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DELIGHT IN RELIGION THE MEETNESS FOR HEAVEN.

heaven. And are not these objects well deserving of our utmost diligence, and unwearied attention?

Let me then conclude with the observation, which introduced the subject: If religion be any thing, it is every thing.' It must be our business in this world, if we would enjoy a warranted hope of felicity in the world to come: yea, it must be our element here, in order to a meetness for the inheritance of the saints in light. Every man's own conscience must decide, how far this is his character and experience; and every one must be left to apply the subject to his own case, for conviction, admonition, or encouragement. And may the Lord himself enable us to attend to these things, according to their immense and eternal importance; and teach us so to "number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Amen.

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SERMON III.

ISAIAH, vi. 5-8.

Then, said I, woe is me! for I am undone : because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell among a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.-Then flew one of the Seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar; and he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo this hath touched thy lips, and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, here am I, send me.

WHEN

HEN Isaiah had already been employed for a considerable time in the prophetical office, he was greatly disconcerted by a remarkable vision, which he records in the chapter before us.We ought not to imagine that things do outwardly exist, as they appeared to the minds of the prophets, when their senses were closed during the visions of the Almighty; but that they were impressed with such representations, as were suitable to convey the instruction which it was intended they

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REMARKS ON JOB'S SELF-ABASING CONFESSIONS. [SEŔM.

should receive and communicate.

The scene therefore of these emblematic discoveries was laid at the temple; every intervening veil was apparently removed; the most holy place was made manifest; and Jehovah was seen in glory above the mercy-seat, as on "a throne high "and lifted up, and his train" (or the skirts of his flowing robes,)" filled the temple." This description evidently leads the mind to the idea of one in human form; and St. John instructs us, that the prophet at this time saw "the glory of Christ and spake of him.” For indeed the glory of God is especially made known, not only to the church on earth, but also to the hosts in heaven, by the person and redemption of Emmanuel.

Above the other worshippers, and nearest to the throne, stood the Seraphim, the most exalted of the angelick host, who glow with love and zeal like a flame of fire. These, in other respects appearing in human form, had each six wings; " with two of which they "covered their faces," in token of the profound reverence with which they contemplated the majesty of the Lord, before whose uncreated glories their derived excellencies were eclipsed and disappeared: with two of them they covered their feet, as conscious that their services, though perfectly undefiled with sin, were not worthy to be noticed by the infinite and eternal God: and with their other two wings they did fly; an emblem of the celerity, alacrity, and delight, with which they execute the mandates of their Creator. At the same time they sang aloud in responsive strains, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole 22 Cor. iv. 6. Eph. iii. 10. 1 Pet. i. 12. 3 Ps, civ. 4.

John, xii. 41.

III.]

WORSHIP OF THE SERAPHIM.

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"earth is full of his glory." Entirely filled with admiration of the divine majesty and holiness; they had no leisure to reflect with self-complacency on their own endowments, or to panegyrise one another. Such employments they leave to us poor sinful mortals, who amidst the obscurity of our fallen state, unaccustomed to contemplate any thing more splendid than the accomplishments of our fellow worms, are apt to shine in our own eyes, or in those of each other, like glowworms during the darkness of the night. But these bright seraphs, satisfied with the love of God, before whom they stand, desire no other commendation; and are wholly taken up in adoring the glorious holiness of Jehovah.

The threefold ascription of holiness to the Lord of hosts has generally been considered as an intimation of a Trinity of persons in the Godhead, and a reference to the glory of the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost, displayed in the salvation of sinners'. While this song of praise was re-echoed by the seraphim, the pillars shook at every response; and smoke, or darkness, filled the whole temple, as when it was first dedicated by Solomon. The effect this awful scene had upon the mind of the prophet, is described in the words of the text, which may suggest the following subjects for our present consideration

I. The causes of the perturbation, which Isaiah experienced on this occasion.

II. The peculiar nature and tendency of it.

Matt. xxviii. 18-20. Rev, iv. 8.

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ISAIAH'S VISION EXPLAINED.

[SERM.

III. The relief and encouragement which he received: and

IV. The effects which were produced in his disposition and conduct.

I. The causes of the perturbation, which Isaiah experienced on this occasion.

It appears at the first glance, that the prophet was on this occasion both alarmed and humbled; and that the glorious scene which he had been contemplating had caused this frame of mind. Indeed suitable views of the divine majesty and glory always produce proportionable humility, and by this touch-stone spiritual illumination may be distinguished from that knowledge which puffeth up. When Job, to whose eminent piety the Lord himself had borne decided testimony, had been so carried away in the warmth of controversy, as to use irreverent language concerning the dispensations of providence; he was convinced of his presumption and awed into submission by discoveries of the divine majesty and glory; and exclaimed, "Behold I "am vile, what shall I answer thee? I will lay my " hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken, but I "will not answer; yea twice, but I will proceed no "further." And again, "I have heard of thee by "the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth thee; "wherefore, I abhor myself, and repent in dust and "ashes." He seemed to himself to be of some con

sequence, while he disputed with his friends, and vindicated himself from their unjust charge of

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