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the descriptions of heaven in their Bibles, but the pledges and foretastes of it in their own souls; and by what they feel now, they know in a measure, and in a greater measure than others can, what is to come. Great men may talk much of heaven, but good men know most of it.

Let us now inquire, Are we those who fear God? Manage this inquiry with caution, pursue it with diligence, crave the help of your ministers, but above all, beg the Divine assistance. Say, "Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart." Those are certainly void of grace who are void of fear; nor shall those enjoy God in the other world, who do not fear him in this. Upon the whole, we may draw these two inferences:-how happy is the Christian, and how graciously condescending is his God." To this man," says he, "will I look; even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." O let us admire and adore the mercy and grace manifested in these words! This is one of those wells of salvation out of which we may draw the waters of spiritual comfort. Here, in the darkest seasons, the disconsolate Christian may find relief.

SERMON XXXII.

IMPORTANCE OF THE GRACE OF CHRIST.

PHILEMON 25.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

In this part of sacred writ we have an excellent specimen of epistolary correspondence; and the solemn wish with which the apostle closes this his letter to Philemon, shall be the subject of my present discourse:-" The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen." From which language we may observe, that there is such a person as the Lord Jesus Christ; that there is such a thing as the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ; and that for this grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to be with our spirits, is a blessing the most to be desired.

I. There is such a person as the Lord Jesus Christ; and who is he but the second Person in the ever-blessed and adorable Trinity? who assumed our nature, lived a despised life, and died an accursed death, that he might be the physician, redeemer, and saviour of our souls; whose name is as ointment poured forth! Here we have three of his titles, each of which is so delightful that our hearts cannot meditate upon, or our lips utter, three sweeter words; especially if we could use the appropriating term in my text, and say, My Lord, my Jesus, my Christ. Give me leave to take a little notice of each of these titles. I am speaking is, 1. The Lord.

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The person of whom

Upon his vesture and upon his thigh he

the descriptions of heaven in their Bibles, but the pledges and foretastes of it in their own souls; and by what they feel now, they know in a measure, and in a greater measure than others can, what is to come. Great men may talk much of heaven, but good men know most of it.

Let us now inquire, Are we those who fear God? Manage this inquiry with caution, pursue it with diligence, crave the help of your ministers, but above all, beg the Divine assistance. Say, "Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart." Those are certainly void of grace who are void of fear; nor shall those enjoy God in the other world, who do not fear him in this. Upon the whole, we may draw these two inferences:-how happy is the Christian, and how graciously condescending is his God. "To this man," says he, "will I look; even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." O let us admire and adore the mercy and grace manifested in these words! This is one of those wells of salvation out of which we may draw the waters of spiritual comfort. Here, in the darkest seasons, the disconsolate Christian may find relief.

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hath a name written,-The King of kings, and Lord of lords." He is the Lord of all places, persons, and dispensations. He rules with almighty power in heaven, earth, and hell. He guides the wheels of providence, and with an impartial hand dispenses both punishments and rewards. All creatures are accountable to him, but he is accountable to none. He is in an especial sense the Lord God of true believers; and his authority with respect to them is built upon the right of redemption. He rules over men, angels, and devils; but he rules in them and for them. He disposes all things for their good, preserves them in the midst of the greatest dangers, protects them from, and will at length subdue and destroy, all their enemies. My Lord and my God," says Thomas, when cured of his unbelief. "He is thy God," says the Psalmist," and worship thou him."

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2. Jesus. "Thou shalt call his name Jesus," says the angel to his virgin mother, " for he shall save his people from their sins." He is a willing and all-sufficient Saviour. "Jesus," says the apostle, "who delivereth us from the wrath to come." He is just such a Saviour as sinners want -as awakened sinners desire. His saving power extends to all our sins, all our necessities, and all our wishes, both with respect to this world and the next. I have read of one who, after he became spiritually acquainted with this name, never mentioned it without tears. It has been used as a powerful argument in prayer: "O thou hope of Israel, and Saviour thereof in time of trouble." "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me!" Joshua, in the Hebrew, is Jesus in the Greek tongue; and Jesus, the true Joshua, both brings the first-fruits of Canaan to his people, and will at length bring them to Canaan. What was denied to Moses, was granted to Joshua; and "what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, that God hath done by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemning sin in the flesh."

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3. Christ separated and set apart to the work of

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