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instances, where pride and love of sin are most apt to prejudice our minds against the real character of our Maker.

For instance, do you know, he bears that perfect abhorrence to all iniquity, which the Bible always affirms he does? Are you established in the truth, that God is in no degree cruel to the work of his hands, though he doom every soul dying in sin to feel for ever the weight of his indignation? Do you confess from the heart, that the sanctions of his gov. ernment are full of glory, though this be the consequence, that, to every hypocrite and rebel, our God is a consuming fire.

Again, examine whether you are firmly persuaded that the God whom you worship is a sun and a shield to every one who believeth in Jesus? Whether you are sure that the high and lofty One, who inhabiteth eternity, does humble himself to watch incessantly over his faithful people for good, as a wise and tender father doth over the son that serveth him? Whether you believe that God doth indeed dwell with men, giving to every individual who lives according to his will, light and life, peace and consolation, strength and power, which none beside on earth possess? Finally try yourself, whether you have affecting views of the excellency of God, manifested in the person and office of the Redeemer, and in the influences of the spirit, by which he holds communion with the church of Christ.

From such enquiries, your knowledge or ignorance of the God described in the Bible will be made evident: because it is in these important points our Maker has revealed himself and his conduct, which the world by wisdom never could have discovered. And just in the same proportion as God's own representation of his self, and his designs is received

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with steadfast faith, are you really enriched with divine knowledge. A knowledge of inestimable value, because alone able to heal man's corrupted mind, to keep it firm to duty in the midst of trials; a knowledge pronounced by Christ to be eternal life.

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A PRAYER,

For the Knowledge of God.

COMMAND, O blessed God, we humbly beseech thee, the light of the knowledge of thy glory to shine into our hearts. Teach us to conceive of thy infinite majesty aright. May we know that thou hast made all things for thyself; that thou upholdeth all things, giving life, health, strength and doing whatever thou pleasest in the armies of Heaven, and amongst the inhabitants of the earth. Teach us to understand, that from the beginning, all thy works in all places of thy dominion, are known unto thee; that our most secret purposes, desires, and thoughts are more open to thy all-seeing eye, than to the notice even of our own minds. Conscious of our ignorance and inability to conceive, what is fit for thee to teach, command, or do, give us to bow with lowest reverence before every revelation of thy will, and every appointment of thy providence.

O Lord! open our eyes, that we may see all thy goodness, in the blessings of health and strength, of food, raiment, and fruitful seasons, which descend upon the just and the unjust. Above all, grant us, we beseech thee, the light of faith to comprehend, with all saints, the height and depth, the breadth and length of thy love in Christ Jesus. And lest our wicked hearts should abuse the riches of thy grace,

fill us with conceptions of thy glorious holiness; that thou art not to be approached but through the mediation of thy Son, nor wilt vouchsafe remission of sins but through his blood.

Enlighten the eyes of our understanding, to perceive how good and gracious thou art to all who love thy name, ever caring for them; watering them every moment, and keeping them by night and day, lest any hurt them. We earnestly beg this knowledge of thy nature, and thy rich mercies, that we may glorify thee as God, put our trust in thee without wavering, serve thee diligently with great delight, and never wilfully offend thee.

We ask these blessings in entire dependence upon our faithful and merciful high-priest, Jesus Christ, who come into the world to manifest thy name. To him, with thyself, and the eternal Spirit, be all honour and glory, world without end.

Amen.

SUNDAY VII.

CHAP. VII.

The natural Condition of Man respecting God.

WE can make no progress in any science, till we understand its first principles. In religion it is the same, that science, in which all are deeply interested. Here the ground-work must be laid in knowledge of our own character, as it regards the great end of duty, and the great object of religion.

With respect to God, then, experience and scripture attest, that man is deplorably blind, depraved,

and consequently guilty. The blindness of man proves itself by his fancying the excellencies of body, mind, or estate which he possesses, his own. Hence, though in words he acknowledges an intelligent Creator, he perceives not the consequence nacessarily flowing from this truth, to the great glory of his name, that of him and through him are all things. Hence the beautiful are intoxicated with admiration of their own pleasing form; the rich despise the poor; men distinguished by acquired knowledge, or superior genius, look down with haughty airs on the ignorant vulgar; and even the spiritual man is too apt to exalt himself, viewing the gifts he has received.

The abundant prevalence of these disorders loudly proclaims the blindness of man's mind to that fundamental truth, that no one can receive "any thing, except it be given him from above:" and that with respect to every advantage which we value, God maketh men to differ. It is a continual labour, even with the aid of supernatural light, to get deliverance from the power of this blindness. And some symptoms of it may be found (where you would least suspect) in the excellent of the earth.

Man's natural blindness with respect to God is evident also from the judgment he makes on the life of faith, and that of self-indulgence. Compare them together, you would not think it possible to make a wrong choice. For what is a life of uniform obedience to God, through faith in Christ? It is allegiance to the wisest of kings, and a due testimony of filial duty to the best of fathers; it is freedom to the fettered soul, and victory over affections, base as they are hurtful. It is a peaceful state of mind which af fords no ground for accusations of having done injury to any creature. It makes man a blessing to all in connexion with him, effectually restraining even from

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the intention of doing wrong. In prosperity it keeps the mind humble; in adversity calm and patient; nor can the stroke of death dismay, for its hope is full of immortality.

Compare, with this life of faith, a life of self-indulgence. How depraved, how hideous! It is a monstrous compound of ignorance, contradicting infinite wisdom; of contempt in a vile worm for infinite majesty of ingratitude for rich bounty; of rebellion aiming its biow against the bowels of sovereign mercy. A life of self-indulgence makes a man afraid to look into himself infectious and full of mischief to others, and dismayed at the thought of a judgment to come. In every view, it is without excuse, and altogether odious.

Can there be any light then remaining in the mind of man, if a life of faith is not always without hesitation infinitely preferred to a life of self-indulgence? For beauty in its highest bloom does not, in the eye of flesh, so evidently excel pale loathsome disease, as a life of faithful obedience surpasses, in reason's eye, one of self-gratification.

Yet, to the shame of the human race, fact and experience daily prove, the choice is obstinately fixed on what deserves contempt, and preference given where detestation is due. Innumerable are the slanders with which blind man asperses a life of uniform obedience to God; and loud his complaints against it. He industriously employs all his wit to make religion appear irksome; and opposition to it guiltless.

In vain do all the children of obedience lift up their voice together, and cry, "Great is the peace which they have, who keep thy law, and nothing shall offend them." In vain does Jehovah promise his presence, and his spirit; his pardon, power, peace, and salvation to the faithful and obedient. Men

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