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fhed abroad in the heart, it naturally transforms us into his image and likenefs; or, as the apoftle exprefses it, “Beholding, as in a glass, the glory of the "Lord, we are changed into the fame image, from "glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord." The foul that is actuated by this Divine principle, views the character of God as that perfect pattern, to which its temper and conduct ought to be conformed. It is true, in this state of mortality, our refemblance to the Deity muft, after all our exertions, be very imperfect; but ftill we ought to be endeavouring to advance in the scale of virtue, and make progress in perfection. A perfect and complete example is fet before us, that, by aiming at that which is most excellent, we may arrive at the greatest height in religion of which our natures are capable.

Thus, then, you fee the meaning of the precept in the text. Our Saviour requires us to cultivate a fincere and prevailing love to God, and to be continually afpiring after a nearer and more perfect refemblance of him.

It now only remains that we direct you to a fuitable improvement.

1. How amiable and excellent is the religion of Jefus! How gloriously distinguished from the ancient religions of the heathen world, and from thofe that now prevail in the dark places of the earth, which are full of the habitations of cruelty! What unworthy conceptions had the heathens of their gods! How corrupt and vicious was their worship! Their religious rites were inhuman and barbarous; and their manners agreeable to the characters of their gods. But the gofpel gives us the most rational and confiftent. notions of the Supreme Being. It eftablishes his perfect holiness, and his abhorrence of all manner of fin. By what lovely titles is he represented in the New Teftament! How does it abound with declarations of his.

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love to the children of men! He is defcribed as a pure Spirit, infinitely perfect, the Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in all; the God and Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift; the Father of mercies, and God of all confolation; nay, he is faid to be Love itself, and to dwell in love.

2. The best, and most substantial practice of religion, confifts in the imitation of God's moral perfec tions, thofe Divine qualities which the fcripture comprehends under the name of Holinefs. In the imita tion of God in thefe qualities, pure and undefiled religion confists. Of this, even fome of the wiser heathens were fenfible; and the holy fcriptures often reprefent it as the end and defign of the gospel. How much, therefore, is it to be wifhed, that none who pretend to religion would substitute, in the room of this perfection, either that which is merely external, as an outward profeffion and the enjoyment of churchprivileges, or those things which are rather the means of religion, than religion itself.

3. Let us reverence and adore this all-perfect God. He is infinitely removed from every kind and degree of imperfection, and poffeffed of the highest excellence. How ought our fouls, then, to proftrate themfelves before him! With what seriousness and veneration ought we to worship him! With what reverence and humility should we, at all times, think and fpeak of him! Worldly grandeur excites our admiration; the thoughts of earthly majesty compofe us to reverence: How much more fhould these effects be produced by thofe excellencies which are infinitely beyond our comprehenfion? Let us, therefore, admire and venerate the All-perfect JEHOVAH. Let us particularly beware of pronouncing his facred Name in a careless manner, and of profaning his holy day Let us tremble at the thought that we have finned against him, and be concerned, for the future, to love

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him with all our hearts, and serve him with fubmiffion and cheerfulness.

Lafly, Let us all be exhorted to imitate God in his imitable perfections; fuch as, his holiness, justice, goodnefs, and truth.

(1.) Let us imitate him in his purity and holiness: "As he," fays the apoftle, "who has called you, is "holy, fo be ye holy in all manner of converfation." Holiness is a perfection frequently afcribed to God in fcripture. He is ftyled, Glorious in holinefs, the Holy One of Ifrael. Holiness is the beauty of his nature, and the glory of his other perfections. Let us, then, endeavour to resemble him in it: "I am the "Lord your God," fays he to the children of Ifrael: "ye fhall therefore fanctify yourselves; and ye fhall "be holy, for I am holy (a)." Let us, therefore, cultivate a deep and rooted averfion to all manner of fin, fince it is that abominable thing which God hates with a perfect hatred; and let us daily afpire after that holiness, that purity of heart and life, which a one is the image of God, and the beginning of fuure happinefs.

(2.) In his juftice or righteoufnefs. This per fection is alfo frequently afcribed to God in fcripture, and fo conftantly fuppofed to belong to him, that he appeals to the reason and judgment of mankind, for the equity of his conduct. Not but that clouds and darknefs may fometimes be round about him; it may be often difficult to reconcile the difpenfations of his providence with his perfections, or one providence with another: ftill, however, juftice and judgment are the habitation of his throne. Let us then endeavour to refemble God in this venerable attribute. And, how fhall we do fo, but by being ftrictly juft and righteous as he is? Let us then render to all their due: let us give to God that religious feat, · worship and obedience, which we owe him. Let us

(a) Lev. xi. 44.

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never do that to another, which we would not that another should do unto us. Let us not deceive or defraud our brother, in any matter; and if we are called to determine controverfies, let us always judge righteous judgment. Thus we fhall approve our felves to God, through Jefus Chrift: For the Righte ous Lord loveth righteoufnefs, his countenance doth behold the upright. Nay, this is the diftinguishing character of his children: " In this," fays the apostle John," the children of God are manifeft, and the children of the devil: whofoever doth not righte "s oufness, is not of God, neither he that loveth not "his brother (a)."

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(3.) In his goodness, love, and mercy. Thefe are illuftrious attributes of God, in which he particularly glories. He is good to all; his tender mercies are over all his works; creation, providence, and redemption abound with difcoveries of it.. He is rich in mercy to the miferable; his grace triumphs over great unworthiness, and confers benefits on the vileft offenders. Here, then, is a pattern worthy of our imitation; an example so amiable and attractive, that methinks it should immediately engage our attention. But, befides this, it is also recommended to us by the highest authority: "Beloved," fays the apostle John, "let us love one another; for love is of God," nay, "God is love."-Be ye kind one to another," fays the apostle Paul," tender-hearted, forgiving one an"other, even as God, for Chrift's fake, hath for"given you." Shall any then pretend to refemble God, who is deftitute of kind affections to his fellowcreatures?

(4.) In his truth and faithfulness. Truth and faithfulness are Divine perfections; but falfehood and deceit are properties of the devil. Would you then refemble God? Be true and faithful. Never give that to another, as truth, which you know to be (a) John iii, 10.

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false, with an intention to deceive him. Never invoke the God of Truth to bear witnefs to a falsehood; for this is one of the moft aggravated provocations you can give him. But let us, on the contrary, inwardly abhor all manner of falfehood and diffimulation. Putting away lying, let us speak the truth every man to his neighbour, and be religiously careful to fulfil our engagements, and perform our promises, especially those made in the presence of God. "When thou vowest a vow," fays Solomon, "defer not."

And, now, to conclude, would you fhow yourfelves Christians indeed? Would you do honour to religion, and adorn the doctrine of God your Saviour? Would you retrieve the credit of your profeffion, and make your religion appear to the world in its native beauty? In a word, would you reap the joys of holinefs yourselves, and recommend it effectually to others? Then be perfuaded to imitate God in his moral perfections: pray for the Holy Spirit to form you into a resemblance of him, and be always rifing in a real conformity, till at laft you arrive at the ftature of perfect men in Chrift Jefus.

SER.

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