Directives On How We Should Behave
During Public Worship (III)

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Directive 14

Do not just listen to the congregational prayers. You do not come to worship to hear prayers, but to pray. Kneeling itself is not praying. It is a position to show that you pray humbly. If you are prayerless even in the house of prayer, you add hypocrisy to impiety. Remember to pray daily and as a church and beware of prayerlessness that is displeasing to God.

Directive 15

Stir up your hearts in a special way to bring joy when you sing praises to God. The Lord's Day is a day of joy and thanksgiving. The praises of God are the highest and holiest activity in this earthly life. And if you ever should do anything with all your might and with a victorious spirit, do this. Be glad that you can join the gathering of God's people in heart and voice in such a heavenly activity.

Do not let your prejudices against God's servants or church music spoils your joyous worship. Do not refuse proper helps to make your soul excited to praise God.

Directive 16

Be very serious about the sacraments and do not miss any of them. Think of what great benefits you come to receive from the Lord in the receiving of the sacraments. And consider also the spiritual duties you have promised God in the covenant. We should come to the sacraments with a solemn, holy and reverential attitude. Do not let some differences in church administration and interpersonal problems prevent you from coming to God's holy ordinance.

Directive 17

Perform all your worship to God in the spirit of oneness and unity and in the church you served. In your heart, join in fellowship with the saints of Christ's churches upon earth. Although you can only be present some times, try being our utmost present with the members of the churches in their edifying events.

Directive 18

Pray with all your heart for the church of Christ both privately and publicly in the church prayer meetings.

Directive 19

Consider how the angels worship God in heaven. Imitate their zeal and energy in Sabbath worship in the fear of God.

Directive 20

Let your whole life be an act of worship before God. Live in love with those whom you worship together. Do not quarrel with them at home or church, nor despise or be indifferent or persecute them. Do not open up the weaknesses of the deacons, elders, preachers, missionaries and ministers to make others prejudice against him and the worship they lead. And be not religious in church only (but throughout the week), for then you are not truly religious at all and can be an act of hypocrisy, self-righteousness and disobedience to God.

Jack Sin, Adapted and edited from Richard Baxter (1615-91),
Christian Directory, Chap IX - Christian Ecclesiastics.