world; and compare the states of the Pharisee and tlie Publican, or of the martyred Stephen and his self-applauding murderers ; and then say, what principles are most salutary, and, what practice is most conducive to our true happiness. Away with all the systems then of man's device ; and embrace with your whole hearts " the glorious Gospel of the blessed God."
2. The comfort of having the Lord for our God —
[Who can ever rob us of that ? Who can take our God from us? or what can we want, if we have him for our friend ? We may be spoiled of all else ; but still we shall be rich. With his favour secured to us, and his love shed abroad in our hearts, we shall be truly happy ; like Paul, " having nothing, and yet possessmg all things." Seek ye then to have the Lord Jesus Christ abiding with you. Seek to have him for your sacrifice; him for your altar; " him for your Priest ;" and you may then be as confident of the divine favour as your hearts can wish. You may then safely adopt the language of Micah, and say, " I know that the Lord will do me good." God's favour is then made over to you by an everlasting covenant : it is con- firmed to you by promise and by oath, " by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to He." So that from henceforth you " may have strong consolation, if only you flee for refuge, to lay hold on the hope that is set before you\" Then you may look forward also to the day of judgment with assured confidence, that he who has witnessed the desires of your heart, will acknowledge you as his, and " claim you as his own when he shall make up his jewels'^." Then shall it be seen, beyond all contradiction, who was right ; the self-con- fident framer of a human system, or the humble follower of the Lamb : for " then shall all discern between the righteous and the wicked ; between him who served God, and him who served him not'."]
i Heb. vi. 17—19. i^ Mai. iii. 16, 17. ' Mai. iii. 18.