5. Filial spirit of the prayers of the church

5. Filial spirit of the prayers of the church

By this the christian religion is distinguished from all others. It teaches us to offer our addresses unto God as our Father; to come unto him, not as a servant unto his master, but as children to a parent, confident of finding audience and acceptance with him. 'Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba, Father.' To the Jew, the Lord God is a being of terrible majesty, repelling every presumptuous approach to him. To the Christian he is one of endearing kindness and condescension, inviting him to draw nigh with confidence. To the one, he appears in stern and awful sanctity; to the other, in the mild majesty of love.