consists. We quite mistake if we imagine that religion consists in notions or in forms : it is a taste ; a taste not formed by nature or education ; but wrought in us by the Spirit of God : and the acquisition of this constitutes our meetness for heaven. What happiness could a soul that feels the exercises of devotion irksome, find in heaven ; where the singing praises to God and to the Lamb forms the one employment of all around the throne, and will to all eternity ? If this be not the pleasure which you chiefly affect in this world, be assured that you are not prepared to unite with saints and angels in the world to come. If this be not your state, whatever knowledge you may possess, you are yet carnal : for God himself has said, that " they who are after the flesh do mind (savour) the things of the flesh ; and they who are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit^." I pray you then to seek your happiness in God ; and never to rest, till you can say, " Whom have I in heaven but Thee 1 and there is none upon earth that I desire besides Thee^."]
2 Rom. viii. 5. <ppoyovaiv.
^ If this be a subject at the Opening of a Church or Chapel, the great need that there was of a place of worship may be stated, and a hope expressed, that it may be the means of preparing many for the Church above,
Ps xxvii. 8. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face ; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.
PERHAPS there are few things which more strongly characterize a child of God, than a spirit of prayer. The Lord's faithful servants are particularly designated as " a people near unto him'':" whilst of the hypocrite it is pointedly asked, " Will he always call upon God? Will he delight himself in the Almighty^?" The invitations of God are common to all : but the way in which they are received con- stitutes the difference between the child of this world and the child of God.
The words before us, whilst they describe the ex- perience of David, will lead me to shew,
I. In what light the invitations of God are, for the most part, regarded — God is incessantly calling men to seek his face —
^ Ps. cxlviii. 14. ^ Job xxvii. 10.