It is "builded together for an habitation of God, through the Spirit;" for he hath "chosen the tribe of Judah, the Mount Zion, which he loved and he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established forever." God himself is the householder, for he hath chosen Zion, and desired it for his habitation and here, too, dwell all the faithful. There is something very consolatory in the idea, that all the worthies now in glory, that ever trusted in Christ, were all members of that church which is one; and that all real believers are considered by Jehovah as forming a part of it, as united in Christ. It is a habitation that incloses all real believers, by whatever name they may be called amongst men, and however far they may be separated from each other on the wide earth, or wider seas: they are, in a spiritual sense, all lodged under the same roof, and all inhabit the house of God, whose house are we. This dwelling-place of the just, then, is remarkable for the security which is there enjoyed, and the peace which pervades the whole. It is " a quiet habitation;" here the Prince of peace takes up his residence, and dwells, and reigns: here "the work of righteousness is peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever;" and God's people dwell here in a peaceable habitation, and in "sure dwellings, and in quiet restingplaces." Those who reside in this habitation need not be afraid of evil tidings, but should rather have their hearts fixed, trusting in the Lord, and thus be quiet from fear of evil. Peace is the legacy which the Saviour left to all the members of his family; and it is promoted in and among us by the benign influences of the sacred Dove. Blessed then are the people that are in such a case; yea,

thrice blessed are they whose dwelling is Mount Zion. What a happiness it would be, if those of us who profess to be Christians, evidenced more of that pure affection to each other, which is "like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, that went down to the skirts of his garments!"

3. The church is described as an immoveable tabernacle. "A tabernacle," says my text, "that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken."

The church of Christ may here be described as a tabernacle, in opposition to the superior glories of the New Jerusalem in heaven; for it is true, that the church militant is but a tabernacle, when contrasted with the inconceivable excellences of the paradise of God. Divine glory is manifested to us, and known by us here, but in part; but there 66 we shall know even as we are known." There are grand discoveries reserved for us in heaven, and church-privileges laid up for the redeemed ones in the house not made with hands. As a tabernacle, brethren, the church of God may often change its place. This is shown us by the state of those cities in which once the cause of our Redeemer prospered, but where now his name is never heard. Here, Asia, I cannot but think of thee; for I behold the glory which once distinguished thy solemn assemblies, now shining in the churches of the saints in the British isles. Yes, brethren, though the place of the church militant may be changed, its situation altered, yet its privileges can never be taken away, nor can its stability be ever shaken, or its duration ever cease: for, as the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so

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the Lord is round about them that fear him," to show himself strong on their behalf. The Jerusalem church, though it might verify the promise in the text, by experiencing a long space of peace, and season of rest from war, together with the restoration and continuance of their sacred privileges, has now lost all its excellence, and Ichabod (the glory is departed) may evidently be seen inscribed upon it. The true church typified by it, the tabernacle referred to in our text, shall never be taken down whilst the world itself remains. A seed to serve him is secured to the Redeemer, as the reward of the travail of his soul, and a generation to call him blessed shall never be wanted whilst he is called Head of the church. The promises of the covenant, which declare that Zion cannot be removed, but abideth forever, confirmed by the invaluable blood of Christ, and the ordinances and institutions of his gospel, never can be shaken whilst they rest not only on the authority, but on the preserving power of Christ. These are things which cannot be shaken; and we may even rejoice, that, notwithstanding the rage of a hostile world, or of the enemy Satan, still the church's foundations are in the holy hills; the Highest himself shall continue to establish it; and to the end of time it shall be said of this and that man, that they were born there.

Having endeavored then to place before you the church of God, as described in the text, I would now,

II. Enforce that attention to it which it demands.

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My text says to all, "Look upon Zion." Here may say,

1. Look upon it, angels, with complacency and delight.

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We know that your exalted minds rejoiced at the idea of the erection of this temple of God; you saw the plan and admired it; nor less were you struck with amazement at the great grace which the blessed and holy Trinity displayed in putting it into execution. You have, with pleasure, often beheld our Jesus, from time to time, taking men, one of a city, and two of a family, and bringing them to Zion." Still, then, let its increasing honor be the subject of your investigation; surround its walls night and day; and minister for good to all its individual members: but ye need no exhortations from mortals on a subject like this; we know that you, with desire and praise, still look upon it; and this moment I hear you all unite in saying, "Zion is a place which we all desire to look into." Then leaving the angelic host to gaze upon the Zion of God, we would say,

2. Look upon it, sinners, with astonishment and desire.

To you who know not God, I would address myself, and say, "Look upon Zion ;" behold real Christians, in the union they experience, and in the temple where they worship, and remember that Zion stands, though you have endeavored to oppose it. Look upon Zion, sinner, and there you will see the arm of the Lord exerted in the success of a cause which you seem determined to oppose. Look upon Zion, and recollect, that though you have often said, "Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us," yet the Lord holds you in derision; and that your attempts against his cause are feeble and vain, and that your hope of success is an idle dream.

But we

would excite you to look upon Zion, that you may long to join its holy society, and unite in the solemn vows that are therein paid to the mighty Maker of heaven and earth. Can you behold its order, happiness, and joy, and not feel a wish that you might exchange the dissatisfaction and the melancholy you often experience, for the good of God's chosen, and the felicity of his heritage? Do not you think that "it will be an honor to appear as one new born and nourished here?" Go then, and express your wish to the great Head of the church, that he would "write the name of the Lord on your foreheads," and invest you with the privileges of the inhabitants of Zion. Again:

3. Look upon it, Christians, with wonder, love, and praise.

Of all characters in the world, it behoves you to "walk about Zion, and go round about her, to tell the towers thereof, to mark well her bulwarks, and consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generations following." Surely, as you reside in it, you ought ever to admire it, and call it "the city of your solemnities," a place to which you are no strangers, but which is the place you have chosen to dwell in. O, let your eyes ever see Jerusalem a quiet habitation. Gaze on it with pure affection towards all your fellow-citizens: you shall be blessed if you love Zion. Look on it then as the lot of your inheritance, and the place in which your soul delights; and ever praise, magnify, and bless Him who constituted it what it is, who made you to dwell in so quiet a habitation, so secure a resting-place be it your glory to be joined to the saints, and near to the Saviour.

All of us, in the presence of God, should look upon Zion; should contemplate the solemnity, the