and of a sense of God's love shed abroad in his heart, you would account it all enthusiasm and delusion. Say, then, whether you be not in a most deplorable condition ? For, if God's anger be not turned away from you here, do you suppose it shall be in the eternal world ? No, indeed : you will there have to endure his frowns to all eternity, and to " drink of the cup of his indignation for ever and ever." The Lord avert from every one of you this fearful doom ! But remember, that till your experience accord in good measure with that described in my text, you have not any scriptural hope of happiness in the realms of bliss. It is in vain to think that you shall spend eternity in songs of praise, when you have never had your hearts tuned to them in this present life.]
2. Offer my congratulations to those with whom
this day has commenced —
[Though, as far as respects God's ancient people and the world at large, this day is yet distant, to the real Christian it is already come; as many of you, I trust, can attest. And what terms can I find sufficient to express the congratulations due to you ? Carnal friends will congratulate you on the ac- quisition of wealth and honour : but if crowns and kingdoms had been given you, I should account them of no value in comparison of the blessings which you enjoy. Pardon of sin, peace with God, the consolations of his Spirit, and the prospect of his glory — what on earth can be added to you? The things of this world, in comparison of all this, are but as the small dust upon the balance. I ask not, whether you possess any earthly comfort : if God be yours, what can you want ? If " God be your strength, your song, and your salvation," truly you have heaven already begun in your souls. Know, then, your blessedness, and estimate it aright : and not only " say, O Lord, I will praise thee," but do it : do it with your whole hearts ; do it with your whole souls ; and do it, not only with your lips, but in your lives ; by giving up yourselves to His service, and by walking before him in righteousness and holi- ness, without ceasing, and without reserve.]