There, if we really desire it, our eyes shall be opened, our clouds of darkness dispelled, our chains broken, our iniquities pardoned, and the whole work of salvation perfected within us._ _ Should we then grudge the time that will be occupied in waiting upon God? Should we prefer business, or pleasure, or any worthless indulgences, on the Sabbath, to a devout attendance on the house of prayer ? Or should we fear a little banter and ridicule, or the loss of any temporal interest, which may be incurred by shewing an attachment to the Gospel of Christ ? If we could have access to any that are now before the throne of God, and could ask them, what they thought of the ordinances? Would they shew towards them the in- difference that we do ? Would the three thousand who were converted on the day of Pentecost, express regret, that ever they heard that^ sermon of Peter's, and " continued steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers?" Learn then now to think of the ordi- nances as you will think of them hereafter ; improve them, whether on the Sabbath-day, or week-day, as you will hereafter wish that you had improved them ; and beg of God in private, before ever you go up to his public ordinances, that you may draw water with joy out of those wells of salvation."]
3. How efficacious a principle is faith ! [The concluding words of our text are generally considered as connected only with the word that immediately precedes them : and certainly, in this sense, they declare a most impor- tant truth, namely, that we are " sanctified by faith in Christ." But vve^ apprehend, that a comma should follow the word " sanctified ;" and that the last words of the text should be connected with both the clauses that precede ita. Faith is in reality that principle, by which, and by which alone, we obtain all spiritual blessings. Certainly it is that by which we receive the " forgiveness of our sinsb :" for nothing but faith will unite us to Christ, or interest us in his meritorious death and pas- sion. It is by faith also that we must be "sanctified0;" for we cannot be renewed but by the Holy Spirit ; nor can we receive the Spirit but from, and through, the Lord Jesus Christ, in the exercise of faith. Finally, it is by faith that we must obtain " that inheritance, which God has prepared for them that love him." We must " live by faith," and " stand by faith," and " walk by faith," and be " saved by faith," from first to last. The very text informs us, that by faith we are justified, and sanctified, and glorified. Let us then beg of God to infuse this divine principle into our hearts Let us study
a Thus — " That ye, by the faith that is in Christ, may receive, &c." b Rom. v. 1. c Acts xv. 9.