\ si M.-v/2.b v \ W \ The MMellency of the Gospel, AN DRDINATION SERMON* PREACHED IS UNION-STREET CHAPEL, NORTH SHIELDS, August, <2Rd. 1809; Vlrhen the Rev. JOHN MILLAR was set apart to the pastoral care of the Church of Christ in that place. I V Published at the Bequest of the Churchi By JOHN ARUNDEL* LONDON". printed for Baynes, Paternoster Row; Baoster, StrandJ C. Law, Ave-Maria-Lane ; Sold also by Rodgzrs, Clark and Jefferson, Whitby; Barnes, and Affieby, North Shields. 1810. [P'RICE ONE SHILLING.] -Rodgers, Printer, Whitby. TO THB MINISTER AND CONGREGATION ASSEMBLING AT THE CHAPEL IN UNION-STREET* NORTH SHIELDS ; THE FOLLOWING SERMON^ IS, MOST RESPECTFULLr INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR, A 2 AN ORDINATION SERMON, &c, II. Corinthians, iii — 18. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass, the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory; even as by the Spirit of the Lord. GOD is a being of infinite glory. In his own perfect nature he possesses a glory that cannot be described, yea which cannot be perceived by crea tures. This glory, therefore, Jehovah had, before any revelation was given to man, before he was formed, or even the foundation of the earth was laid. ^But with the design of giving a. manifestation of it, God created the world, the heavens and the earth; these " declare his glory, and shew forth his handy work." A3 Afterward, he made man, a being of intellectual and immortal faculties, in whose wonderful consti tution the divine glory was peculiarly displayed ; for he was made in his Maker's own image, "after his likeness." After this, the law, a transcript of the moral per fections of Jehovah, was given to man; and in that awful, transaction the divine glory was so refulgent that no man, not even Moses himself, could behold it and live. In the moral law the glorious God was more illustriously revealed than ever he had been before ; for when the Lord came down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai, though they stood at the nether part of the mount, the thunders and the lightenings, and the voice of God made all the people that was in the camp to tremble. -When, Moses beheld those bright displays of the unblen> ashed purity, the majesty,justice and sovereignty of God, so terrible was the sight, that he 6aid, / ex ceedingly fear and quake. Yea the whole moun tain "quaked greatly" with the manifestation of his eternal power and Godhead. But notwithstanding that the heavens declared this glory, that man in his primeval state reflected it, and the moral law so illustriously displayed it, yet it's full splendour was reserved for the gospel to introduce. The gospel brings to light a scheme which is so complete as to display every perfection in Jehovah's name all at once. The gospel exhi bits a character, who is " the image of the invisible God, " yea "the brightness of his glory, the express image of his person." The past ages, when con trasted with the present, were like the hours of twi light, when compared with mid-day. " The mi nistration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of of his countenance, which glory was to be done away; but how shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious ? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the min istration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excellefh." Underthe dispensation ofthe gospel, "We all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory ; even as by the spirit of the Lord". With a view to open and improve this subject, in a way SQrne what suitable to this occasion, I propose 1. To explain what is meant by " the glory of the Lord.'' II. To state the peculiar nature and suitable^ tiess of the medium through which it is beheld^ " as in a glass." III. To describe the transforming effect of the vision, " are changed into the same image, from, glory to glory."— And IV. To notice the agency of the Divine Spirit in the great work, ". even as by the Spirit of the Lord." Oh that the Eternal Spirit, by whose influence the darkness of the human mind is removed, may condescend to bless us, and grant us " to behold the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ!" Relying upon his aid, I pro pose, as before intimated, I. To explain what is meant by " the glory of the Lord." In general, when we meet with this phrase in the Old Testament, it signifies " that person of Jehovah who is called the King of glory, the Sun of righteousness ;"* But with proper deference to ex positors of deserved reputation, I think in this con nection, it means the divine nature, or the perfections of Deity irrespective of personality; which are more fully revealed under the gospel, than under the law. By the glory of the Lord, we may understand, either, the essential purity — tite supreme excel lence — or the unrivalled splendour of the divine nature. Purity in Gcd's essence is the same as light in the sun ; it is not only essential to its existence, but also it is the glory of that existence. " There is one glory of the sun," and that eminently is it's light. Thus, as descriptive of his purity, Jehovah is represented as " dwelling in light, " and as " clothing himself with light," yea it is once said, " God is light." These declarations are all ex pressive of his essential purity, which is the glory of his nature. Hence, the supernatural light that at tended the ark of the covenant, was called "the glory;" and "the cherubim of glory," are so call ed, because they represented the glorious presence and purity of God. f Parkhurst's Heb. Lexicon. 