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SERM.

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of wicked Men and Hypocrites? Certainly the reverse of what is here promised to the righteous will be the Lot of those who bear the reverse of their Character. And what is that but Darkness and Torment? The very Terms by which our Saviour expreffes the Punishment of the Wicked in the other World, Mat. viii. 12. Luke xvi. 28.

2. From what hath been faid on this Subject, we fee how exactly the Felicity of the Saints in the other World correfponds with their Tempers and Characters in this.

GOD is a GOD of Righteousness and Truth. In these things he doth delight. And therefore none but the righteous and the upright can be the Objects of his Love. And it is his Love that opens all the Sources of Blifs in Heaven. Or thus; all the Happiness of Heaven confifts in the Enjoyment of GoD. None can enjoy him but those that are like him. But he is a GOD of Righteousness and Truth; and therefore nothing but this can make us like him. Nothing less than this then can qualify us for Heaven, or fit us for the Happiness of it. A folid Reflection, and substantial Truth! As certain from the very nature of things, as it is from the Word

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Word of GOD; and equally adminiftering SERM. Comfort to those who are confcious of their Integrity, and Terror to those who indulge Iniquity.

3. We hence fee how unreasonable it is for good Men to give themselves up to Difcontent and Melancholy, be their outward Circumftances in this World ever fo afflicted.

When a good Man droops and grieves and mourns and bows down his Head like a Bullrush, and refuses to be comforted, he does a mighty Dishonour to his Faith. It looks as if he neither trufted the Providence, nor believed the Word of GOD; and that he doubted the Truth (or, at least, that he seldom thought) of what he there reads, viz. that the Sufferings of the prefent Life are not worthy to be compared with the Glory that shall be revealed; that these light Afflictions, which are but for a Moment, are defigned to work out for them a far more exceeding and eternal Weight of Glory; and if we are faithful unto Death, we shall receive a Crown of Life. -A melancholy Chriftian, with all the glorious Prospects of the Gospel before him, is a very inconfiftent Character.

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4. What

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4. What reafon have we to be thankful that God hath been pleased to throw so much Light and Gladness into this dark and miserable World, by the Discoveries which his Gospel makes of the Glory and Happiness of a better.

An impenetrable Cloud indeed intercepts our clear View of that heavenly Glory, yet fuch a Glimmering of it fhines through that Cloud as chears our Hearts, and animates our Hopes, and gives us fufficient Light to guide us to it. Bleffed be Go D, we are not left in total Darkness. The Gofpel hath brought the Life of Immortality to Light, fo far as it is neceffary for us to know it in the prefent State. And the more we ftudy the Word and Perfections of GoD, and the nature of true Holiness, the better acquainted shall we be with that World of Light, and Life, and Glory we hope to be for ever in.

Laftly, We fee how infinitely it is our Interest and Wisdom to cultivate that Righteoufnefs and Integrity of Heart, which alone can fit us for the heavenly Happiness, and on which all the Promifes of it are fuf pended.

Religion

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Religion was ultimately defigned to make SERM. us happy; but it was primarily defigned to fit us for Happiness; to form in us that holy Temper which alone can qualify us for the heavenly Glory; to make us like GOD that we may be capable of enjoying Him. Whatever hath this Tendency and Effect, that is Religion; whatever hath no fuch Effect or Tendency may be called Religion indeed, but it is falfely fo called. This is plain. What remains then, but that we all spend the future Part of our Lives in the Profecution of that Holiness and Righteoufnefs which alone will make us like to, and fit us for the everlasting Enjoyment of Gop? And what God hath thus joined together let no Man put afunder.

And now, Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift, who, according to his abundant Mercy, hath begotten us again to this lively Hope, through the Refurrection of the Lord Jefus Chrift from the dead. And may his Grace be more and more fitting us for that Inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and which fadeth not away; referved in Heaven for them who are kept by his mighty Power, through Faith, unto Salvation.

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A Double minded Man is unftable in all bis Ways.

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AN is a variable Creature. Every Man is fo; and does not

differ from every Body else more

than he does, at fome times,

from himself.

This is a common Obfervation. But that which the Apostle takes notice of in the text is fomething more, viz. that there are Home who are not only in different Tempers at different Times, but are governed by contrary

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