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"him that is athirst come; and who"soever will, let him take of the water "of life freely."

Third, I would now improve the subject for the benefit of those, who, in their own comfortable experience, know the truth of the doctrines which I have endeavoured to illustrate ;-whose tribulations have wrought in them " patience, "and patience experience, and experi"ence hope."

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In addressing myself to you, may not I seasonably adopt the words of the angel to the Virgin Mary, and say, "Hail "that are highly favoured, the Lord is " with you; blessed are ye among men." Your state, my brethren, is more to be desired than thrones and dominions, and all the glory which this lower world can afford. Happy surely is that people "that is in such a case; yea, happy is "that people whose God is the Lord!"

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"Well, indeed, may your souls magnify "the Lord, and your spirits rejoice in "God your Saviour; for he that is mighty hath done to you great things, "and holy is his name." The relation in which you stand to God, is that of children to a father; and such are the

glories of this relation that it is founded on the new covenant, and consequently shall never cease. Your lives are hid with Christ in God: and though the men of the world may be insensible to your privileges, and even mock at the hopes you entertain, yet the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold which perisheth, will be found unto praise, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ. On that day he will commend the tried faith of his people, and distinguish them in the presence of an assembled universe, by the most endearing expressions of his love.

But even now, as already remarked, amidst all the changes and vicissitudes of this mortal state, in prosperity or adversity, in health or sickness, in joy or sorrow, he who hath this experience and hope can remain unshaken in the faith, and happy in the testimony of a good conscience. He labours under no disquieting apprehensions, respecting the issue of those tumults and disasters which agitate the minds of the multitude. As his portion cannot be affected by these, and his happiness is far beyond their

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reach, so the terrors which seize upon others are unable to make him afraid. Amidst the severest deprivations, he can adopt the triumphant language of the prophet of old : Although the fig-tree "shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be " in the vine; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; "the flock shall be cut off from the fold, " and there shall be no herd in the stalls;

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yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." When all other streams of comfort are dried up, this source admits not of diminution or decay. "The Lord is thy keeper, the "Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand." "The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The "Lord shall preserve thee from all evil. "He shall preserve thy going out and coming in, from henceforth, even for ever."

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But not longer to insist on these things. -As the righteous are safe, amidst all the calamities of life; so, at the hour of death, the hour when riches cannot please or profit, when it may be said of all sublunary objects, as Job declared of his

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friends, "Miserable comforters are ye "all," it shall be well with those who have placed their hope and confidence in God. He will be with them in this their greatest extremity, to guide and support their steps. "Though I walk," says David, "in the valley of the shadow of death, "I will fear no evil; for thou art with "me; thy rod and staff they comfort 66 me. It is then, my brethren, that the hope of the Christian is peculiarly valuable; it is then, when others are ready to despond, that he exults in the choice which he hath made. "His flesh and "his heart may faint and fail, but God "is the strength of his heart and his portion for ever." What though his spirit take its flight to climes unknown? There is no region of infinite space where God is not present. What tho'

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he go down to the grave and see corruption? He knows that his Redeemer liveth; and though after his skin worms destroy this body, yet in his flesh he shall see God.

Before I conclude, let me only farther remind you, brethren, ye highly favoured of the Lord, that as your privi

leges are great, so your Divine Master calls upon you to walk worthy of them. There is a dignity of soul, an elevation of character which belong to you. Disgrace not yourselves, nor bring scandal upon your profession, by aught unworthy or unsuitable in your speech and behaviour. Think not, speak not, act not, like mere creatures of the dust, who look and long for nothing better than what this perishable world affords. Your treasures are in heaven, let your hearts and conversations be there also. You are travellers towards Zion: your way may be rugged, your accommodation but mean,-your afflictions may abound. Such is the will of your Father, who is in heaven; he sees this to be the fittest portion for you, the best means of training you up into a meetness for promoting his glory by your eternal salvation. Meantime, let your patience continue stedfast and immoveable. "Behold the “husbandman waiteth for the precious "fruit of the earth, and hath long pa"tience for it, until he receive the early "and later rain. Be ye also patient,

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