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SERM.
XI.)
THE
FELICITY
OF
CREATURES.
205
placing
of
them in
God's
stead,
or
we
make
nothing
of
"them, no
means
of
converse with
God;
both
ways we
nullify them, for an
idol
is
nothing,
and
mere vanity,
as
the
prophets and the apostles
speak:
So
ordinances
are
vain
and
unprofitable, and
utterly
insufficient to make us
happy
without God.
They are
mere
images,
and sha-
dows
without the substance.
To seek,after God, and
endeavour
to
approach
him
in
all his own
institutions,
is
the
way
to be
recovered
from
the miseries
of
the
fall.
To
live in
a
holy
nearness
to
God,
is
a
restoration
to
the pleasures
of
innocency.
It
is
the
full
happiness
of
reasonable
natures
to
be
al-
ways with.
God
It
is
our
noblest
honour, and
our
sweet
-
est
consolation,
in
this
state
of
darkness and
trial,
to
get
as
near
hire
as
earth
and grace
will
admit; and it
is
also the best
preparative
for heaven and the state of
glory,,
where
we
shall dwell
for ever
near
him,
and be
for
ever
blessed.
Amen.
HYMN
FOR
SERMON XI.
NEARNESS TO GOD
THE FELICITY
OF
CREATURES.
LONG
METRE.
PE
those
the happy
persons
here,
Who 'dwell
the nearest
to
their God,'
Has
God invited sinners
near
?
And Jesus bought
this grace with blood
?
Go
then, my
soul,
address the
Son,
To
lead thee
near the
Father's
face
i
Gaze
on his
glories
yet
unknown,
And taste the
blessings
of
his
grace.
Vain vexing world, and
flesh,
and
sense,
Retire
while
I
approach
my
God;
Nor let my
sins
divide
me
thence,
Nor creatures tempt
my
thoughts abroad.
While to thine
arms, my
God,
I
press,
No mortal hope, nor
joy,
nor fear,
Shall call
my soul from
thine
embrace
i
lis
heaven
to
dwell
for
ever there.