of your interest and profit in his
preaching. I do not say but on special occasions, when some subject of
more than visual importance is to be presented at another place, it may
be proper for you to leave your own church. But, in general, the
frequent assistance which most pastors receive from strangers will
furnish