SERM. XII. THE SCALE OF BLESSEDNESS. 209 Christ. This is the great end of all the privileges before- mentioned, which either Jew or Gentile ;ere partakers of: This was the design of all the approaches that. God made towards them. Peace and salvation were preached to those which were afar off, and to them that were nigh, and Christ died to reconcile both unto God; and that through him both might have an access by one Spirit unto the Father., Eph. Vii. 16, 17, 18. 1Vhy are ail the alluring glories of the Lord displayed before us, in his gospel, but that we might be drawn to love him? Why are these wonderous manifestations of his grace made to us, but that we might become the objects of his love, and taste of his special goodness. Happy persons «rho are weary of their old estrange- ment fromGod, who have heard and have received the offers of his mercy, who have made their solemn ap- proaches to God by Jesus the Mediator, and are joined to the Lord in a sweet and everlasting- covenant !..Hap, py creatures, who behold the beauties of their Maker's face with double pleasure, who love him with all their souls, and begin to taste the love of his heart too ! This is a matter of special privilege. Blessed are the men who are thus chosen by divine grace, and whom he has caused to approach to himself by the converting power of his own Spirit!. Let them come, let them come, and give up their names to his churches; let, them take up their places, and dwell in his courts on earth, and thus make á nearer approach to his court of heaven. O that sinners would once be convinced that there are divine pleasures in religion, and joys which the stranger intermeddles not with ! O that they would be once brought to believe, that happiness consists in approach- ing to God ! That they would but give credit to the re- port of wise and holy men, who have lived in humble con- verse with God many years ! What a sacred and supe- rior pleasure it is, above all the joys of sense, to love the great and blessed God, and to know that he loves me! To walk all the day in the light ofhis countenance ! To have hirn near me as a counsellor, whose advice I may ask in every difficulty of life ! To be ever near lh m as my guard, and to fly from every danger to the wing of his protection! To have such an almighty Friend with VOL. I. g
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