entered upon, and pursued with real devotion of heart: nothing trifling can be viewed with approbation by the Father of the spirits of all flesh.

O that when we entered the church of God, we were more impressed with the idea, that it is the city of our solemnities; then would our levities be checked, our minds be prepared for the devout service of God, and he would, indeed, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts, by the inspiration of his Holy Spirit. In the church of God, we are called solemnly to give ourselves up to him, saying, Lord I am thine here we are, with all seriousness, to aim to promote the best interests of our immortal souls; here we are, with reverence and godly fear, to offer the sacrifice of a broken and contrite spirit. Never look upon Zion, then, without remembering, that there the most solemn transactions pass between God and the soul.

2. Our text views the church of God as a quiet habitation.. "Thine eyes shall Jerusalem quiet habitation."

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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 for ever. 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 for ever; and God's people dwell here in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting-places. 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, "which 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 we shall know even as we are known: there are grand discoveries reserved for us in heaven, and churchprivileges 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 were round about Jerusalem, so 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 for ever, 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 endeavoured then to place before you the church of God, as described in the text, I would

II. Enforce that attention to it which it demands.

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

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

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 honour 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 endeavoured to oppose it. Look upon Zion, sinner, and there you will see the arm of the Lord exerted in the success