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ections and holy commandments me affectionately beseech

uties with the standard of boly writ own hearts, while engaged in them; ne impartially your motives in those which you annex some confused idea id which you hope will make amends. least, for the undeniable defects of your

A day approacheth, in which every l behold a far more glorious scene than ch overwhelmed the mind of the prophet The divine Saviour will appear in his glory, and in the glory of the Father, with holy angels." Then every action will be ·l in an impartial balance; every character fully made known; and every unpardoned ressor will be struck dumb in the presence Judge, or will be only able to say, Wo is I am undone!' while the awful words, part ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared ›r the devil and his angels," shall fill him with ror and sink him into despair. But at present re is hope: and those discoveries of guilt which id to humble us, and prepare us for welcoming e salvation of God, should be considered as intimable mercies, the forerunners of “ joy unspeakable and full of glory."

But perhaps these subjects have rendered you neasy and dejected; and you have on that acount deemed it best to divert your attention from them, and at any rate to keep on good terms with your own consciences. You therefore neglect the scriptures, and such books, company, or preaching, as formerly disquieted you; and, hearkening

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No endeavours were
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that the vision had bewila
spired groundless alarms.
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SERMON III:

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a labourer, a servant, in deep poverty,
state of slavery. And whatever be the
outward situation and circumstances,
aim to serve the Lord Jesus by a
attention to his peculiar duties, in heter
ness, and contentment; he will
"adorn the doctrine of God his Saor
certainly meet with a gracious
he were sent, like Isaiah and P
message to the church and to the o
The performance of relative
the most unkind returns are e
integrity under heavy losses
stances; patience and meekne
and injuries: are in some r
the prophet's alacrity in u
service allotted him. And
believer can unite deep hu
and fervent zeal, he will a
ing to the commands of
tunities or advantages af
warp his steady aim a
negligence make war i
find himself in all res
perilous, or self-den
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"the knees wa
scarcely finds him
on religious sub
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servant, in deep por very. And whateverk situation and circumsta serve the Lord Jesus b tion to his peculiar duties s, and contentment; he adorn the doctrine of God certainly meet with a grac he were sent, like Isaiah message to the church and

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"unto the uttermost all that come to God through him;" he will soon rise superior to his desponding fears, and possess a good hope through grace," that his "sins though many are forgiven;" or, at least, that his iniquity will at length be purged

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66

But whoever may be the messenger of peace to the broken in heart, the Holy Spirit is the author and giver of this blessing. "When the Comforter "is come," saith the Lord Jesus," he shall con"vince the world of sin ;" and "he shall glorify 66 me, for he shall receive of mine and shew it unto you." When humiliating convictions have prepared the heart to welcome a free salvation, the divine Comforter enables the sinner to see the glory of God, and the harmony of his attributes, in the person and redemption of Christ: thus he finds peace and joy in and joy in believing," and at length "abounds in hope by the power of the Holy "Ghost!" This consolation is the effect of regenerating grace, and accompanied by a new creation of the soul to holiness. The faith that justifies is living and active: it "works by love" of God and man; "purifies the heart," and "overcomes the "world ;" and thus renders the believer fruitful in good works, to the glory of God through Jesus Christ. The live coal from the altar may therefore be considered as an emblem of those spiritual affections, that are kindled in the believer's heart by the Holy Spirit, which prepare, animate, and even constrain him, to devote his talents to the glory of God, and to employ them according to his com

John xvi. 8-15.

mandments. This is "the baptism of the Holy "Ghost, and of fire," with which Jesus baptizes his true disciples: these sacred influences penetrate and enlighten the mind, warm and elevate the affections, consume the dross of low and carnal passions, and transform the whole soul into the very nature of that divine Agent by whom they are produced.

IV. Let us then proceed to consider the effects of this encouragement on the prophet's disposition and conduct.

The vision had struck him dumb, filled him with consternation, and indisposed him for his prophetical office. But now, hearing the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will 66 go for us?" he answered without hesitation, "Here am I, send me." Neither the consciousness of his unworthiness and insufficiency, nor the prospect of difficulties, perils, or self-denial, produced the least reluctancy to the important and arduous service. His love to the Lord, and zeal for his glory, rendered him willing to go any whither, to any person, or on any message. He was ready to face a persecuting tyrant or an enraged multitude; to travel over mountains and seas, or through inhospitable deserts. He declined not hardship, poverty, or negleet; but was so desirous that the name of God should be hallowed, his kingdom promoted, and his will done on earth even as in heaven, that he exulted in the thought of being employed as an instrument in such a work. He could not indeed equal the fervent zeal and rapturous worship of the Seraphim, but he desired to emulate the promptitude and alacrity with which they per

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