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ER; on thefe Accounts, He Himself pronounces them bleffed, and gives them an abundant Entrance into the Joy of their LORD.

But what can exprefs, or who can imagine their Happiness, when they take up their Abode, in the Palaces of Heaven; amidst the Choirs of Angels; and under the Light of GOD's Countenance! When they poffefs the Hope of Righteousness +; when they wear the Crown of Righteousness; and receive that great, that eternal Salvation, which is an adequate Kecompence for the Humiliation and Agonies of JESUS CHRIST the righteous \\.

-Come then, my dear Theron, let us henceforth be as Branches, ingrafted into the heavenly VINE; derive all our Sap, all our Moisture, all our Confolation, from his Fulnefs. Let us live upon our allfufficient REDEEMER, as the Ifraelites fubfifled on their Manna from Heaven, and their Waters from the Rock; and not wish for other, as we cannot poffibly enjoy better Sustenance.

Ther. Is this the Meaning of our LORD's Exhortation, when he fhews the Neceffity of eating his Fleft, and drinking his Blood?

Afp. It is the very fame. A repeated and inceffant Application of our SAVIOUR's Merits, for all the Purposes of Piety and Salvation, is the Kernel of this Nut, the Meaning of this Metaphor.-When we habitually advert to JESUS CHRIST, as dying for our Sins, and rifing again for our Juftification; performing all Righteoufnefs, that we may be intitled to an eternal Crown; and interceding in Heaven, that we may be filled with all the Fulness of GOD: Then we eat his Flesh, and drink his Blood. Then we derive a Life of folid Comfort, and real Godliness, from lus mediatorial Offices; Ar 15 951 juft

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tGal. v. 5.

2 Tim. iv. 8.

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juft as we derive the Continuance of our natural Life, from the daily Ufe of alimentary Recruits.

OUSNESS.

Ther. Your Difcourfe brings to my Remembrance that magnificent and beautiful Paffage in Scripture, where CHRIST is called THE SUN OF RIGHTE Your Doctrine fets the Comparison in a very advantageous Light; gives it the utmost Force, and the greatest Propriety. The Righteousness of CHRIST, according to your Account, is as extenfively useful in the Chriftian Life, as the Beams of that grand Luminary are in material Nature.-The Sun fills the Air; where it diffufes Light, and creates Day. The Sun penetrates the Ocean; from whence it exhales Vapours, and forms the Clouds. In the vegetable Creation, the Sun raifes the Sap, and protrudes the Gems; unfolds the Leaves, and paints the Bloffom; diftends the Fruit, and concocts the Juices. Turn we to the animal World; the Sun delights the Eye, and gladdens the Heart. It awakens Millions of Infects into Being: and imparts that general Joy, which every fenfible Creature feels. Indeed, there is nothing hid from the Heat thereof.

Afp. Thus the LORD JESUS CHRIST, that true and only Sun of Righteoufness, arifes on his People with Healing in his Wings *. So various, fo efficacious, and fo extenfive are his Influences. Like a Sun, He inlightens and inlivens: like Wings, He cherithes and protects: like a Remedy, He heals and reftores. And all, by virtue of his Righteoufnefs, on account of his Righteoufnefs.-Nor can we doubt, nor need we wonder, if we confider its Nature and its Author. Its Nature; it is confummately excellent, has every Kind, and every Degree of Perfection. Its Author; it is the Righteoufnefs and Obedience of that incomparable PERSON, in whom dwells all the Fulness of the GODHEAD.

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It must therefore-You will permit me to fum up in a Word, what has been difplayed at large-It muft be fully anfwerable to the Demands of the Law, even in its highest Purity, and utmost Exactnefs. It is infinitely fuperior to the Demerit of Sin, and intirely abfolves from all Guilt, intirely exempts from all Condemnation. It is a moft valid and never-failing Plea, against the Accufations of Satan, and the Challenges of Confcience.It establishes an undoubted Title to every Bleffing, whether in Time or in Eternity, whether of Grace or of Glory. It is a fure Support for the Chriftian, in an Hour of Defertion, and in the Agonies of Death. Cafting Anchor on this Bottem, he may difmifs every Fear, and ride out every Storm. Leaning upon this Staff, he may go down to the Repofe of the Grave; and neither be appalled at the folemn Harbingers of Diffolution, nor terrified at its far more awul Confequences.-The Merit of this Righteousness, and the Power of its DIVINE AUTHOR, will unfeal the Tomb; will bring forth the fleeping Duft from the Chambers of Putrefaction; and build up the whole Man into Immortality and Glory. By this he will be prefented without Spot; prefented faultlefs + yea, be prefented perfect ‡, and with exceeding Foy, before the Throne.

What a Gift then is the Righteoufnefs of CHRIST! Bleffed be GOD, for all the indulgent Difpenfations of Providence! Bleffed be GOD, for all the beneficial Productions of Nature! But above all, bleffed be GOD, for the tranfcendent and unfpeakable Gift of CHRIST-For the unfearchable and infinite Treasures of HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Eph. v. 27. + Jude 24.

Col. i. 28.

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