10 Again — by "the gloryof the Lord" we may also understand the supreme excellence of Jehovah, or those perfections which have in their own nature, abstractedly considered, a moral excellence. The term glory is frequently used as expressive of ex cellence ; the tongue and the soul are said to be the glory of man, because on account of them he surpasses all other creatures. Thus, goodness,. mercy, justice, holiness, truth and love, being ami able and excellent in themselves, are the eternal, and unchangeable glory of God; and these are wonderfully revealed in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Further — the term " glory" means magnificence and splendour. When Christ was speaking of the lilly, he said, "I say unto you that even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these." In this sense, " the glory of the Lord" denotes his ineffable brightness, which no man can behold and live. Moses perhaps had as bright discoveries of God as any under the dispensation of the law, but even Moses, when the glory of the Lord passed by, must be hid in the cleft of a rock. The lofty sera-. phim, which are represented as standing before the eternal throne to receive commands, and to exe cute orders, cover their faces with their wings as 11 pot able to behold the brightness of his glory. How is it then that mortals can behold the essen tial purity* — the supreme excellence — and the un rivalled splendour of this Divine Being wilh open face f Our text replies, " in a glass." By which I am led — « II. To state the peculiar nature and suitableness of the medium through which this glory is beheld. What could not be discovered or beheld by the naked eye of our natural powers, Jehovah has graciously revealed through a suitable medium, the person andzoorlc of the Lord Jesus Christ. This I humbly conceive is the glass through which more of God is seen than was under the shadows of the law. The suitableness of this medium will at once ap pear, if we consider the mysterious constitution of Christ's person. "In him," says the apostle Paul, *?dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily " What an expression ! How full! How striking! It was not enough for the apostle to say, that the God head dwelt in him, but-the/M/HeM of it; and not only the fulness, but all the fulqess, and that bodily. While Jesus Christ was perfectly human, he was 12 strictly divine ; and thus became a medium exact ly suited to our state and character. The effulgence of deity was veiled by the humanity, so that in him, we can behold the glory of God and not be consumed. In Christ, as God-man, there was every thin"-thatwas great,every thingthat was good, every thing that was amiable, and every thing that was attractive. There was in him, so to speakj^'a com bination of majesty and meekness, justice and mercy, rectitude and compassion ; yea there was all the dignity and dominion of a sovereign, blend ed with all the subjection and humility of a ser vant." While he had the keys of hell and of death, he was among his disciples as one that served. We may notice further, the union of divine per- fictions that is displayed in his work of redemption. I have already intimated, that God revealed him self in creation, in the constitution of man, and in the giving of the law ; but that revelation was only partial, and comparatively " had no glory, by reason of the glory that excelleth." The full and complete revelation of the Great Eternal was reserv ed for the gospel ; where all the divine attributes " like innumerable sun beams, centre as in a focus," and shine with equal glory. 13 Here, divine wisdom appears in forming the plan, which, while it proposes sin's destruction, satan's overthrow, and the sinner's salvation, brings to the name of God eternal praise. Here, unspotted purity is manifested in all it's glory, inexorably re quiring restitution for the injury, the disorder, the ruin that is introduced by sin. Eternal justice is displayed in punishing the surety. Death was the penal sanction of the law ; this justice required, this it received, and with this it was satisfied. In the work of Christ, the unimpeachable veracity of God is attested, in bringing to pass what was pro mised immediately- after the fall, what was typified by the Jewish law-giver, and what was predicted by ""holy men of God, who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." The death of Christ was the grand ratifying seal to the covenant en gagements of the Sacred Three ; and it stamped with validity the Old Testament dispensation. In this glorious work of redemption, unbounded love and rich mercy are seen in accepting the atone ment, in acquitting the sinner, in raising again the Redeemer, and in commanding, that through his name, should be preached the forgiveness of sins. " Here his whole name appears complete; Nor wit can guess, nor reason prove Which of the letters best is writ, The power,. the wisdom, or the love." 14 Christ is also a proper medium through whicH to behold the divine glory, from the natitre of his character as the Son'of God. "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." John bare witness of him, saying, " the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us ( and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father ) full of grace and truth" Interesting