So, also, this is the design of the inspiration of the scriptures. The Bible was written and circulated that we all, "with open face beholding, as in a glass, the glory of the Lord, might be changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." Our hearts are purified by the love of the truth, and the written word ever directs us to the incarnate Word. The holy oracles of God are the means of sanctifying the souls of his servants, for his word directs them, and when applied by his Spirit, enables them, to bear the image of the heavenly Adam.

Finally, This is the object to be promoted by all their afflictions. The apostle represents himself, and his fellow-labourers, as enduring a great fight of afflictions; as tried, distressed, perplexed, and persecuted; but, he adds, "always bearing about in our body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body;" and God is daily teaching his saints to glorify him in the fires. Often are the trying exercises of his servants the happy means of furthering their resemblance to Christ, and of promoting within them the life of faith upon him. When our imperfections and sins would render the possession of this blessed image doubtful to ourselves or to others, those afflictions are sent again to discover it, and to impart to it fresh lustre and excellence. When our afflictions have answered their designed end,

we leave the chamber of sickness, or the scene of our sorrows, wherever it be, to evidence more strikingly our possession of the image of the heavenly Adam.

Permit me now,-having finished the discussion of my subject,--permit me to ask you, my hearers, Whose image and superscription do you bear? I shall not ask you whether you bear the image of the earthly Adam, because I know it well; for here "every mouth must be stopped, and all the world become guilty before God." But we wish you to be concerned to ascertain whether a new and divine impression has been made upon your souls? Are you, then, daily departing from all iniquity? hourly aspiring after conformity to Christ? Some men carry the mark of the beast, and bear the image of the devil; not only do they shew us their connexion with Adam, but their alliance with the powers of darkness. We speak this to their shame. O that they may be confounded before God, and led to pray that, instead of their being the very vassals of Satan, they may be numbered among the friends of Immanuel!

What thanks are due to the Redeemer, for the restoration which he hath made of peace and happiness to man!

My text shews us how the great Saviour has triumphed over human depravity and satanic force; and how, by his own grace, he hath restored the image of God in the soul, and directed our

And

hopes to a better world, where this image shall be perfect, this resemblance inimitably correct. has he indeed done all this; then

Praise! flow for ever, (if astonishment

Will give thee leave,) my praise for ever flow;
Praise ardent, cordial, constant, to high Heaven
More fragrant, than Arabia sacrific'd,

And all her spicy mountains in a flame.

O Saviour! stamp thine holy image upon our souls; there let it appear; there let it shine, in life, in death, and for ever!

Amen.

SERMON XX.

PREACHED JULY 10, 1811.

66

JOB XXXIII. 27, 28.

HE LOOKETH UPON MEN, AND IF ANY SAY I HAVE SINNED, AND PERVERTED THAT WHICH WAS RIGHT, AND IT PROFITED ME NOT; HE WILL DELIVER HIS SOUL FROM GOING INTO THE PIT, AND HIS LIFE SHALL SEE THE LIGHT.

How desirable a thing is genuine penitence; it appears eminently so from the attention God pays to it; from the salutary and holy feelings it calls into exercise; from the blessed effects which arise from it to the penitent individual, for "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy;" from the pleasure it occasions in heaven, for "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." All this you may see in the testimony of God, and in the experience of every true penitent. O that you may see it in your own!

We will endeavour now to gain instruction upon this subject, from the passage I have read to you, a passage replete with consolation, and fraught

with the richest truths. O that while we meditate upon it, its goodness and suitableness to our case, its kind report of the mercy of the Lord Jehovah, may dissolve our hearts in thankfulness, and melt our eyes to tears! "He looketh upon men, and if any say I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not, he will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light." Observe here, how this text

I. Presents to us the extent of the divine inspection, "He looketh upon men."

II. Unfolds the language of genuine repentance, "I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not.”

III. Discovers the triumphs of reigning grace, "He shall deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light."

And all these things are closely connected together; for the truth of my text is, that God, in surveying the different ranks of men, beholds a penitent individual, hears his earnest cry, and forgives him the iniquity of his sin. We say, then, that our text,

I. Presents to us the extent of the divine inspection.

"Jehovah looketh upon men." God's omniscience ought to make us adore and tremble; for He confines not his observation to the heavens, in which he more particularly dwells, but he