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lieve he (i. e., Christ) is precious." 1 Pet. ii. 7.

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"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not, is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." John iii. 16-18.

"Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation." 1 Pet. i. 5.

"This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 1 John v.

4.

"For our light affliction, which is

but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Cor. iv. 17, 18.

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day." 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8.

LOVE TO CHRIST AND SPIRITUAL OBJECTS.

Divine love, which is one of the most elevating emotions of the soul, is awakened by a perception of ex. cellent qualities in the object beloved. In its absence, our religion

God or

An inplace of

is cold and intellectual merely, and therefore not acceptable to cheering to our own hearts. spired writer gives it the pre-eminence among the Christian graces; as he says, "now abideth faith, hope, and charity, (or love) and the greatest of these is charity." It is a thing impossible, that the soul should have any just perception of the perfections of God, without being excited to a love of adoration; nor can we experience the benefits conferred on us by the grace of God in Christ Jesus, without the love of gratitude. Love is one of the most animating principles in religion; "the love of Christ constraineth us. "" Under the influence of this pure and heaven-born affection, Christ becomes exceedingly precious and one altogether lovely. His image is cherished

in the heart; his laws become our delight; his glory our aim; his presence our chief joy, and every thing displeasing to him becomes hateful to us. Heaven is desirable to the believer, because there the object of our love is fully disclosed, and our love becomes perfect. It is an undoubted mark of genuine religion, when our affections are fixed on things in heaven, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God; and unless we, in a pre-eminent degree, love the law of God, the ways of God, the worship of God, the people of God, and especially the Son of God, who died for our salvation and rose again, we are none of his.

Those who, in the near approach of death, feel a peculiar desire to make their calling and election sure, should faithfully examine into the

state of their religious affections, and for this end bring their hearts to the test of the infallible word.

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment." Matt. xxii.

37, 38.

"He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me." Matt. x. 37.

"Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity." Eph. vi. 24.

"Jesus said, If God were your Father, ye would love me." John viii.

42.

"This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments, and his

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