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spirits exhausted, and this our earthly tabernacle just about to be diffolved; when neither riches, nor power, nor friends, can any longer avail to our prefervation, our fecurity, or our ease; to have then the teftimony of our consciences that with fimplicity and godly fincerity we have had our conversation in the world; and in confequence thereof to be poffeffed of a rational wellgrounded hope of a blessed immortality, is fuch a happy state of mind, at fo gloomy and uncomfortable a season, that it well deferves the care of our whole lives to provide and enfure it. . But now, there is no other way of obtaining this, than by a timely and due attention to this general precept, Keep innocency, and take heed unto the thing that is right; because that, and that only, fhall bring a man peace at the last." To this indeed must be added a firm truft in the mercies of God, through

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the merits and mediation of his Son Jefus Chrift: Forafmuch as the best men, conscious to themselves of many fins, and numberlefs deviations from divine law, cannot abide the trial of fevere justice, but in virtue of his atonement, who, by his own death upon the crofs has destroyed fin, the fting of death, and is therefore" able to save them to the uttermoft, that come unto God by Him; feeing He ever liveth to make interceffion for them.",

But if fuch extraordinary means of divine grace, even the precious blood of the only-begotten Son of God, be indifpenfibly neceffary for the falvation of the most holy and virtuous of mankind; where fhall the ungodly and the finner appear? What comfort fhall they find, or whither fhall they flee for refuge, in their lateft extremities, who have all along defpifed the goodnefs and forbear

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ance of God, calling, and waiting continually for their repentance ? We may be affured, that neither the precarious groans and vows of a death-bed, nor the ministry of the Prieft, nor any other expedient, can change the conditions of the gospel covenant, or alter the thing that is gone out of those lips which are never opened in vain. God himself hath faid it, "There is no peace to the wicked :" And the Apostle hath declared in his name, "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord."

May it therefore be the first and principal concern of every one amongst us, at least in this our day, whilst we are blessed with grace and opportunity, to know and pursue the things that belong unto our peace, our present and eternal peace, before they are hid from our eyes!

SERMON

SERMON XXVII.

I. THESSALONIANS, V. 16.

Rejoice evermore.

THE great excellence and design of the Christian Religion, is to con

duct it's profeffors through this pilgrimage of life, with as much eafe, compla

cency and comfort, as the prefent conftitution of human affairs will poffibly admit of; till they come to that final reft, and happiness, prepared for the fpirits of just men made perfect. All it's revealed truths, it's precepts, it's promises, and even it's threatenings, are

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plainly and admirably adapted to this moft gracious purpofe; that by informing our minds, directing our wills, and fettling our affections upon their proper objects, we might rejoice in God here, and enjoy Him hereafter. The first endearing invitation of our Bleffed Redeemer was Reft, reft to the wearied foul; and his laft legacy was Peace.

If then we are miferable under fo aufpicious and comfortable a difpenfation, it must be our own fault; either owing to fome unhappy mifconception of the heavenly doctrines of the gospel, or to fome negligent or wilful oppofition to it's holy institutes. Hence thefe affectionate and repeated admonitions of St. Paul to all true Difciples of ChriftRejoice evermore "-" Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I fay, rejoice." Finally, my Brethren, rejoice in

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