Imatges de pàgina
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tant question, each for himself, Have I repented? do I bring forth fruits meet for repentance, the only sure evidence of my pardon being sealed? If not, while Christ, who descended from his glory as the mediator of a new covenant, still sits upon a throne of mercy, let us fall down before him, confessing our sins, and imploring forgiveness and acceptance for

his sake. Let us pray for the spirit of GOD, to soften our hearts, to render our contrition more deep, our vows of obedience more sincere, our resolutions of amendment more efficacious. Thus invigorated, and thus consoled, the believer may go forth, and tell with joy the glad tidings of his salvation. He may speak with confidence of all the gracious promises, of his inheritance with Christ, and of the kingdom prepared for him before the foundation of the world. In past transactions and fulfilments, in visibles and invisibles, in prospect and in prophecy, looking to one Saviour, and to the final consummation' of everlasting love, his song will be that of Moses and the Lamb, and the burden of it, Who is like unto thee, O JEHOVAH, amongst all the mighty ones? Who is like unto thee, glorious in

holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou in thy mercy hast led forth from the world the people whom thou hast redeemed; thou hast guided them in thy strength to thy holy habitation.

He may cry out with Christian exultation, this is our God, we have waited for him, and He will save us. This is the Lord, we have waited for Him, we will be glad, and rejoice in his salvation. Amen, Amen.

SERMON IL

SERMON II.

GENESIS XXvi. 5.

Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

Α

AT the head of what is commonly called the

Patriarchal Dispensation, and descended from the family of Him, on whom the promised blessing was entailed, by his Father's prophecy, stands this revered founder of the Jewish nation-the pattern of obedience, which is by faith, the instrument of mercy, the instructor of ages, the friend of GOD. The incidents of such a life, as might be expected, exhibit various and visible interpositions of divine Providence; while every expression of favour, and every communication of grace, confirming past promises, af

ford a clear intimation of the counsel of GoD, a stronger pledge of the immutability of his holy purpose, towards all the families of the earth, thro' the mediation of an heavenly Redeemer.

In the memorials of this illustrious character, we not only find the promise made to Adami, the declaration continued to Noah, ratified by an everlasting covenant, but temporal blessings held out to the Patriarch's posterity, with the assurance of everlasting possession; terms, therefore, which never could apply to a finite accomplishment, terms which never could be fulfilled in an earthly Canaan, must be allowed to disclose some farther design, and to point to some future inheritance. And the blessing pronounced, that in his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed, and which still awaits completion in an heavenly city, through Him who is to bring the glory and honour of the nations into it was a more distinct revelation of that merciful love, which, fore-ordained in the heavenly council for man's salvation, was to be exemplified in the person of Him, whom in our former discourse we brought before you, as the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

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