Not a voice is heard in heaven which does not give glory to God and to the Lamb : nor on earth should a soul be found that does not say, " Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name be the praise."]
Let me now observe,
1. If this be religion, how little is there of true
religion upon earth !
[Where do you find men of the character above de- scribed ? How few are there, how very few, in whom this is found to be the prevailing habit of their minds ! An attention to doctrines is frequent; nor is regard for moral duties uncommon : but such views of Christ, such respect to his authority, such love to his name, such dependence on his grace, such zeal for his glory, and, withal, such an over- whelming sense of his love as swallows up every other feeling ; where are these found ? In how very small a measure are they possessed by the very best amongst us ! and how far are the generality from possessing them at all ! Yet it is by this standard that all Christian experience must be tried. My dear brethren, get your minds rightly instructed in this matter ; and then will you be able to form a right judgment, both of your own state and of every thing around you.]
2. If this be true religion, how happy a man is the true Christian !
[Doubtless the Christian must be conscious of innume- rable defects, and must find cause in himself for the deepest humiliation. But, in proportion as he has attained this expe- rience, tell me whether he be not happy ? tell me whether he be not a far happier man than the possession of the whole world could make him ? I know that an ignorant ungodly world will deride this as enthusiasm : but the passage which I before cited, in reference to natural religion, is amply suffi- cient to shew that this experience is most rational, and indis- pensable to the Christian character. What are the feelings of one who, in the daily habit of his mind, "lives, and moves, and has his being in God?" Precisely such are the Chris- tian's feelings towards the Lord Jesus Christ, only elevated by a sense of redeeming love. " Believe ye then in Christ ;" and " abide in him " by the exercise of faith and love : and let him be " your life :" yea, " live altogether by faith in Him who has loved you, and given himself for you." Then will you " rejoice in him even now, with a joy that is unspeakable and glorified," and soon be partakers of " all the fulness of joy at God's right hand for evermore."]