Remarks on English churches, and on the expediency of rendering sepulchral monuments subservient to pious and Christian uses - Softcover
Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1842 Excerpt: ... been receptacles for human vanity; too long have the beauty and order of the Services of the Church been marred by the poverty and meanness of the buildings, in which they are celebrated. "The Church," says an eloquent Father, "is a place of angels, a place of archangels, a palace of God. If thou believest not, look to this Table, call to mind for Whose sake it is set, and why; consider Who it is, that is coming forth here; tremble with awe even before the time. For so, when one sees the throne only of a king, in heart he rises up, expecting the king's coming forth. And do thou accordingly thrill with awe even before that thrilling moment: raise up thyself, and, before thou seest the veils drawn aside, and the choir of angels marching forth, ascend thou to the very Heaven"." It is fully admitted, that pure and holy thoughts may arise, and fervent prayers may be uttered alike under raftered roofs, as in vaulted aisles; but so long n St. Chrysostom, on Corinthians xiv. Horn, xxxvi. REMARKS ON ENGLISH CHURCHES. 69 as man is influenced by external objects, will it be denied that, devotion would be heightened, nay oftentimes be produced, if greater attention were paid to holy places and holy things?" Manifest it is, that the very majesty and holiness of the place, where God is worshipped, hath in regard of us, great virtue, force, and efficacy, for that it serveth as a sensible help to stir up devotion, and in that respect no doubt bettereth even our holiest and best actions in this kind. As, therefore, we every where exhort all men to worship God, even so for performance of this Service by the people of God assembled, we think not any place so good as the Church, neither any exhortation so fit as that of David, 'O worship the Lord...
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