I. God, who is present at all times and everywhere, has nevertheless appointed particular seasons and especial places in which He has promised to manifest Himself more clearly, more powerfully, and more graciously to men. The pious heart finds a temple of God everywhere. It is itself a temple of God. Yet even hence the need of other temples does appear, for what one good man considered by himself is, that God commands us all as a body to be. In order that we may all be thus united together as one man, we must have public assemblies, we must have visible temples, in which God, angels, and men may together meet.
II. From the consideration of the dignity and blessedness of men regarded in their relations to one another and to the holy angels, and as united for the performance of that work wherein their highest dignity and blessedness consists namely, intercourse with God the necessity which thence arises for the existence of holy places is clearly evident. (1) God commanded Moses to frame a tabernacle in which He might dwell among His people Israel. (2) The constant attendance of our blessed Lord at the public worship of the synagogue and that of the Apostles at the Temple afford sufficient proof of their opinion concerning this matter.
III. To keep our feet diligently is to order devoutly not merely our thoughts, but our words, looks, and gestures, lest we be guilty not only of irreverence towards God, but of folly towards ourselves and of sin towards our brethren.
C. Wordsworth, Sermons Preached at Harrow School,p. 22.
References: Ecclesiastes 5:1. J. G. Deirs, Penny Pulpit,No. 904; G. Brooks, Outlines of Sermons,p. 253; Plain Sermons by Contributors to "Tracts for the Times,"vol. vii., p. 191; J. Bennet, The Wisdom of the King,p. 252.Ecclesiastes 5:1; Ecclesiastes 5:2. C. J. Vaughan, Harrow Sermons,1st series, p. 358.