the word of God and followeth it, the same is him. And again, whosoever refuseth to hear the of God and follow the same, is damned. So election is sure if we follow the word of God."* Hereby GOD CARRIES ON OUR SANCTIFICATS! All Christian graces are nourished and strengthened. a due regard to Christ's word. We have seen, regeneration and faith are thus given, and all hol is thus advanced in us. Our Lord prays to b Father for his disciples-Sanctify them through s truth; thy word is truth. John xvii, 17. They are most eminent for holiness, are among those are at the same time the most constant and diligent attending the ministry of the Gospel. Christian reade we appeal to you, how often has your heart, when and lifeless, hereby been stirred up and quickene How often have holy resolutions been thus first expe in your mind! How certainly all your religion wou humanly speaking, have died, had it not been for afresh-quickening and new-reviving power of the Gospe It is called, and it is found to be a savour of life w life. Every sinful disposition and affection is checked and curbed, every holy and heavenly desire and feeling is nourished and strengthened, while we are humbly waiting for divine instruction in the way of Godi appointment. The manifestation of the Spirit (whether it be the word of wisdom, or the word of knowledge, a any other gift) is given to every man to profit withal, (1 Cor. xii, 7, 8.) both for himself and for others. Every part of the word is designed for our good; let none, then, of the precious seed be lost. * See Latimer's Sermons, vol. ii, p.425. ertain e died, 1 E SPIRITUAL COMFORT OF THE BELIEVER AINTAINED AND ADVANCED. The Gospel is ispensation of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter. It od tidings of great joy. The office of ministers comfort the people of Christ, as well as to awaken careless. And O what full and abounding comfort e is to the tried, afflicted, and burdened Christian Che rich promises of a free pardon, a full and gratuis justification by Christ, the gift of the Holy Ghost, ❝d the new covenant well ordered in all things and sure! aristian reader! have you never gone to the house of riod weary, disquieted, and sorrowful, and there heard bword in season, and returned calm, and peaceful, and happy? Have you never there experienced some of of me he cheering consolations which flow from the divine love often shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Spirit, and the bestblessedness and excellence of that peace of God which estas passeth all understanding? This has been the happy experience of the servants of God. David says, Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound; they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. To taste the love of Christ to us, and to feel emotions of strongest love to Him, this is heaven begun below. O how the hearts of the hearers of the Lord must have been comforted when he asked the question, Who is my father, and who are my brethren? and he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother, and my brethren! And he said unto them, My mother and brethren are these which hear the word of God and do it. The very assurance that in duly regarding that word we are fulfilling a plain duty, and attending to our highest interest, may well comfort us; and the doctrines of the Gospel truly received are an unfailing spring of happiness. heavenly ned, while og in the Ton of the S The word of for others ood; let Our SOULS ARE RIPENING FOR THE GLO COME. Not merely temporal benefits, but a pes tion for eternal, is connected with a due rega Christ's word. Our Lord asserts, He that here's words, and believeth in me, hath everlasting life, shall not come into condemnation, but is passed j The best manuscripts add, es swingiav. See Griesbach and } Reader t o discentes which make 2210 ture blessings, and the way in which God fits and s up his children for the family above. herever the Gospel is preached, there, to a larger maller extent, these blessings are imparted to those faithfully hear it. But we have hitherto only coursed of blessings given in this life: let us look ward a little. Blessed are they that do his commandnts, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may er in through the gates into the city. Rev. xxii, 14. What then are the happy results of faithful hearing, as ey regard eternal life? Let us look at it only in one int-the PERFECT KNOWLEDGE OF GOD WHICH E SHALL THERE ATTAIN. Now, under the clearest iscourses of the ministry, and the fullest privileges of he Gospel, we see through a glass darkly, but then, face face: now I know in part, but then shall I know even as ilso I am known. There is a veil of flesh between us and he world of spirits; there is a body of sin and death that intercepts our view, and obscures our prospect, and Submit ushinders our full knowledge. True it is, we have the The cheering light of God's holy word; (an inestimable ed, and advantage) a light to our feet, and a lamp to our paths, rit, and to guide us safe in the way to heaven., Christians are ritance. like men travelling along a high road in the night, with a sufficient light in their hands to guide them through to their home; but they can see little or nothing of the beauties and glories of the country through which they pass; the most splendid landscape may be spread before them; the hills, and dales, and rivers, and woods may enrich the scene with diversified beauty; the most curious, and delicate plants and flowers may adorn the whole, and yet the pilgrim be either unconscious of it, or unable to discern it. But, bye and bye, the night will pass away, the morning of the resurrection will e Parent sus Christ erd's The power d ed, renewed anslated int ver now to e are some See Gris 1 Our SOULS ARE RIPENING FOR THE GLOW TO COME. Not merely temporal benefits, but a pro tion for eternal, is connected with a due regan Christ's word. Our Lord asserts, He that heareth nj words, and believeth in me, hath everlasting life, má shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death to life. This is the road in which the saints the now fill the heavenly mansions once walked on earth They heard, and listened to, and loved the truth o God. They tasted its sweetness, they experienced is power, they lived under its influence. St. Peter says Desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may gra thereby unto salvation. 1 Pet. ii, 2. Would you atta the glory above? tread in the steps of saints below, and thus be followers of them who through faith and patient inherit the promises. Reader! it is true excellence, and the way to true glory, to discern the vanity of all knowledge separate from that which makes wise unto salvation, and to yield and submit ourselves wholly to the guidance of divine truth. Those saved by the Gospel are freely pardoned, justified, and accepted of God, sanctified by his Holy Spirit, and made meet to be partakers of the heavenly inheritance. They are adopted into the family of their divine Parent, made heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. To be delivered from the wrath of God, the power of Satan, and the misery of hell; to be changed, renewed, and purified by the Holy Ghost; to be translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son; and even now to have the sure hope of everlasting life-these are some foretastes The best manuscripts add, es swτnplay. See Griesbach and |
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