testimony ! Jesus Christ as the Son of God is full of grace and truth ! Yes, there is in him all need ful grace to justify, to pardon, to sanctify, to pre serve and to perfect in glory all that come unto God through him. He is full of truth — he is the' faithful and true witness ; having in his ministry* his sufferings, his death, his resurrection and in his whole work attested the truth and fidelity of God. Christ is the substance of the promises of Gody and the accomplishment of " all that was written: in the law of Moses, in the prophets, and in the psalms concerning him." All the sacred lines of revelation meet in him, and he stamps truth, and certainty and glory on them all. He is also the re pository of all truth to his church. All truth ema nates from Him, who is it's inexaustible source. This preacher of righteousness was really what 15 he appeared to be, what he was declared to be. Was he declared to be " holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners"? He was in his character the truth of that testimony. His accusers, and even those who condemned him, declared, after the most malignant scrutiny, "We find no fault in him." Was he said to be divinely commissioned ? His works substantiated the declaration. He cleansed the lepers, he healed the sick, he cast out devils, and he raised the dead. " No man could have done those miracles which he did, except God was with him." Was he represented as one who was to be." Mighty to Save"? he confirmed the truth of that representation. To Mary Magdalene he said, " Thy sins which are many, are all forgiven thee." To the thief upon the cross, he said, " To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." And of Saul of Tarsus, who had been a proud self-justifying phari. see, he said, " he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel." Thus then, Jesus Christ far exceeded Moses, both in his character and in the system which he made known. " The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." When Moses appeared to make known the mind of God 16 to Aaron and. to the people, behold the skin of his face shone ; and they were afraid to come nigh him. But when Christ appeared, he was full of graceand of truth. The system of Jesus Christ is superiour to that of Moses, the one is the minis tration of death, the other the ministration of the spirit of life ; the one is the ministration of con demnation, the, other the ministration of righteous ness ; the one affrights, the other allures ; the one sets forth the terroursof the Almighty, the other dis plays his love and grace; the one wounds and killsy the other heals and saves ; the one is mount Sinai that might be touched, and that burned with fire; ¦ the other is mount Zion, the city of the living God* and the heavenly Jerusalem. In these respects Christ is a suitable medium through which to be^ hold the glory of God. Oh ! that while' the Lord Jesus Christ is exhi bited here, in his adorable person, and his perfect work, you may behold his glory, and be changed into the same image ! This house is dedicated to the worship of God, and you have now the pleas. ing prospect of the stated administration of the or dinances of the gospel ; my heart's desire and prayer to God for you is, that, whenever my worthy brother stands up to minister in holy things, the 17 glory of the Lord may fill the house, bless your souls, and make you a blessing to each other and to many yet unborn ! But I hasten — III. To describe the transforming effect of the vision, which is not a mere transient, useless glance J but it is such a sight as gradually changes the be holder into the same likeness; " are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, &c." This change may refer to the gradual progress. of sanctif cation. Justification is an instantaneous act; but sanctification is a progressive change The one is the pronouncing of a sinner just, and has im mediate respect to his state as a guilty creature; the other is the gradual renewing of the heart, and has more immediate reference to the nature of man as unholy. This work in scripture is represented by the process of leaven, which, being hid in a quantity of meal, diffuses itself throughout the whole mass ; and by the progress of light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day. There is first the dawning of the day, then twilight, then the sun emerges' from below the horizon, and then ascends to the full meridian. The perception of the glory of God through Christ is gradual. The believer does not see all at once ; but one ray after another . B darts upon his mind, and displays to him what i% in himself, and what there is in God ; and thus the, transformation of the soul into the same image is by degrees. Christ is the great source of the believer's sanc- tification, and to realize by faith his mediatorial glories is the most effectual means of promoting it. Yes, the life of sanctification is maintained, and matured by faith in the Son of God. Ta the want of believing views of Christ, our de clensions and coldness, inactivity and leanness, un ruly tempers and unfruitfulness in holiness may unquestionably be traced. While the christian can steadily contemplate Christ as Mediator, sin be comes hateful, holiness desireable, and duties de lightful. The cross is with cheerfulness taken up, the heart becomes gradually humbled, and im pressed with the divine likeness. Are ye complaining of inward depravity, .of unruly passions, of a hard, worldly, deceitful and desperately wicked heart ? See here ! my beloved- brethren, the great source, and efficient means of your sanctification. Look unto Jesus ! Behold with the steady eye of faith, the perfections of Gocl in him, and you will become " changed into the same image." 