EVIDENCES OF FORGIVENESS. 171 many, for the remission of sins." Matt. 26 : 28. As if he had said, " The end for which I have appointed the observance of this duty and service to you is, that I may testify thereby to you, that by my blood, the sacrifice of myself, and the atonement made thereby, I have pur- chased for you the remission of your sins, of which you shall assuredly be made partakers." And what is the end of all church order, assemblies and worship? What is a church 1 Is it not a company of sinners gathered together, according to God's ap- pointment, to give glory and praise to him for pardon- ing grace, for the forgiveness of sins, and to yield him that obedience which he requires from us, on account of his having so dealt with us 1 This is the nature, this is the end of a church. He that understands it not, he that uses it not to that end, does but abuse that great institution. And of such abuse the world is full. Some endeavor to gain their awn secular advantage through the church. Some discharge the duty required in it, with secret hopes that it shall be their righteousness before God. Some seek to hush their convictions by an empty profession. But the true end, the true use of worship is this we assemble ourselves, to learn that there is forgiveness with God through Christ ; to pray that we may be made partakers of it ; to bless andpraise God for our interest in it ; to engage ourselves to the obedience which he requires on account of it. And were this constantly upon our minds, and in our de- signs, we might be more established in the faith of it than it may be the most of us are. 6. One particular instance more of this nature shall conclude this evidence. God hath commanded us, the Lord Christ hath taught us, topray for the pa don of sin, which gives us unquestionable security that it may be attained, that it is to be found in God. One of the petitions which our Lord has left on record for our use,
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