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

54 i'17iVAIE1S WITNESS TO t14RISTIANITY. CSh`RM. III'. of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, they are enemies of the cross, and dishonours to the gospel, instead of evidences of the truth of it ; their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame; whereas our conversation is in heaven, whence we expect Jesus the Saviour; 18, 19, 0. We who are here upon earth, and have be- lieved the gospel of Christ, we should live as though we had part of ourselves in heaven already, our conversa- tion should be so holy and divine. Eternal life begun in our hearts, should break out and disclose itself, and shine bright among the persons we converse with. O ! how much is the propagation of the gospel obstructed, how much the honour of our Lord Jesus Christ obscured, and how much the good of souls prevented and hindered by those that discover not this eternal life, this sacred witness, in the holiness of heart and practice ! But, be= loved, we hope better things of you, and things that ac- company salvation, though we thus speak ; Heb. vi. 9. and yet we must speak thus, with a sacred jealousy for the glory and evidence of this gospel, with a warm con- cern for the peace and welfare of your souls, andwith holy zeal for the conversion of the unbelieving world to the faith of God our Saviour. DIVINE HYMNS, COMPOSED ON THE SUBJECT OF THE FOREGOING SERMONS. THE INWARD WITNESS TO CHRISTIANITY. IN LONG METRE. QUESTIONS and doubts be heard more, Let Christ and joy be all our theme ; His Spirit seals his gospel sure, To every soul that trusts his name. Jesus, thy witness speaks within; The mercy which thy words reveal, Itefines the heart from sense and sin, And stamps its own celestial seal. God's illimitable hand That moulds and forms the heart anew; 131asphemers can no more withstand, But bow and own thy doctrine true. no THE SAME IN COMMON METRE. 'WITNESS, ye saints, that Christ is true ; Tell how his name imparts The life of grace and glory too; Ye have it in your hearts. 1'he heav'nly building is begun When ye receive the Lord ; His hands sh41l lay the crowning stone, And well perform his word. Your souls are formed by wisdom's rules; Your joys and graces shine ; Youneed no learning of the schoola, To prove your faith divine,

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