19 Again, There are special seasons when the be liever has brighter discoveries of the divine excel lence than ordinary, and then he becomes more conformed to the same image. He is not always drooping and ready to faint ; sometimes he devout ly prays " O Lord ! I beseech thee shew me thy glory:" and in answer to, his request, the Lord passeth by, and maketh all his goodness to pass be fore him, proclaiming himself "the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth." This quite over whelms the believer, with humility, asr.onishme.nt and gratitude. In private prayer, sometimes he has such interest ing views of the glory of God as reconciled to him in Christ, as constrain him to say, " It is good for me to draw near to God." Ah ! how his soul ex pands while contemplating and communing with this glorious God. Deeply impressed with Jehovah's excellence, he also shrinks into nothing, and cries " Woe is me ! for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts." I have heard of thee says the soul, " by the hearing of the ear ; but now mine eye seeth thee, wherefore I abhor myself, and re* gent in dust and ashes." 20 In reading the divine word, at times such st a glory gilds the sacred page" as fills the soul with rapture and delight. It's divinity is felt, and it's incomparable worth estimated ; and from a sweet consciousness of the divine glory therein displayed, the soul exclaims " How precious are thy thoughts unto me O God ! How great is the sum of them ! If I should count them they are more in number than the sand; when I awake I am still with thee !''• "How sweet are thy words to my taste ! yea sweeter than honey to my mouth." When at the table of the dear Redeemer, some times Jesus Christ as crucified and slain manifests, himself as he does not to the world. He ex plains the mystery of his cross, the wonders of his. love, and the glories of his name. O ! that, while you as a part of the dear family of Christ are surrounding that table, he himself may draw near, bind all your hearts together in love, regale you with the cordials of his grace, and, by his blessed presence, constrain you to say, in the language- of holy ecstasy, " It is gdod for us to be here !" And to congratulate one another as ye go away, " Did not our heart burn within us while he talked with "us, and while he opened to us the scriptures ?" Then, with what holy scorn you will look upon the trifles, 21 allurements, and menaces of the world. You will not be conformed to this world, either in it's spi rit, maxims, or pursuits ; but you will be " trans formed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable; and per1 feet will of God." Further, This change into the divine likeness, will be consummated at death. When every faculty of the soul is completely renovated, and every un hallowed, passion and lust is subdued, the walls of the mortal part shall be taken down ; and the soul; fuNy ripe for glory, will be carried home to God. In that solemn and momentous period, some of the dear Saints have had such bright and overpowering visions of this glory, as to cause them apparently to be re-animated, while nature was dissolvingWhile the body has been emaciated with disease, and ready to sink under the pressure of death's cold hand, the soul has sprung forward to that " far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." This Was evidently the case with Stephen ; the' stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart gnashed up on him with their teeth, and were ready to cast him out of the city of Jerusalem, and stone him ; "But he being full of theHbly Ghost, looked up steadfastly b 3 11 into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus' standing on the right hand of God, and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right-hand of God ;" and while they stoned him,hecalled upon God, saying, "Lord Jesus,, receive my spirit." Thus, brethren, " You see the Christian, you seo his hold of heaven." Trusting in the Lord his Almighty Rock, his heart is fixed. Upheld and surrounded by the "ever lasting arms, the soul can venture into an eternal world. This honour have all the Saints. Their end is always safety, frequently peace, and Sometimes rapture. Blessed be God, that the believer's "life is hid with Christ in God," and that when he who is his life shall appear, then shall he also appear with him in glory. But once more-— It is not improbable but this- progression from glory to glory will be going on through all eternity. The exercise of, the blessed in heaven will be doubtless to view the glory of God through Christ the Mediator. What an ex alted idea does this convey of heaven ! Especially when we consider the object beheld as possessing aninfinite fulness and the human mind as always active, and growingly capacious. As the object 23 Contemplated is infinite, as the glory of his nature is inexhaustible, and as the soul is always pressing towards new discoveries, there must be a constant advancement in the happiness of glorified Saints. Yes, in God's own nature, there are heights of glory to which no human mind can soar ; there are depths which it cannot