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penetrate within the vail, we would hear the ransomed of the Lord saying one to another, and to listening angels, Yonder, on his radiant throne, is the best beloved of our souls, who rescued us from guilt and ruin, raised us to this perfect happiness, renewed us by his grace while we were on earth, and proved our stedfast friend in every tribulation and trial. To him be glory in the highest! All we had and have, all we were and are, all we enjoyed and now enjoy, we entirely owe to his free, disinterested, and sovereign love. Long we despised his tenderest instructions, and scorned his richest offers; but his triumphant grace subdued our pride and rebellion, brought us to spiritual life, and gave us power to become the sons of God. Nor then did he desert our feeble souls, but sanctified them by his truth, conducted them through dangerous snares, comforted them when cast down, succoured them when tempted, and enabled us to finish our course in the triumphs of faith.

While we remember what we once were, and rejoice in what we now are, we will exclaim, Hosanna in the highest! Not unto us, not unto us, but to thyself alone, O

Lord, Lord, be the unrivalled honour ! And through the stages of an immortal life, we will not cease to ascribe blessing and dominion to him who sitteth on the throne, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to whom be glory in the highest for ever and ever. Let such meditations animate

your

devotion in all the services of this day; and now that you have so near a prospect of sitting at a communion-table, keep in view the high dignity to which you are called, to be temples of the living God, through the Lord Jesus Christ. Separate yourselves, therefore, from all iniquity of flesh and spirit ; consecrate yourselves, body and spirit, to the glory of God; and earnestly plead,

; that he may this day dwell in you, and be with you,

and be your God, and manifest himself to you, as he does not unto the world. Amen.

SERMON SERMON XII.

HEAVEN PREPARED FOR THE RIGHTEOUS,

Heb. xi. 16.

But now they desire a better country, that is,

an heavenly : wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.

THE

He change of his views and pursuits which every sincere lover of the Saviour experiences, when born again by the Spirit, and effectually renewed by grace, is easily distinguished in his character and conduct. He formerly had no concern about a future state, Like the men of the world, he

sought sought his happiness in those earthly enjoyments which cannot satisfy an immortal soul ; " but now," says the apostle," he desires a better country, that is, an heavenly.” Beholding the fashion of this world passing away, he considers himself as a pilgrim on earth. Setting his affections on things above, he is chiefly employed in preparing himself for the inheritance of the saints in light; and knowing that his departure is drawing nigh, he gives all diligence to be found of God in peace, to have his conversation in heaven, and to live under the powers of the world to come.

But, leaving out of view for a moment the promise and prospect of a future inheritance, and of immortality beyond the grave, the children of God in this world have privileges conferred upon them, greatly superior to all human dignity and honour. Amidst the vicissitudes and trials of life, they have the Almighty himself for their all-sufficient portion, for their unchanging Friend, and reconciled Father.

He loves them with the tenderest affection, cherishes them as his children, and imparts to them whatever can satisfy the

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mind, or carry it on to perfection. To him we are indebted for the watchful protection of his providence, the suitable promises of his word, the comforting fellowship of his Spirit, the liberty of intrusting all our interests to his unerring management, the gratifying assurance that he will order our concerns aright, and for such enlivening declarations as these, “ Fear not, I have redeemed thee; be not dismayed, I am thy God; I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

Blessed be the God of salvation, for the unsearchable riches and perpetual duration of his love! The present privileges of his people are inestimably valuable, and their future prospects are glorious, and without end. They have desired a better country, and that desire shall not be ungratified; for he who is their God has prepared for them a city; and had it not been so, we have the remarkable words of the text, that he would have been ashamed to call himself their God. This is indeed a wonderful declaration; it intimates, that all the love which he manifests to his people on earth, is only an earnest of what is in reserve ; that all

the

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