possessed of those very perfections which are there ascribed to him. He particularly sees these perfections harmonizing, and glorified, in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ ; or, if he be not perfectly clear in his views of these things, he at least is sensible that the divine mercy flows only in one channel, and can be imparted only through the atoning blood of Christ.]
They so know him as to "set their love upon him" —
[It is not a mere speculative knowledge that Christians possess (in this the ungodly may far surpass them), but such a practical knowledge as influences their heart and life. They feel an interest in every perfection of the Deity. The justice and holiness of God are as amiable in their eyes as his love and mercy. From what they know of him they are constrained to love him, yea, to " set their love upon him," with intenseness of desire and fixedness of affection.]
They wait upon him in continual prayer —
[Others may keep up an outward form of devotion, or even be exceedingly earnest in prayer on some particular occa- sion; but they alone can maintain a real intercourse with the Deity, who have been taught by the Holy Spirit both to know and love him. When they have been thus enlightened and re- newed, they will feel the necessity, and taste the sweetness, of secret prayer, and will account it their highest honour and hap- piness to have access unto their God at the throne of grace ; nor will they ever be satisfied with the worship they offer, if they do not " worship him in spirit and in truth."]
In perfect correspondence with their character will be found,
II. Their privileges —
There is nothing good which shall he withheld from them in time or eternity. God will vouchsafe to them,
1. Answers to prayer — [They who offer their petitions only in a formal manner, never expect an answer to them. They conceive that all tes- timonies from God respecting the acceptance of our prayers are chimerical and enthusiastic in the extreme. But God is at no loss to impart to his people a clear and lively sense of his approbation. He most assuredly will answer them, though not by tokens that may be heard or seen, yet by sensible communi- cations, and effectual interpositions. Are they laden with guilt? their burthen shall be removed, and they shall be filled with peace and joy. Are they bowed clown under trials and temp- tations ? they shall be strengthened by his grace, and be made more than conquerors over all. And though they cannot infal- libly conclude from any feelings of their mind that God has