fathom, lengths which it -cannot reach, and breadths which it cannot grasp. The glory of God, after all our utmost comprehend sion, must for ever surpass our knowledge. See here then, my dear hearers, the nature o£ rational, scriptural happiness, and it's superiority tb the visionary phantom^ of infidels ! When the fancied deities of the heathen and the extravagant rhapsodies of their pOets are no more, God will be the life, the light, and the portion of his people. They will live, arid God will live in them, as the source of pure, uninterrupted and eternal felicity. What can possibly equal the idea of being " ever with the Lord," Who is the fountain of being and of uncreated happiness, and of beholding "with strong immortal sight" his glory, and going on from "glory to glory" while everlasting ages roll ! But I proceed— IV. To notice the agency of the Divine Spirit in the great work; "even as by the Spirit of the Lord.,'* B 4 24 By nature man has no suitable notion of GqcI \ no perception of his glory, and no saving know ledge of Jesus Christ. . " The natural man receiv- eth-not thethings of the Spirit of God, neither canhe know them, because they are spiritually discerned." But the Divine Spirit is sent forth for the express purpose of qualifying men for, and bringing them to the possession of these inestimable privileges. This blessed work is begun by effecting an im pression of the law of God upon the sinner's con science, by which the knowledge of sin is imparted, the awful purity of God is -dreaded, the moral pol lution of the soul is felt, the most awful danger is apprehended, and salvation from " the wrath to come" is earnestly sought. He then discovers to the awakened sinner the suitableness of the Lord Jesus Christ as a Saviour. He first convinces of sin, then of righteousness. By his divine agency the mind is illuminated, and furnished with a scriptural knowledge of Christ. Plis righteousness as commensurate to the requirements of, the law is discovered to him ; his death as the plenary sa tisfaction for sin, and the only available price for his redemption is revealed ; and his intercession, the great encouragement for him to draw near to the Mercy-seat, is contemplated with humble 'confidence. By faith, which is of the operation of this Divine Spirit, the Lord Jesus Christ as a prophet, priest and king is approved, the gospel record concerning him is believed, and the poor, guilty, polluted soul is surrendered to him, to be justified, sanctified, and preserved unto salvation. A real,, vital change in the sinner's state, nature and prospects is instantly effected. His actual union to Adam as a Covenant- head is dissolved, and he becomes married unto another, even unt:> Jesus Chribt; The torment ing sense 'of guilt is removed from his conscience, andthe pardoning love ofGod is applied to his heart. Christ is acknowledged by him as the fountain of his spiritual life, the spring of his activity, and the sole foundation of his hopes ; and by virtue de rived from him, he gradually grows into his like ness, and becomes fruitful in holiness. He gains the ¦ ascendency, over his carnal mind, and the strength of the inner man is renewed day by day. He goes on his way rejoicing ; and by the help of God lie is enabled to walk in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort ofthe Holy Ghost. Sometimes, indeed, his evidences are beclouded, and he is ready to faint while he is called to pursue his way. The principle of grace in his heart appears to him " like a spark in the ocean," and his corrup- 26 tions like the floods of great waters surround it: Adversity and affliction" like rolling billows threaten it's extinction , and the tempestuous assaults of the grand adversary the devil, call forth the most alarm ing fearsj that the heaven-born principle must in evitably perish ; till at length the dear Saviour1 draws nigh, and says " O thou of little faith, where-. fore didst thou doubt ?" Hast thou forgotten the omnipotence of mine arm, the all-sufficiency of my grace, the eternity of my love, and the security and veracity of my promise ? Surely* while my name is Jehovah thou shalt not, thou canst not be destroyed. Because I live, thou shalt live also. "This is the Father's will, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing." Trust then in me, and thou needest not to be afraid. Cast thy burden upon me, and I will sustain thee ; I will never suffer the soul of the righteous to be moved. "The mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee ; neither shall the cove nant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee." By the Spirit of God, the promised Comforter, the believer is enabled to lay hold of these sweet declarations, to realize their truth, and in the lan guage of holy confidence, to exult, " The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me, thy mercy, 27 0 Lord, endureth for ever, forsake not the work of thine oWn hands." Thus, brethren, the whole of this work of grace on, the heart from first to last is by the Holy Ghost. Do you know any thing of his operations ? Have your eyes been opened to see the excellency of gospel truths ? Have your consciences felt their fundamental importance ? Flave your hearts been opened to receive them ? Are you living upon them, and by them in your conduct and conversation ? If so, your privileges are distinguished, and your obligations are great . You are under the most solemn obligations to