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top of it; or have, by faith, been united to the Saviour, so that you have access unto him; think of your privilege. You stand in the favour of the Lord; he hears your prayers; he answers your requests; he promises that you shall sup with him and he with you. Say with the church, therefore, "We will be glad and rejoice in thee." And, whilst thus having your joy in the Lord, remember his love more than wine when you wish to be happy, take your pleasure from spiritual, not from worldly, things. These are at best of an earthly nature. The most refined literary pursuits, the gratification of the eye, or the mere intellect; though, like the banquet of wine, they have to a certain extent a pleasure, are not like those joys which flow from the love of Christ. This is the crystal fountain,-a fountain at which you may take the largest draughts without fear of intoxication. The love of Christ is like a cordial, -innocent, but strong; at once it inspirits and serenes. Oh that the Lord may give you more and more a taste for these spiritual pleasures! pleasures which are only a prelibation of that joy which is at his right hand for evermore.

Finally, my beloved friends, let us remember the words of the church; "the upright love thee. It is as if the Holy Spirit would give us a charge to aim at that standard of purity

upon which the lips of slander cannot even dare to breathe. It sometimes happens, that whilst in polished society there is a sensitiveness of propriety, which shrinks back from every thing which is in the least degree unbecoming; Christians, in the simplicity of their hearts, to a certain extent forget this standard, and lay themselves open to expressions of surprise or reproof. But how much do those words of the Apostle contain: "Whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise; think on these things *." In delicacy of feeling the spouse of Christ is to be surpassed by none; she is "the fairest among women;" she "looks forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners t."

* Phil. iv. 8.

+ Canticles v. 10.

153

SERMON IX.

THE PATERNAL CHARACTER OF GOD.

PSALM ciii. 13.

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

IT may, my beloved friends, with the greatest truth be said, that goodness and mercy are continually following us; that, though our path may at times be obscured by heavy clouds, still the sun again returns. There is no moment in the life of a Christian in which he may not anticicipate the joy of his Redeemer's advent; and very few in which he has not some pleasing prospect before him. For, such is the goodness of the Lord, that he delights to bless his family. He has instituted the weekly Sabbath, that they may, at least one day in seven, lay aside the cares of life, and anticipate the rest which remains for the people of God. So he commands his table to be frequently spread, that

the accustomed provisions of his house may be still further increased. Of this feast of Christian love he said, As oft as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come:" as if he desired that his children should again and again partake of this holy ordinance. To-day, my Christian friends, this sacred feast is set before us. Allow me to say, that I feel it a peculiarly privileged day it is the day in which the Great Shepherd permits me to meet that flock he has committed to my charge. It is my earnest prayer that he will follow with his heavenly blessing the discourses which his servants, who have so kindly assisted me, have delivered in my absence; and, now that in his gracious Providence we meet again, that a double portion of his Spirit may rest upon us. Oh that this may be a most blessed season! that the God of all grace may open the windows of heaven, and pour us down such a blessing, that there may not be room enough to receive it!

The subject, my Christian friends, which I have selected for our consideration, is in accordance with that secret privilege which is now afforded to us. We are to sit down together at the table of our Lord, and are to partake together of the emblems of his broken body and shed blood. But how are we to partake of

them? with the dread of those who, on the great day of atonement, were kept in the outer courts, whilst the high priest passed through the typical veil into the holy place? No, my friends it is with that veil rent in twain, with the separating wall taken down, and with an invitation to enter into the "holy of holies by the blood of Jesus;" and there to enjoy this Divine ordinance, as in the presence-chamber of the King. For this is the character in which the Lord plainly reveals himself to us,-as a Father, a reconciled Father, yea, a compassionate Father: for it is written, "As a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him."

In considering this passage of Scripture, I may mention, that, as if the more to attract our attention, it is surrounded by some of the most blessed declarations of the word of God. The

Psalm appears to have been composed by David in one of his most delightful frames of praise and thanksgiving; and, as usual in such a state of mind, the most pleasing thoughts are suggested to him. For this, my friends, will be found to be ever the case, that as we leave off our complaints and contemplate our mercies, so, by the Divine blessing, will delightful ideas press into our minds. Thus the true

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