324 HOFE EXCLUDED FROM IiOPE.' `SERJ . XIX. nobusiness of great sagacity, no iugenio:us matter to be -.. comea christian. Believe the truths that are plainly re- vealedi concerning your own : sin and misery, and: the power: ofJesus Christ to save you ; bewail your own, wretchedness and guilt, and intrust yourselves -in the arms of his grace, that ye maybe made holy andhappy, and yé also shall become possessors of the same kinñ dom. Father, I thank thee, Lord .of heaven and earth,. that though.these things may be hidden from the wise and the prudent, yet thou hast revealed them to babes, Mat. xi. 25. But I pursue the distributions of this grace yet farther. 5. No particular tempers or constitutions of men, no different qualities of soul or body, can :exclude those that believe from . the grace or blessings of this gospel. Let not the strong man glory in his strength, nor the comely figures of, human nature boast themselves in their beauty. Let not the weak be overwhelmed with despair; nor the deformed or uncomely stand afar off and aban- don. their-hopes.; the same Saviour proposes the riches of his grace to all. Learn therefore to look upon all your natural advantages, and all your natural discou- ragements, with a negligent eye in the matter ofyour - salvation. If you would be strong., to win heaven, you must borrow all your strength fromChrist and the gospel, :If you would appear comely and honourable before the -face of God, you must be clothed in the robe, of righte, ousness, and the. garments of salvation, which he has prepared, Is.1xi..10. Nor can any difference in the .natural qualities of the soul forbid any person who believes in Christ to hope for this salvation: Those who are by nature proud or peevish, sullen or-passionate, angry or revengeful, have been ruade partakers of this grace, as well as those who by, the complexion of their animal frame, and the origi- :nal temper of their minds, have had more of the, natural virtues belonging to them ; such as gentleness, meekness ofspirit, good -humour and kindness. Those who have something in their very frame that is sly and crafty,, or covetous, wanton, and intemperate, have felt the power of this gospel, as well as those that have been generous and sincere, modest, chaste, and abstemious; for the grace of the gospel, which was typified by the ark of
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