SERMON. of the law requires. This appears very evidently by from their failings in the services which they pay him. When do they pray without some wandering thoughts? When do they hear the word as in the of God, and receive it not as the word presence of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God? Do they not sometimes hear with great dulness, and at other times are not able to mix faith with what they hear? Are they not negligent in searching the scriptures, and negligent in praying for a blessing, when they do search them? How little do they treasure up in their memories, and how little fruit does the engrafted word bring forth in their lives? When they go to the Lord's table, how often do they complain of their want of devotion and gratitude? And therefore their services, yea, the very best of them, because of these imperfections and short comings, would not be acceptable, unless they were washed in the fountain of Christ's blood. Sensible of this they live by faith upon fresh applications. of it, suing for its merits, and hoping for its efficacy in every thing they do. And as the acceptance of their duties, so their comforts are derived from the blood of Christ. Their love, their peace, their joy flow from this fountain. This is their continual matter of rejoicing, that the blood of Christ was freely shed for them, and that he, who gave his blood for them, will with it give them all things. This bears them up under trials, strengthens them against temptations, supports them in sickness, and arms them against death. They know that all these things are working together under God for their good. Yea, they experience it, and that makes them happy; happy in time, and happy in eternity. What is now their crown of rejoicing below, will be much more so above. Then their joy will be full, when they shall join that innumerable company, whom no man can number, and with them give honour and glory, and blessing and praise to him that was slain, and hath redeemed them unto God by his blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people and nation, and hath made them kings and priests unto God and his Father. Then they will know how to value that blood which brought them to such perfect and eternal blessedness. O Lord, help us to set a greater value upon it than we commonly do. Teach us more of our want of it, and of its worth. Supply us more abundantly with the graces and blessings purchased by its merit, and freely bestowed by its efficacy. And may the dear Lamb of God give his blessing to what has been now spoken, although it has been in much weak. ness, that if it be his holy will, all who hear me this day may be brought to see and to lament their spiritual uncleanness, and to apply for cleansing to the blood of Jesus. Oh! that the Lord God would direct you all to the fountain, which he has opened for sin and for uncleanness, and may he give you faith to wash in it and to be cleansed from all sin, according to what we have been asking this day, in the excellent words of our church. "Grant, we beseech thee, merciful Lord, to thy "faithful people, pardon and peace; that they may "be cleansed from all their sins, and serve thee "with a quiet mind, through Jesus Christ our "Lord. Amen." AN HYMN BEFORE THE SACRAMENT. THIS day the Lord of hosts invites Unto a costly feast: I will take care, and will prepare But who and what am I, O Lord! To come within thy doors, or at Awake repentance, faith and love; To meet your Lord with one accord, Worldly distraction, stay behind, Below the mount abide ; Cause no disturbance in my mind, O come my Lord, the time draws nigh Stand with my pardon sealed by, Persuade me to believe. Let not my Jesus now be strange, Come, blessed Spirit; from above! O let our entertainment now, AN HYMN AFTER THE SACRAMENT. LORD, any mercy short of hell, For me it is too good ; But I have eat the flesh of Christ, |