SERMON XLVII. g7 Thus we christians become much richer in divine promises, than all the ancients, bl having a common interest in all the most valua- e ones of theOld Testament, as well as a peculiar property in those of the New. What an invaluable and everlasting treasure are these exceeding great and precious promises which God has given us in Christ Jesus %, It is by these we are madepartakers of the divine nature, that is, the image of God, and by these We are enabled to escape the corruption that is cone into this de- generate world through lust; 2 Pet. i. 4. It is by these we are quickened when we are slothful, we are supported when we are sinking, we are encouraged to run the race of duty, and to combat with every opposition. It is from these that chris- tians derive courage in their dying moments, and they triumph over death itself, the last enemy, when a promise sets the prize of eternal life and the crown of glory just before them. Be thou faithful to the death, and I will give thee a crown of life; Rev. u. 10. And how are all the invitations of grace in the Old Testa- ment animated by the Son of God come in the flesh ? How many new ones are superadded ? And how much is their force of per- suasion increased, when the power and success of them has appeared in such wondrous instances as the New Testament sets beforeour eyes ? How are the worst of sinners encouraged to lay hold of a promise of mercy, and to rest upon it, when our bles- sed Saviour received publicans and other notorious criminals, whenLevi and Zaccheus were so favoured by him, whenMary Magdalen found pardon for the guilt of a public and shameless life, when Paul the persecutor and blasphemer obtained mercy and was made a favourite and an' apostle, and when he assure's us that hisconversion was designed to this blessed purpose, as a pattern of abounding grace ; I Tim. i. 16. How powerfully are humble and despairing christians sup- ported, and backsliders encouraged to return to God in a way of dutiful obedience, when Peter who fell in the hour of temptation and denied his Lord, was recovered to repentance,by a compas-. sionate lookof Christ, and not only received to forgiveness, but advanced to the first rank of office in the kingdom of Christ, and did glorious service for him ? But it is time to put an end to this discourse, and it shall be concluded with a few inferences. Inference I. " Though every part of our bible be sacred and divine, yet the latter part of it is much more valuable to us than the former :" The New Testament far exceeds the .Old, because it reveals to us this better covenant, and makes us pos- sessors of these better promises. The books of Moses and the prophets, and the Psalms of David, contain admirable discove- 12 2
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