We shall finish this argument with obferving a few things more particularly, concerning the fociety with whom Gentile converts fhall mingle in the better world, which have the most direct tendency to promote the fpecial happineis of each, the coinmon blifs of all.

As creatures, the patriarchs and prophets are all derived from the fame common stock with Gentile converts, who fhall likewife fit down in the kingdom of heaven: for, in the language of Paul to the Athenians, "God hath made of one blood "all the nations of men, to dwell on all the face "of the earth," Acts xvii. 26.

However thefe fages of Ifrael might excel-in knowlege or wildom, in courage or strength, confidered as men ;-with whatever honours they might be clothed, and to whatever ftations railed above others who fhall meet and fit w th them in glory-yet, when they are traced back to their common original, every such distinction evaporates, and all fuch circumftances totally disappear.

A new creatures, the patriarchs and prophets owe the change-produced, promoted, and perfected in them, to the fame cause that other faints owe their converfion and falvation, "the grace," namely, "of our Lord Jefus Chrift," 2 Cor. viii.

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There was no previous excellency, no forefeen beauty in the former, more than there is in the latter, to recommend them unto God:--the one as well as the other were laid, and muft lie under everlafting obligations to him. for every part of their redemption, whether viewed in a negative or pofitive light, conferred in time, or enjoyed through eternity.

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who make the least appearance upon earth, may cut the moft thining figure in heaven.

As creatures and new creatures, both the patriarchs and prophets had the fame probationary state to go through, the fame enemies to encounter, and the fame warfare to accomplish, that other faints either had or have. Sin, Satan, and the world, were no lefs fources of trial and diftrefs to those, than they have been, or muft be, to thefe. Nay, the circumftances are fo fimilar, that an infpired writer exhorts after-faints to keep the fame tract, in order to reach the fame goal: "Be not flothful, (fays he) but followers of them, who through "faith and patience inherit the promifes," Heb. vi. 12.

The patriarchs and prophets entered into the world of pitits by the very door through which all the after-heis of glory have paffed, do, and will pafs to the poffeffion of their kingdom*. The decree againft the common head, Duft thou art,

"and unto duft thou shalt return," had a virtual refpect to his whole offspring, as appears from the New Teftament interpretations of it. "It is uppointed (fays the author of the Epifle to the Hebrews) unto men once to die :" Heb ix. 27.- and that we might labour under no uncertainty, with respect to the extent of that appointment, it is declared elsewhere, that, as by one man fin "entered into the world, and death by fin; death paffed upon all men, for that all have finned:" Rom. v. 12. All men without distinction or exception,

"The grave itfelf and all the doleful fcenes of mortality are rendered by far the lefs formidable, "fince it is but our dwelling a little while with fuch "facred duft, in obfcurity and filence, to arife toge"ther at laft in glory, to be for ever with the Lord " -The Rev Mr. Sam Bury's dedication to the Account of his lady's life.

tion, the ancient patriarchs and celebrated prophets, as well as the most inconfiderable heirs of falvation *.

The uniformity of the whole ranfomed family, is the only other circumftance we fhall condefcend upon, as vaftly conducive toward the perfection of future happiness t.

The want of this in the militant church, is one conftant fpring of trial to the travellers of hope. Unholy perfons lurking under a profeffion of Chrifianity, or their brethren in Chrift themfelves influenced by illiberal and devious principles, marr much of the believers joy, and manffeftly impede the communion of faints: but, in all that fociety, there thall not be an unholy perfon, nor one faint otherwife minded than the reft. Their views, feelings, and whole exercifes fhall all bend one way, and meet in the fame point without variation or feceffion for ever. To this happy ftate of things,. the words of the prophet may well be applied, that "Jerufalem fhall be holy, and no ftranger fhall

pafs through her any more ;" Joel iii. 17. and the ftill more expreffive words of ths. Apoftle can be applied to no other state: "There hall in nɔ wife enter into" the city, "any thing that de

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* Enoch, indeed, and Elijah were exceptions from this general rule; but, when all the friends of Jefus fhall meet on the morning of the refurrection, it will appear that the fpirit of the law was fulfilled in them, and that their bodies underwent the fame change by tranflation, that the bodies of other faints do by means of their reduction to dust

Tully's beautiful aphorifm will apply, in its utmost extent, only to the heavenly ftate.-.-" Sed, om"nium focietatum, nulla præftantior eft, nulla firmior, quam, cum viri boni, moribus fimiles, funt familia"ritate conjuncti."---CICER. De offic. lib. 1. cap. 17. fileth,

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"fileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie; but they which are written in "the Lamb's book of life," Rev. xxi. 27.

IMPROVEMENT.

Is it fo that God our Saviour hath gracious defigns upon the nations? Then fee

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What praife is due to him upon that account, His love in prompting, his wisdom in devifing, his juftice in approving, his faithtulnefs in fecuring, his power in executing, and his holiness as running through the whole amazing plan of grace, fhould be noticed, admired, and adored by us; and our gratitude for redemption expreffed in all the ways, by all the means of his own appointment. If all his works praife him, fhould not his faints bless him for this, the chief of his works and ways?

That the converfion of Gentile finners, in general, and of any among ourselves in particular, may be confidered as a partial accomplishment of our Lord's promife in the text, an immediate ground of praife to him for being mindful of his grace and truth, and a foundation of hope, that he will do as he hath fad till the converfion of all the heirs of promife be eff&ted: for he being a rock, his work must be perk &t.

That Gentile converts of us fhould be concerned to pray much for the farther accomplishment of this promife: The great numbers of unconverted perfons, evident from abounding infidelity and wickedness; the reftraints which feet to lie upon the effufion of converting grace; together with the general indifference about the accomplishment of this promife" which prevais, are not the only arguments; Their prefent incapacity

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incapacity of fuch a concern, who most need converting grace, and the infallibility of our Lord's promife, that even fuch perfons fhall be faved with this holy calling, are confiderations of weight, and fhould have influence on your importunity in prayer. It is particularly worthy of notice, that the most remarkable feasons of converfion, wherewith the churches of the New Teftament have been bleffed, were generally preceded by an unufal diligence and fervour in prayer. Should your concern be attended with fuccefs, the converfion of others would be as life from the dead ;-it would be as a new converfion to your own fouls. And this would more efpecially hold, in aa far as thofe who are nearest and dearest to you were made partakers, with their fellow-finners, of converting grace. Pray, therefore, for the effufion of the Holy Spirit upon others, as well as yourselves; -upon thoughtless finners, as well as your fellowfain's;-upon the preachers, as well as hearers of the gofpel;-that "the parched ground" may "become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water."

The peculiar need that unconverted perfous have to rouse, awake, and arife from the dead. While you have accefs to the gofpel, your cou. verfion may take place; but if you believe not the report, your ruin must be inevitable.

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ny Gentiles have been apprehended by grace, whofe outward advantages were not greater than yours. Since the commencement of the present century, vaft numbers, not only in Britain, and the United Provinces, but America, have been obferved to "Ay as the clouds, and as doves to their windows." Old, young, and little children, -rich and poor-learned and unlearned,-the openly profane, and carnally fecure, the Ethi

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opians