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holy things, we are accepted in the Beloved. Now the great and holy God vouchfafes to admit fuch finners into communion with himself. He invites us to draw near with boldness; and because of ourselves we know not how to pray as we ought*, he favours us with the influence of his holy Spirit. It is a great instance of the power of faith, that, remembering what we have been, and feeling what we are, and having some right apprehenfion of him with whom we have to do, we are enabled to approach him with confidence, and to open our hearts to him, with greater liberty than we can ufe to our dearest earthly friends. His people know by many infallible proofs, that his presence is with them in their fecret retirements, and in their public affemblies, according to his promife. He hears and answers their prayers, he revives their spirits, he renews their strength; he gives them reafon to fay, that a day in his courts is better than a thousand of the world's days. Such are their expectations, and fuch, in the exercise of faith, is their experience. They worship him whom the angels worship; and they know, that unworthy and defective as they are, their wor

* Rom. viii. 26.

fhip is no less acceptable to him, than that of the angels in glory, by virtue of their relation to him, who is Lord both of angels and men.

4. Hence we may infer the neceffity of that change of heart, which the scripture expreffes by a new birth, a new life, a new creation, and other representations, which denote it can only be effected by divine power. Till we are the subjects of this operation, we are incapable of enjoying or even of feeing the kingdom of God *. Though to outward appearance the congregation before me feem all to be serious and attentive, as if engaged in the fame defign, and animated with the fame defire and hope, he to whom our hearts are known, doubtless obferves a great difference. Some of you, though custom, or a regard to your connexions, bring you hither, yet must be fenfible that this is not your chofen ground, and that these are not the fubjects which give you pleasure. We preach Christ Jesus and him crucified— Chrift Jefus the Lord. The Lord fees, though I cannot, the indifpofition of your wards him.

hearts to

You are foon weary and uneasy.

* John iii. 3.

And

you

And wish to throw the blame of your you uneafiness upon the preacher. You regard his method, his manner, his expreffions, with no friendly intention, in hopes of noticing fomething that may seem to justify your dif like; and a fermon, not very long in itself, is to you very tedious. We wish well to your fouls, we ftudy to find out acceptable words; for though we dare not trifle with or flatter you, we are unwilling to give you just offence. But if will be faithful to yourfelves, you may perceive that it is not fo much the length or the manner, as the subject of our fermons that disgusts you. You would, perhaps, hear with more attention and patience, did we speak less of him whom the angels worship. There are affemblies more fuited to your taste, and there are public speakers to whom you can probably afford a willing ear, for a much longer time than we detain you. Because there you are at home. You are of the world, and you love the world. The amufements, the bufinefs, the converfe, and the customs of the world, fuit your inclination. But here you are not, if I may so speak, in your proper element: and yet it may be, there are perfons in the

ftate as

fame feat with you, who think themselves happy to hear, what you hear with indifference or disgust. If you knew your a finner, your need of a Saviour, and the excellency and glory of the Saviour whom we preach to you, you likewife would be pleased; and a preacher of very moderate powers would fix your attention, and gain your esteem, if he preached this gospel. But what ideas do

you

you

form of a future ftate? Surely, you cannot suppose that in the eternal world will meet with any of the poor expedients have recourse to now, for filling up your you time, which otherwife would hang heavy upon your hands. To attempt a detail of the round of vanities, which conftitute a worldly life, would be unfuitable to the dignity of the pulpit. Let it fuffice, that death will remove you from them all. from them all. If they are now neceffary to what

you account your happiness, must you not of courfe be miferable. without them? If you believe you shall exift hereafter, do you not defire heaven? But fuch a heaven as the word of God defcribes could not afford you happinefs, unlets yapt mind be previously changed an

relish it. Neither the empl

company of heaven would be pleafing to you. It is a state, where all the inhabitants unite in admiring and adoring him who died upon the crofs. If this fubject is difpleafing to you here, it would be much more fo there. Heaven itself would be a hell to an unhumbled, an unholy foul. Confider this feriously, while there is time to feek his face; and tremble at the thoughts of being cut off by death in your present state, infenfible as you are of who he is, and what he has done for finners. May he enlighten your understanding, and enable you to see the things pertaining to your true peace, before they are for ever hidden from

your eyes!

VOL. II.

E

SER

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