who have turned out into the world the strongest, bravest men, have not
limited their worship to stated hours, even, but upon occasions of
unusual peril or unusual gladness have poured out to God their prayers
or their gratitude. Charnock, in his "Attributes," says: "As to private
worship, let us lay hold of the most melting opportunities and frames.
When we find our hearts in a more than ordinary spiritual frame, let us
look upon it as a call from God to attend Him; such impressions and
notions are God's voice, inviting us into communion with Him in some
particular act of worship, and promising us some success in it. When
the Psalmist had a secret notion
'TO SEEK GOD'S FACE'
and complied with it, the issue is the encouragement of his heart, which
breaks out into an exhortation to others to be of good courage, and wait
on the Lord: 'Wait on the Lord and be of good courage, and He shall
strengthen thy heart; wait, I say, on the Lord.' One blow will do more
on the iron when it is hot, than a hundred when it is cold; melted
metals may be stamped with any impression; but once hardened, will, with
difficulty, be brought into the figure we intend."