SERM. xI.] THE FELICITY OF CREATVRES. 193 attend at that solemn worship, is not very necessary to determine. Either of these may `be called dwelling in the courts of God. But it is most probable, that the sacred writer designs the second sense of the word, and that he includes himself in the desire or possessionof this blessedness, though he was neither a priest nor a levite; for he uses the same phrase in several places, and ap- plies it to himself; Ps. xxvii. 4. One thing have I de- sired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the daysof my l/é. Ps. xxiii. 6. I will dwell in the house of the "Lordfor ever. By which he intimates, that he would seek the most frequent opportunities of approaching God in pub- lic worship. It is sufficient to my present purpose, that the holy Psalmist makes the 'blessedness of man to depend upon his near approaches to God. Here we should remember, that God is necessarily near to all his creatures, by his infinite knowledge, by his preserving and governing power: He is not far from every one of us : for in himwe live, and move, andhave our being, Acts xvii. 27, 28. But the privilege which David speaks of in my text, is a peculiar approach of a creature to God, which is a fruit of divine choice and favour. The souls who enjoy this blessing are chosen to it, and by divine providence and mercy are caused to approach him. What further explication of this phrase is necessary, will be sufficiently given in the following parts of the discourse. Let this then be the doctrine which I shall attempt to confirm and improve, viz. Doctrine. Nearness to God is the foundation of a creature's happiness. This may be proved with ease, if we consider, what it is that makes an intelligent being happy ; and how well such an approach to God furnishes us with all the means of attaining it. The ingredients of happiness are these three : The contemplation of the most excellent object: The love of the chiefest good : And a delightful sense of being be- loved by an all-sufficient power, or an almighty friend. I., The contemplation of the most excellent object. And he who is nearest to God, bas the fairest advan- VOL. Z. O
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