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I. GOD HAS ALWAYS SHOWN A PARTICULAR RESPECT TO HOUSES SET APART FOR HIS WORSHIP. Nor is He less present with us than He was with His ancient worshippers. Now God, dwelling in a tent and a temple, prefigured the incarnation of our Saviour, who having taken upon Him our nature, dwelt, or tabernacled among us.

II. WORSHIPPING GOD IN SUCH PLACES IS MORE CONDUCIVE TO THE SPIRITUAL IMPROVEMENT OF THE WORSHIPPERS THAN ELSEWHERE.

1. The character and perfections of God never appear with such bright lustre as in the sanctuary, where numbers of His faithful subjects are assembled before Him, to present the sacrifices of prayer and thanksgiving.

2. The worship performed in the house of God is the most direct testimony of our homage and obedience.

3. Worshipping God in such places animates and strengthens us in our devotional exercises.

4. Worshipping God in the sanctuary contributes to promote peace and happiness among all orders and degrees of men.

III. THE IMPORTANCE OF A REGULAR ATTENDANCE UPON THE SERVICES THAT ARE THERE PERFORMED. Like the impotent man at the pool of Bethesda, we must continue our attendance till it please God to give a blessing to the means of His own appointment.

(John Ramsay, M. A.)

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KJV: The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

WEB: Yahweh loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.