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and every branch of practical religion. And the same inspired writer speaks of our being established in Christ; that is, by exercise of faith in him, and continued supplies received from him. Strong faith greatly contributes to the stability of the soul; for though we are "kept by the power of God," yet it is "through faith unto salvation;" but where there is no faith, there can be no stability. "If ye believe not," says the prophet, " ye shall not be established." The self-confident, like Peter, are likely to fall; the self-diffident, like Paul, are likely to stand. "I will glory," says that venerable apostle, " in my infirmities; for when I am weak, then am I strong." Faith is to the soul what the anchor is to the ship, or the foundation to the building. The Christian in himself is like a reed shaken by every wind; but firmly united to Christ, he is like the sturdy oak, which braves the hurricane, and defies the fury of the

storms.

3. By confining the attention to one object. As the rays of the sun are concentrated by a burning glass, so the powers and passions of the soul are by divine grace fixed in one central point. The divided heart can never be a steady one; hence David prays, "Unite my heart to fear thy name." The man who has but one business, becomes well versed in that business; and as an established trade, so an established heart is the fruit of application. "This one

thing I do," says the apostle Paul (as if he had said, All other things in comparison of this are regarded by me with indifference, and here I exert all my energies), "forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press towards the mark;" that is, perfect conformity to God, and the perfect enjoyment of him. His endeavours and affections all carried him one way; the bias of his soul was towards God and heaven, and this made him an established Christian.

4. That peace and comfort, which is consequent upon the being and prevalence of grace, contribute much to the establishment of the soul in the ways of God. Establishment

tends to peace, and peace to establishment. They are reciprocal causes and effects. "The work of righteousness," says the prophet, "shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever." The more delight the saints take in duty, the more stedfastly they will persevere in it; for "the joy of the Lord is our strength." The fearful and disconsolate Christian is seldom an active one; but then we run in the way of God's commands when he hath enlarged our hearts. Grief contracts the heart; joy enlarges it; and an enlarged heart will be a stedfast and persevering one. The comfort of a good conscience is ast oil to the wheels of obedience; it puts life and strength into a man's actions. In all these respects grace establishes the heart, fits the soul for, and makes it stedfast in, all its operations. Hereby we not only choose, but hold fast, that which is good. I shall attempt to show,

III. Wherein the excellence and utility of this establishment appear; and, it appears

1. In the evils it prevents. If this be wanting, we stumble at difficult doctrines. "This is an hard saying," said some unestablished disciples, when Christ talked to them about eating his flesh, and drinking his blood. We are staggered by perplexing providences. "All these things are against me," says Jacob, when his faith was weak, and outward appearances were dark and threatening. Without this, we are exposed to temptation, and liable to become a prey to our spiritual enemies; we make but slow advances in the religious life; and if saved at last, yet it will be "so as by fire."

2. In the benefits and advantages that accrue from it. The possession of grace is very beneficial, but establishment by it is more so. It is not only an evidence of the existence of grace, but of the growth and increase of it; it dispels doubts and fears, and encourages a holy confidence in God; it makes heavy burdens light, and bitter afflictions sweet. The established Christian can sing and rejoice when others weep and mourn. It frustrates the devices, and arms us

agilist the assaults of Satan. He flees from the strong bellever, whilst he assaults the weak one. He tramples upon the latter, the former tramples upon him. It unites those virtues which seem most contrary to each other. The established saint can hope, and yet fear; be courageous, and yet humble: sorrowful, and yet rejoicing. These virtues, thus connected, make his life regular and pleasing. It fortifies against the terrors, and sustains amid the agonies of death. Every Christian will die safely; but the established Christian dies joyfully and triumphantly. In a word, this is the perfection of religion, the end of divine providences and ordinances; that for which ministers preach, and you hear. It conducts us comfortably through the changing scenes of life, and gives an abundant entrance into the heavenly kingdom.

By way of improvement. Let me exhort you earnestly to seek after this establishment. I recommend it,-it recommends itself. If you knew the value of it, you would not be content without it. Do not be satisfied with past or present attainments, but press towards the summit of religion a holy firmness for God. and constancy in his ways. Be ye also patient," says the apostle; "stablish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." In a word, seek it, and seek it where it is to be found-at the cross of Christ, and the throne of grace. You have no power to establish yourselves; but God is both able and willing to establish you. Let all your religious performances and improvements tend to this. "Covet earnestly the best gifts," but still keep in mind this more excellent way." I conclude with that most fervent wish of the apostle,"Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work."

SERMON XXIV.

ON THE WORK OF FAITH.

JOHN VI. 29.

This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

CHRIST is the Shiloh of God, sent upon important business, and every way qualified for it. He is called, therefore, "the messenger of the covenant:" for he was sent by virtue of the covenant to explain and fulfil it; to ratify it by his blood, and convey the blessings of it to his people. Now faith in this glorious messenger is absolutely necessary to salvation, and is here spoken of as a work, and the work of God; in both which respects we shall consider it.

I. As a work, it is distinguished from all other works; and yet it is itself a work, a needful work, and no other works can be performed aright without it. It is necessary to prayer; thus we read of the prayer of faith; to hearing, for the word preached does not profit unless it be mingled with faith; and to a profitable attendance upon divine ordinances. Without it, we can neither be useful in this world, nor happy in the next. It is a powerful work; hence we read of "the work of faith with power." Unsanctified reason, all the corruptions of the carnal heart, all the faculties of the unrenewed soul, the world with all its allurements, the devil and all his instruments, rise up against this work; yet it is carried on, and becomes victorious. It is a glorious and excellent work; hence it is called " precious faith." As gold among the metals, or the radiant sun among the stars,

against the assaults of Satan. He flees from the strong believer, whilst he assaults the weak one. He tramples upon the latter, the former tramples upon him. It unites those virtues which seem most contrary to each other. The established saint can hope, and yet fear; be courageous, and yet humble; sorrowful, and yet rejoicing. These virtues, thus connected, make his life regular and pleasing. It fortifies against the terrors, and sustains amid the agonies of death. Every Christian will die safely; but the established Christian dies joyfully and triumphantly. In a word, this is the perfection of religion, the end of divine providences and ordinances; that for which ministers preach, and you hear. It conducts us comfortably through the changing scenes of life, and gives an abundant entrance into the heavenly kingdom.

By way of improvement. Let me exhort you earnestly to seek after this establishment. I recommend it,-it recommends itself. If you knew the value of it, you would not be content without it. Do not be satisfied with past or present attainments, but press towards the summit of religion—a holy firmness for God, and constancy in his ways. "Be ye also patient," says the apostle; "stablish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." In a word, seek it, and seek it where it is to be found-at the cross of Christ, and the throne of grace. You have no power to establish yourselves; but God is both able and willing to establish you. Let all your religious performances and improvements tend to this. "Covet earnestly the best gifts," but still keep in mind this "more excellent way." I conclude with that most fervent wish of the apostle,"Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work."

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