LECTURE XII. CONCLUDING LECTURE; WITH A LECTURE; WITH A PRACTICAL IMPROVEMENT OF THE WHOLE COURSE. BY THE REV. JAMES HALDANE STEWART, A.M. 2 PETER iii. 11, 12 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be, in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God. THE kind providence of God has brought us, my beloved friends, to the concluding Lecture of this deeply interesting course. I cannot enter upon it without offering up my unfeigned praises and thanksgivings to Almighty God for his great goodness, more especially in these particulars. First, in the wisdom, scriptural knowledge, and union of doctrine, which he has granted to his servants; so that with very limited opportunities for previous communication, there has been an entire accordance in their sentiments: each of the Lectures forming a distinct link in one united chain; powerful in itself, whilst at the same time it gives increased strength and firmness to the whole. Assuredly this is a cause for praise and thanksgiving. Since this general agreement affords a pleasing hope, that in answer to your prayers the Lord has graciously assisted his servants-has given to them "the spirit of love, and of power, and of a sound mind." Another particular cause for praise I consider to be that remarkable stillness and deeply fixed and devout attention which has pervaded the congregation,—a stillness which has been particularly noticed by almost each successive preacher, at times so profound that it might almost have reminded us of the words of the prophet, "The Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before him.' May this grace still be continued. May the Holy Spirit now vouchsafe his aid whilst I attempt I. TO REVIEW THE PROGRESSIVE STEPS IN WHICH THE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY HAS LED US. II. TO SET FORTH THE COURSE IT NOW BECOMES US TO PURSUE. *Habakkuk ii. 20. |