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rational, yet sinful and dying creatures, he hath made known to us a system every way adapted to renovate our natures, illuminate our minds, relieve our miseries, and conduct us safe to a happier world. "In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."* Here, then, amidst all the changes of time, and the awful ravages of death, we find a firm basis on which to build. Here we can behold God as our father, Christ as our mediator, and the divine Spirit as our comforter and guide. Here it is that we hear a voice, saying, "Son, daughter, be of good cheer, all thy sins are forgiven thee." Our attention is turned off from every thing here to centre alone in the chief good. Here we can approach the Almighty without trembling; and, without presumption, humbly hope for his benediction. Under the cross we can dwell without fear, and with wonder and delight behold our

* 1 John iv. 9, 10.

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guilt rolled away for ever. righteousness of our Redeemer, and participating the influences of his grace, we can rejoice with a joy unspeakable and full of glory. Yes, this, and this only is the support of man, under all the evils of life. This affords tranquillity within, while the tempest rages without. Welcome, then, all ye scenes of sorrow and trouble! Welcome, all ye vicissitudes of life, and harbingers of death! Yea, welcome death itself, and an eternal world! These shall not affright the renewed soul; these shall not damp the happiness of him who looks above, and aspires to glory and immortality. O how delightful, how suitable is the gospel of Christ! What affliction does not this sweeten; what loss does not this repair; what condition does not this make easy; what gloom does not this dispel!" Blessed are they that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance; in thy name shall they rejoice all the day, and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted."*

But let us observe here the striking contrast

* Psa. lxxxix. 15, 16.

between this delightful system and all other things. The one is said to fade, but the other shall stand for ever. We have already seen that every thing of a sublunary nature tends to decay: however excellent it may appear to our view, however valuable it may be considered in itself, or however desirous we may be of retaining it—it is of no consequence; mutability and dissolution are written upon all. But here is the Plant of Renown, that bears twelve manner of fruits; and which shall never cease to yield in the paradise above. For ages already hath the Gospel shed its influence among the sons of men. The powers of darkness, indeed, have done all they could to destroy the leaves which are for the healing of the nations. The tree of life has been surrounded with enemies. There, the savage barbarian, the refined philosopher, the malignant demon, the proud pharisee, the boasting infidel, and the wretched profligate, have all assembled for the purpose of its destruction. But how vain! Who can extinguish the sun? who can blot out a world? who can cause the heavens to depart as a scroll? who can grasp the ocean in his hand? As well

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might feeble mortals attempt to do this, as endeavour to injure that which is more dear to God, than all the material systems ever created by his all-powerful hand. "It endureth for

ever." Yes; it shall still continue to make progress. What! though enemies oppose, ignorance and infidelity strive, and the powers of the world unite against it. What! though the means may seem sometimes to be useless, and the faithful, promising servants of God be removed yet it must prevail. All the laws of nature must be reverted; the sun turned into darkness, the moon into blood, and the stars drop from their spheres, sooner than the purposes of Jehovah shall be disannulled. The gospel must live, and finally triumph. All mapkind, of every age and nation, shall be raised, and assembled to attend the funeral of the world; but none shall ever be called to witness the extirpation of the gospel. It is, therefore, justly designated everlasting; for it shall endure to the end of time, become victorious over all nations, and its happy effects felt for ever in a better world.

You, Christian, must shortly feel the stroke

of mortality. Heart and flesh must fail; but in that solemn moment you will find, more than ever, the suitability of this divine scheme. When not a single creature in the world can be of any service to you, this shall not leave you comfortless, but remain your support to the last. Then, when closing your eyes on all earthly scenes, when leaving your dearest relatives and friends, when the cold hand of the last enemy is upon you, you shall sing, “O death! where is thy sting? O grave! where is thy victory? Thanks be unto God, who giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ."*

V. Lastly. Observe, that both Man's Mortality and the Divine Clemency are to be claimed; for the voice said, Cry.

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The ministers of the sanctuary are not to dwell in solitude; they are not to live perpetually in the study, nor spend their time in silent meditation. They must come forth; they must cry aloud, and spare not; they must lift up their voice, to warn men of their danger, and to point them to the place of refuge. "I have set watch

#1 Cor. xv. 55.

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