Watts - Houston-Packer Collection BX5207.W3 S4x 1805 v.1

BERM. XIV.] HERE AND HEREAFTER, 249 a Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts, 'Lech. x 21. The children of God .here, are under a veil of infirm .and sinful flesh, and in the likeness of sinners; there they are ,unveiled, and acknowledged to be the sons and daughters of the Almighty ; 1 John iii. 1. Behold, what manner If love the Father bath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the Sons of ÇodI But the world knows us not; nay, we are not many times known to ourselves; but when he cornes whom we have trusted, then he shall be known and distinguished from the world, as God's only begotten Son ; and we shall be known and distinguished as the children of God, all related, and a-kin to him :When he appears we shall be like him, for we shad see him as he is, 1 John iii. 2. and shall sufficiently be distinguished from all who belong not to Christ. Here a child of God, in the sanctuary, is deeply hum- bled at the mention of the name of God but his humi- lity is not seen. Here his zeal kindles at the proposal of a duty, but it burns with a hidden flame: Here his love is at work, bis hope is arising, his joy is getting up to heaven, when he is engaged in the meditation of a com- fortable promise, or some of the blessed privileges of the children of God; while those who are around him, even his next neighbogr who sits close to him, knows nothing of the holy workings of his heàrt, and the breathings of his soul towards God,: But there the whole assembly shall worship with one heart, and one soul, and not one wandering worshipper, or one wandering thought in worship. We are ready to complain here, that we ourselves know not whether we shall be accepted. or no; through the weakness of faith, want of holiness, decay ofzeal in our spirits, and that degeneracy we sometimes find and feel in ourselves, we are often ready to doubt, and al- most upon the borders of despair. This is the case of many a poor, trembling christian ; but there every one shall worship with strength 'of joy, liveliest delight, and warmest zeal and affections: and be assured his graces are all true, for he shall . see them in all the light Of glory. This Suspicion or jealousy of ourselves, flattens our

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