heaven, a workman that needed not to be afhamed, a painful labourer in the Lord's harvest, and a very fuccessful, as well as fervent and judicious preacher of the gospel. If I miftake not, the Sermons of gospel minifters ought to be both evangelical and experimental; and not only fo, but practical, rational and argumentative. Of all difcourfes fuch are the most likely to do good: And of this kind are thefe Sermons of the late Rev. Mr. D. Wilcox; which, that they may be read by many, and by none without pious pleasure, and abundant fpiritual advantage, is my fincere defire, and earnest prayer to that God, who is the giver of all grace, and can render Reading as well as hearing an effectual means of faith, holinefs and comfort.

S. H.

SER

SERMON I.

The Good Man's Privileges and Character.

PSALM LXXXIV. II.

For the Lord God is a fun and field : the Lord will give grace and glory no good thing will be with-hold from them that walk uprightly.

N these words we have a defcription of
God:

I. By what he is :

II. By what he will bestow.

I. By what he is: The Lord God is a fun and fhield. He would be conceived of, and his people fhall find him, what is represented by these : A fun, to enlighten, quicken, guide, and comfort: a never-failing fountain of light and life, which, after the freest emiffion of its refreshing rays, abides always full. Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of Lights, &c. James i. 17. In VOL. III.

a

him

him all our fprings have their rife, from him all our bleffings flow. None can be fad that have his fmiles by his favour we live, and his lovingkindness is better than life. And as he is a fun to bless with all good; fo a shield to fecure from all evil: able to defend and fuccour, protect and fave, all that truft in him, and will not fail those that do fo.

II. The description takes in what God will bestow. The Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will be with-hold from them that walk uprightly.

The Lord will give grace; which comprehends all spiritual bleffings neceffary to the change of our miferable state, and corrupt temper; his pardoning mercy thro' his Son, and the renewing fanctifying Impreffions of his fpirit, in a new heart, or a heart to repent,believe,and turn to God by Jefus Chrift: The first principle of the divine life, and the further degrees of it, by neceffary fupplies from the fame Spirit, directing, affifting, quickening, comforting and fealing fuch as are the peculiar objects of his love. And the fame Lord that gives grace, will give glory too; bring his people to that happiness in heaven, which on earth he difpofes and makes them meet for. Blessed are the pure in heart; for they fhall fee God. Their felicity fhall not be confined to the narrow limits of the present life; but as their defires, and hopes, run beyond to eternity, there will he provide for their compleat fatisfaction. Them on whom he bestows his image, he will bring to his prefence; even to that prefence where there is

fulness

fulness of joy, and where there are pleasures for

evermore.

The Lord will give grace and glory and left this fhould not be enough to exprefs his love, 'tis added, no good thing will be with-hold from them that walk uprightly; that is, every thing that is good will he freely beftow on perfons of this character. He has all things in his hand, and at his difpofal. No finite mind comprehends the treasures of the divine goodness. As to what is in reverfion and hope, eye hath not feen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God bath prepared for them that love him, 1 Cor. ii. 9. And at present, he will supply all their need, according to his riches in glory, by Chrift Jefus, Philip. iv. 19. Whatever conduces to their present real advantage, or future happinefs, that will he give; either fanctified riches, or contentment in poverty: either deliverance and freedom from troubles, or patience under them, and profit by them: either longer space to enjoy the mercies, and improve the advantages of the prefent life; or freedom by death from threatening evils, to join the perfected fpirits of the just, and be with Christ, which is far better. We have all fum'd up, 1. Cor. iii. 21, 22. For all things are yours: whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things prefent, or things to come: all, faith the Apostle, are yours: upon ground, that ye are Chrift's; for Chrift is God's.

this

The perfons for whom God will do this, are defcrib'd by their upright course (which prefuppofeth their renewed state and happy relation to God) to denote the way established by God's wisdom

Ser. I. and grace, in which men are to expect fuch great things as are here promised. Now this defcription may be of use, to take down the vain prefumption of carelefs unrenewed finners, and to encourage fincere Chriftians to keep up their hope in the divine goodness, notwithstanding leffer failures, against the bent of their hearts, and repented of afterwards.

Bleffed be God, we are under a new covenant, fo well and wifely ordered, for his glory and our comfort. Perfection is what the law requires ; and he is no faint that wishes not to be entirely free from fin, and doth not unfeignedly strive after exactness in holiness. But when after all endeavours, we fall fhort, to the grief of our fouls, those lamented defects are pardoned to all that believe in Chrift; their juftification and covenant intereft in the divine favour, are continued, and their fincerity accepted, or graciously rewarded. So merciful a God, fo compaffionate a Father do we ferve, as the God and Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift is.

We may now take notice of the endearing manner in which God will beftow the promised bleffings, viz. freely, without, and contrary to, all merit in us; tho' in a certain order fix'd by himself. The Lord will give grace and glory. All things pertaining to life and godlinefs are given freely. Eternal life is the gift of God, with whatever prepares for it, and leads to it. How dear foever it coft our Lord to purchase the bleffings of the better covenant, they are all free to us. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he faved us, from