given of them, and which, by way of Paraphrase, may run thus: O, thou great and gracious Being, who hast purchased to thyself the name of Father of all men and things by Creation and Prefervation, of all men in general by Redemption, and of all Chriftians in particular by Regeneration and Adoption, who hast all the perfections which an earthly parent can have in an infinite degree, and art entirely free from all their blemishes, who, in refpect of the diffufion of thy presence, art every where, in refpect of the operations of thy grace doft dwell in good men, and in respect of the manifeftation of thy Majefty art faid to be in Heaven, we come before Thee, as commanded by thy bleffed Son, to petition for the relief of our wants, and the pardon of our fins, bringing with us thofe affections which the confideration of a Father, and of a Father which is in Heaven, ought to breed in the breafts of his children. When we confider thy infinite Majesty, Power, and Justice, we are ftruck with the moft pious humility, re verence, verence, and fear, are actuated with the most firm refolutions of obedience; when we contemplate thy goodnefs, wifdom, and knowledge, we feel the moft exalted fentiments of love and gratitude, fubmiffion and refignation, confidence and fincerity; when we reflect on thy example we are infpired with an univerfal love and charity for all men; when we confider that the Heavens are thy habitation, we look with indifference on things of this life, and defire to enjoy complete happiness with thee in Heaven; and in order to enfure ourfelves a place there, we make thefe affections the ruling principles of our lives and converfations; we always fet thy example before our eyes, and make as children ought, the imitation of our Father's perfections the chief study of our thoughts, the chief purport of our words, the chief business of our actions, the chief happiness of our lives. Now to God the Father, &c. H 2 SERMON |