glorify God who hath made you to differ. Look back to that state of dark ness and error in which ye once were, and extol the riches of discriminating grace which has wrought the change. We hail you as the beloved of the Lord ; and would exhort youas " holy bre thren, partakers of the heavenly calling, to consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus ;^ who was faithful to him that, ap pointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this person was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, in as much as he that hath huilded the house, hath more glory than fhe -house. For every house is builded by some one ; but he 2S hat built all things is God. And Moses verify' was faithful in his house as a servant, for a testi mony of those things that were to be spoken after| but Christ as a son over his own house, whose house are we, if wc hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." Leam from this subject — The superiority of the gospel to the law ; as it respects the revelation that it gives of God's moral character, of the way of a sinner's access fo him* and of the whole plan of salvation. The gospel is called not only a new covenant,but also a better cove nant, established upon better promises. " Though God dwelt among the Jews, in visible glory, in the holy of holies, the people were kept at a dis tance, and the high-priests were to come thither but unce-a-year. Their veil, and smokes, and shadows,' did, as it were, .conceal God from them ; although they all were types of a future Messiah ; and even their Shekinali itself, or cloud of glory, gave them nc* spiritual idea or notion of Godhead, though it was a shining emblem of God dwelling among them".* But in the gOspel, " God Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light pf the knowledge of the glory of * Walte. 29 God in the face of JesusChrist."The veil which was. on the Jews, I conceive, was gradually removed, and the gospel day appeared more and more clear: from the days of Abel to the days of Moses, from Moses to the time of the prophets, and from the prophetic age to the time of Christ ; then the sha dows fled, and the substance came.. The Sun of righteousness arose, and then the stars, which had illuminated the former ages of the church, all dis appeared. And in him " we all with open face be holding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image, from glory to glory; even as by the spirit of the Lord." " Blessed are your eyes for they sec, and your ears for they hear, For verily 1 say unto you, that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them ; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them." " See that ye refuse not him that speaketh ; for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more, shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven." Learn also — The nature of personal religion ; which consists in a spiritual perception of the glory of God in so Christ, and a transformation of the mind into the same likeness. Too many, I fear, at this age of much profession, place all their dependence on speculative opinions in religion ; but theory will not do. Religion must have it's seat in the heart. Be assured, my dear hearers, that how ever consistent may be your views of evangelic truth ; however firm your attachment to it as a system ; and however zealous you may be in the defence and propagation of it, if you do not feel it's illuminating, humbling, and sanctifying influ ence upon your understanding, your heart, and your affections, you are essentially defective as to the main thing. You may have the form, but you have not the power of godliness. Nothing short of correct ideas of God, his nature, his cha racter, his will, and his plans- as" revealed ; together with a gradual assimilation to his likeness, consti tute real personal religion. " Consider what I say, and the Lord give you understanding in these im portant things." Learn further — The necessity of supreme love to Jesus Christ. He is worthy of all your hearts. As to his per sonal glories, he is " the chief among ten thou sand ;" " yea, he is altogether lovely." As to his official character, he is every way adapted to. SI your guilty, wretched, and insolvent circumstances; and as to his perfect sacrifice, it contains the sum total of all that you can desire as intelligent, im mortal beings involved in guilt. And yet not withstanding that all we need is laid up in him, all we enjoy comes from him, and all we see of God is through him, how cold are our affections ! How inadequately we value him ! How languid are our desires after him ! And how inconstant is our pbedience to his, commands ! Oh J may God Almighty, by his Eternal Spirit, circumcise all our hearts, and cause them to burn with unquenchable love to. the dear Saviour ! So that, contemplating the ineffable glory of God in his name, and living in the sweet enjoyment of communion with him, we may be " changed into ^he same image from glory to glory ; even as by the spirit of the Lord." Learn from this subject — ' Finally, The awful state of 'such as are destitute of divine illumination. I fear there are many in this christian congregation, who, though they are sitting^ under the gospel, which shines In it's meridian splen dour, are quite ignorant of it's glorious excellence. Let me assure you, in the words of the great apostle to the gentiles, that ". if our gospel be hid. 32 it is hid to them that are /