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of the Old Testament; and the moral rules and precepts are all given as having their foundation with him. Christ and his redemption are also the great subject of the history of the Old Testament; and even the history of the creation is an introduction to the history of redemption, which immediately followed. In short, the whole bible is a recorded attestation of Him, who is the same yesterday, and to-day, for ever; the history of his church, of his kingdom, and his people. All is filled with the Gospel, only with this difference-that the Old Testament contains the Gospel under a veil, but the New contains it unveiled, so that we may see the glory of the Lord with open face.

But, my brethren, there is still another consideration to which we are awakened by the apostolic admonition. That state of things to which he refers, is called a New Heaven and a New Earth; and though reaching to the end of time, is only in him a repetition of the prophetic promise, Behold I create a New Heaven and a New Earth, and the former shall not be remembered nor come into mind; but be you glad, and rejoice for ever in that which I create; For

behold I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. For as the New Heavens and New, Earth which I make still remain before

me, so shall your seed and your name remain. If this expression be made typical of our Saviour's advent, and the establishing of a spiritual worship on the destruction of the carnal ordinances of the law, and the altars of Heathen idolatry, it cannot wholly relate to it; for as yet the Jewish nation have only to mourn the destruction of their Jerusalem. It must therefore be typical of another state of things, wholly figurative to us, but which we know will be accompanied with an advancement of the church into that state of the glorious prevalence of truth, liberty, peace, and joy, of which we so often read in the prophetical parts of scripture, and which will close with the advancement of the church to consummate glory in Heaven.

What momentary triumphs may yet be permitted to the ungodly, and what trials may await the faithful, are hidden from us in the womb of time. It is true we have seen our Deliverer, but we still await in expectation of our deliverance We have been rescued from bondage, but are still

travelling through the wilderness of this world to We have known our Redeemer,

a land of rest.

but we still are ignorant of the fullness of his redemption. So far as the kingdom of Christ is set up in the world, so far is the world brought to its end, and the eternal state of things established; so far are all the great changes and revolutions of the world brought to their ultimate issue. But the opposition to his kingdom has not ceased; and the spirit of Antichrist, under every form, must rage upon the earth, before, by the last and fatal overthrow of his enemies, the machinations of Satan shall all be turned into occasions of triumph-before Christ shall appear to fulfil every promise to the faithful, and to pour down vengeance upon all the despisers of his name.

In an age like the present, and in the present temper of our times, we can hardly speak of these things without fear and trembling. And when an unrestrained wildness of human imagination is let loose against the sober and sure knowledge of the holy scriptures; when a speculative atheism is running down all serious religion, and a Christian people is familiar

with every instruction, but that which is derived from the word of God; to see so many without Christ, without God in the world; and to be assured of the terrible judgments that will overtake them-is among the painful duties of useless exhortation.

But however the plan of his mercy may be slighted, it is still our part to persevere, and to proclaim, that the same divine testimony which compels an universal acknowledgment of the one true God and Father of all, at the same time bears witness to the majesty and perfect fullness of his Son Jesus Christ; that the same testimony which sets that Son in opposition to idols, demands our lowliest reverence to Him in unity with the Father; that it calls reason home from her wanderings in a wilderness where no path is to be found, and shews her, by the light of faith, that Jesus Christ is the only way by which we can come to the Father; that in Jesus Christ alone, who of GOD is made unto his kingdom, righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption, a world condemned and dead in sin can find forgiveness and renewal of life. Upon a belief in this testimony alone shall we

be enabled to feel its value or to prove its truth; the scriptures of GOD afford the only immoveable ground of our confidence, the sole foundation of our consolatory hope, and that bond of peace, of brotherly love and charity, which may not be untied by the changes and chances of this mortal life. From the ineffectual wisdom of this world let us therefore return to Christ the power of GOD, and the wisdom of GOD. Believing in Him who is the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever-in Him which is, and which was, and which is to come, the ALMIGHTY-let us rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, and finally through his mercies may we receive the end of our faith, even the salvation of our souls.

SERMON VI,

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