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that they knew not-he will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will he do, and not forsake them.' He that hath graciously begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. He is a rock, and his work is perfect. Grace in the heart, is an earnest of glory.

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Seeing, therefore, that we have such an Almighty Saviour, let me entreat you to turn to him, the strong hold, in the day of trouble: for he knoweth them that trust in him. He shall be as a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.' To the trembling sinner, these considerations must afford unspeakable encouragement; nor will it appear strange, when it is considered that he is not only delivered from the terrours of guilt, the bondage of corruption, the curses of a violated law, and that eternal punishment which is the just desert of sin; but is adopted into the family of God, and constituted an heir of glory.

This is to be free indeed! These are immunities suited to the abject state of man: they not only exonerate from condemnation and death, but raise to dignity and splendourto consummate purity and everlasting blessed

ness.

ease.

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Flee, then, to this Jesus-this city of refuge. Say, what makes you hesitate? Why let suspense engross the moment that comes winged with mercy? What! is there no balm in Gilead? is there no physician there? Yes and such is the benignity of his heart that, when on earth he went about doing good: healing all manner of sickness, and all manner of dis The errand on which he came, was an errand of benevolence: he announced publickly, in the synagogue at Nazareth, • The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord:' and is his arm shortened at

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all, that it cannot redeem? Know you not that he ever liveth to make intercession-that he is able to save to the uttermost-that he is exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance and forgivness of sins? Ho! every one that thirsteth,' is the language of divine munificence: come, and take the water of life freely-If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.' He that believeth on me,' as the scripture hath said, 'out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.'

Should you say, in excuse for not complying with the benevolent invitation, I have nothing to bring that can entitle me to share the inestimable favour; suffer me to remind you, that the invitation extends not to those that are rich, but to him that hath no money: nothing with which to purchase the divine clemency, or to satisfy the claims of justice. The question in this case is not, • What am I worthy to receive: but, what has God graciously promised to bestow?' If, therefore, you are among the thirsty and the indigent ;

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Come, buy, and eat; yea, come buy wine

and milk without money and without price.' Poverty of spirit, remember, is no bar to forgiveness. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.' If there be one posture of the soul more lovely and desirable than another, it is when at his footstool, in whose sight the heavens are not clean when it can say, with Jacob, I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy with Job, behold I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth-I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

servant:

or,

The language of your heart, my amiable friend, speaks poverty of spirit: to whom then should you go but to Christ, with whom there are durable riches and righteousness?" Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satis

fieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, is the language of Jesus, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come anto me: hear, and your soul shall live-Return to the Lord, and he will have mercy upon you; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.'

Would you experience peace of conscience, and communion with the Father of mercies? these inestimable blessings, remember, are only to be enjoyed through the medium of a Saviour's blood. Without shedding of blood is no remission-God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.' Go to him, therefore, just as you are-as wretched and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. He will clothe you with the garments of salvation. I counsel thee to buy of me, saith the faithful and true witness, gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. Be

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