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tainments and happiness, the glory of GoD is displayed, the image of GOD is exhibited, the happiness of the faints is demonstrated. It is our duty affuredly to glorify God, and to do good to men. We do both in preferving the name of the righteous with honour.

PIETY delights in beholding the glory of the LORD in all his works and ways; in the heavens, in the earth, in the sea and the dry land. There are manifeftations of his glory, however, more especially attracting and affecting. What is seen of GOD in the history and character of the faints, is of this order. We see the divine wisdom, goodness, power, fovereignty, faithfulness, in raising them up; in the difpenfations of his providence towards them, in the influence of his grace; in their being fanctified, established, settled; in their being "kept through faith unto falvation." We find the faints afcribe their falvation, in all its parts, to the bleffing of GoD: "In me," fays the apostle, "JESUS CHRIST fhewed all long-fuffering: By the grace of God I am "what I am:" Chriftians, in finding the perfecutor and blafphemer preaching the faith which he once destroyed, glorified God

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in him. In the progrefs and perfection of the fpiritual life, and in the history of the faints; the prefence, the power, the faithfulness of God, are manifefted, according to their varying condition and exigencies. Is it not our duty to preserve such displays of GOD, that the affections and graces of piety may be awakened and cherished? This we do by holding the righteous in reputation.

It is our duty to venerate the image of GOD: we must therefore refpect and honour those who are his workmanship, who are renewed after his likeness in righteousness and true holiness; who are his children, heirs of GOD, and joint heirs with JESUS CHRIST. The charms and attractions of the moft perfect form, what are they compared to thofe of the beauty of holinefs? Where is proportion and grace, and dignity, equal to theirs who are the children of the Higheft? To depart from these natural and fcriptural allufions to fenfible objects; the righteous refemble GOD, (and therefore their memory fhould be preferved and honoured,) in every moral perfection. GoD is glorious in holinefs JESUS, the image of the invifible GOD, F

was

was holy, harmless, undefiled: the righteous ftrive to be perfect, as their father in heaven is perfect; to be holy as GoD is holy, to have the fame mind in them that was also in CHRIST. They resemble GoD in his goodnefs they are imitators of God as dear children, and walk in love; after his example who went about doing good, and gave himfelf for us, a facrifice of a sweet smelling favour unto GOD. Like their bleffed Lord, they delight in the fervice of GOD; they delight greatly in the way of his commandments. In regarding the righteous with pleasure and approbation, as thus resembling GOD, we will be conftrained and determined to preferve their memory with honour.

GOD is glorified when men are faved. How exalted is the object, confidered in every point of light! philanthropy rejoices in the happiness of our fellow creatures: piety exults in the adorations and joyful worfhip of the redeemed; in life, through the churches, over the world, to ages of ages. Happy are they who in any way contribute to the revenue of praife to Him that fitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb; who, in other

other words, are inftrumental to the conviction, converfion, and falvation of the fouls of men: Happy are they who, by paying due honour to the righteous, and making their light to fhine before men, induce them to glorify their heavenly Father!

AFTER pondering fuch confiderations for holding the righteous in endeared remembrance; do you inquire how it will be best cherished, expreffed and preferved?

PART III.

THIS is the last division of discourse. What are the methods by which we shall most effectually contribute to the worthy memory of the righteous? I anfwer, For this purpofe, in the first place, Carefully review their worth and character from time to time: Secondly, Give thanks to GOD for their worth and excellence, and the bleffings through them conferred upon you: Thirdly, Imitate the righteous: I add, in the laft place, It will have the happiest effects on your efteem for them, and its influence on yourfelves to contemplate the honours of the righteous in this world, and in the eternal world. THE

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THE firft and effential rule for holding the righteous in an endeared remembrance, is,

CAREFULLY review their character and worth, from time to time.

I CAN eafily figure fome occafions in which it is little neceffary to defire men to dwell on the history and worth of their valuable friends. Are they taken from them at a time they did not look for, and were reckoning on the continuance of their friendship? when, too, men are placed in the circumftances wherein they formerly experienced, and much need the wife counfel and effectual help of their friends: on occafions of this nature, their thoughts are full of them, and their tongue is the pen of a ready writer, in uttering lamentations, and in offering liberal tributes of praife. By and by, however, we find them greatly changed; business and pleasure occupy the mind, and engross the heart, and we as much regret their forgetfulness, as we complained of their being in danger formerly of being swallowed up of forrow; and that, in celebrating the worth of the abfent objects of their affection,

they

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