except in ourselves, or in the objects which surround us; but when sinking, the believer looks to the covenant of his God, and rises superior to the pressure of Let us,

sorrow.

II. Consider the nature of this covenant, and show the rich consolation that flows from it.

It was primarily made with the glorious Redeemer, as the head and surety of believers; but it is also made with all those who, by faith, accept that Saviour who has ratified it with his blood, and who make of this covenant thus sealed, "all their salvation and all their desire." It contains numberless and precious promises, which God has condescended to make, securing to us pardon, protection, holiness, a victory over death, and everlasting glory. "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and will write them in their hearts; and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people. I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more."

In order to be convinced of the support which a personal interest in this covenant can give us in sorrow, let us briefly consider the properties of it that are here mentioned.

1. It is everlasting: it was formed from eternity in the councils of God; it is, in the language of the apostle, "The eternal purpose which the Father purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." All the manifestations of it in time, and all the blessings which constantly flow from it, are only the accomplishment of the gracious designs that were formed infinite ages before a creature lived: eternal in its continuance; as it preceded the birth, so it will survive the destruction of time: eternal in the blessings which it be

stows and in its glorious effects; those interested in it, notwithstanding the sense of their weakness and unworthiness, may shout, "This God is our God for ever and ever!"

2. It is "ordered in all things;" planned and arranged by Him whose knowledge is infinite, and whose wisdom is unerring; by Him rendered so comprehensive, that "all things," all possible exigences, all conceivable events that can befall the Christian, are provided for; every difficulty, every trial, every tear, and every struggle, were foreseen; together with the effects to be produced by them. Had it been planned by the wisest of our race, or by the wisest of angels, many things might have been forgotten; but who shall blasphemously suppose that this is possible, when it is "ordered in all things" by the Most Wise?

3. This covenant is sure. If there be any truth in the promise and in the oath of Jehovah; if there be any strength in that mighty Redeemer, who is its surety, or any virtue in that blood which sealed it, then those who have a personal interest in it, may triumph in the stability of their hopes. "The mountains may depart, and the hills be removed; but my loving-kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord, that hath mercy on thee." “God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath; that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation who have fled for refuge, to lay hold on the hope set before us; which hope we have, as an anchor to the soul, both sure and steadfast."

Meditate now on these properties of the covenant,

and then say, ye who are interested in it, in what situation may you not derive support from it?

Have you domestic trials? Are your children unholy; or have they descended to the grave? “Although your house be not so with God," neither so holy nor so prosperous as you would desire, yet think of the covenant. You are permitted to weep at your trials, yet do not murmur; the grace of the covenant is so rich, that it may yet reach the heart of your most hardened child; and so permanent, that though you have outlived some of your offspring, and survived many earthly comforts, yet you cannot outlive the salvation of the covenant, which is eternal: your relatives die, and perhaps under circumstances which aggravate your distress; but your best, your heavenly friends remain, and your God's covenant mercies are eternal. All things are "ordered." None of these domestic trials were overlooked by Him, who is able to render them beneficial to you; the disappointment of your hopes, the withering of your comforts, though they may appear to bear marks of wrath, are yet consistent with paternal love. The covenant is sure: you shall hereafter acknowledge that God has done all things well; that he has led you by a right way to the city of habitation; instead of crying with Jacob in his despondency, "All these things are against me," look oft from outward appearances of providences, to the promise and power of God, and say in the midst of your troubles, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul ?"

When, like David, you shall be stretched on the bed of death; like him, seek not support from any past dignities, or honours, or religious services, but clasp by faith the promises of the covenant; let it be "all your salvation and all your desire." When na

ture is decaying and earthly objects vanishing, then think of everlasting blessings, and shout, "I will sing of the mercy of the Lord for ever; thy mercy shall be built up for ever; thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens." Think that in the covenant, the time and circumstances of your death were ordered, and triumph in Him who is wise in his appointments, and sure in his promises.

When you recall your wanderings and your falls, weep for having violated covenant engagements; but seek the restoration of peace and comfort by a penitent and grateful recurrence to the grace of that covenant which is the only refuge of the sinner, which encourages the wanderer to return; where the law would pronounce only a curse, it cries," Return, ye backsliding children; I will heal your backsliding and love you freely." And while it thus pronounces pardon, it also sheds down grace to enable you to walk more worthy your vocation: supported by the bold that Christ has of you, you shall find the truth of his declaration: "If my children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; if they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments, then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes; nevertheless, my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from them, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail." You shall see that "the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his."

SERMON CVII.

JUSTIFICATION.

GAL. ii. 16.

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

THE doctrine of justification is the compendium and sum of revealed religion; for this revelation is given to teach us how to unite man and God, and to form and preserve a commerce between heaven and earth; and the true way of union and friendship with God is to be found only by a proper answer to this question, "How can I be justified before Jehovah?" And as it is the great design of the scriptures to teach us how we may be pardoned and accepted, so to the convinced conscience and the awakened sinner, there is no instruction more cheering, no information more eagerly sought than that which relates to this subject. By the doctrine of justification we may judge of the essential correctness of any theological system. If an opinion be held on this sub