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SERMON XII.

197 J752 7'07) V6 2

THE GLORY OF GOD DISPLAYED IN THE OPERATIONS OF HIS GRACE, *so mi plynor

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PSALM XC. 16, 17.

Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work »of our hands upon us; yea, the work of ⚫our hands establish thou it.

THE Connection is so close, and the analogy so striking between the works of creation and providence, and the operations of divine grace, that the contemplation of the one might easily lead our thoughts to the consideration of the other. In both, the same wisdom is exhibited, the same Omnipotent arm made bare, the same end proposed; and with regard to each it may be said, that "Of him, and through him, and to him are all things: to whom be glory for ever and ever."

The words before us have respect generally, to the works of Jehovah; of which we may truly say, "We have heard with our ears, and our fathers have declared unto us the noble works which were wrought in their days, in the old time. before them." By faith in the divine record, we understand that the material frame of things-these wonders of creation-were called into existence by the word of Jehovah, that voice which is mighty in operation; for when he designed to spread forth the heavens as the curtains of his tabernacle, and to lay the foundation of the earth, he spake and it was done, he commanded and they stood fast. We have heard also how the same Omnipotent arm which was exerted in creation, was stretched forth to redeem. The achievements of his mighty power, and the wonders of redeeming grace, have been so exhibited and set forth in the word of truth, that all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of God.Nevertheless, the prayer in the text is by no means superfluous; we will proceed

to the more particular consideration of its import and first, of the work of God; secondly, the requests which the Psalmist makes with reference to this work.

I. THE WORK OF GOD. This term, in the sense most interesting to the christian mind, relates to the secret work of grace in the heart, and the progress of christianity in the world.

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...What is personal religion but the life of God in the soul? A life commencing in a death unto sin, and a new birth unto righteousness, and which is perpetuated and sustained by the habitual exercise of faith in a crucified Saviour. It consists not, as some imagine, in a mere set of opinions, or in a routine of outward cere monies; but in a holy disposition of soul, a moulding, first of the affections of the heart, and then, as the consequence thereof, a practical conforming of the life to the spirit as well as to the letter of the holy commandment. The christian profession is beautifully represented by our church to consist in "following the example of our Saviour Christ, and being

made like unto him; that as he died and rose again for us, so should we die from sin, and rise again unto righteousness; continually mortifying all our evil and corrupt affections, and daily proceeding in all virtue and godliness of living." Wherever we discover deadness to the world, spiritual mindedness, conformity to the image of Christ, and progressive advances in christian graces, and in the habits of a holy life; wherever I say, these are really discoverable, there may we assuredly trace the finger of God. course of him who is thus transformed by the renewing of his mind is not smooth and unobstructed: his corruptions strive for the mastery; the motions of sin work in his members to bring forth fruit unto death; the flesh lusteth against the spirit; Satan tempts him, whilst the world allures him by its smiles, or intimidates him by its frowns. Nevertheless, he goes forward, and notwithstanding the conflicts he experiences within, and the adversa

• Baptismal Service.

The

ries which assail him from without, each sincere disciple of Jesus shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger. How earnestly, therefore should we pray, with respect to the operations of grace within us, "Let thy work appear." How fervently should we desire to know, in our individual experience, "the exceeding greatness of his power" towards those that believe; seeing that a power no less than that which raised Christ from the dead, is needed to raise us from a death in sin to a life of holiness; and that there is equal need of the continued exercise of this power to cherish the spirit of piety, and to carry forward from day to day the work of religion in the heart. In this strength, therefore, let us go forth, leaning upon the arm of Omnipotence, and looking unto Jesus as the supporter and finisher, no less than the author of our faith. What has been said of personal piety, applies with equal propriety to the

* Eph. i. 19.

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