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hath now been shown, in order to be just to himself and to the moral world, must, in some way or other, make it fully manifest, that his displeasure against sin is indeed exceedingly great, that he hates it with perfect hatred as an evil infinitely great and pernicious; and that his law is holy and just and good, of the highest importance, and shall, at all events, be vindicated and fully supported. But how or in what way can these be manifested?-By executing upon sin, ners the penalty of the law. This is one way. If God should execute upon all sinning crea tures the penalty of his law in its full extent-if he should cast them off for ever, and confine them in a state of complete, hopeless misery, never to end, undeniable evidence would be thereby exhibited, that he is a perfect, irreconcilable enemy to sin, and hates it with infinite ha

observed, or its penalty executed upon transgressors ;-if he should suffer one after another, to transgress with impunity, and without taking any other method, to manifest as great displeasure at their sin, and as great regard to the law, as would be manifested by executing the penalty, and thus virtually and practically disannul and destroy the law, or do that which has a natural tendency to destroy its binding force upon the minds of creatures; it cannot be conceived, how he could appear to be a holy, a just, or a good moral governor of the world. Such conduct in the Deity, were it to take place, would naturally make it seem to creatures, as though he did not view himself so worthy and perfect a being, and sin against him so great an evil, as the requisitions of his law with the annexed penalty hold forth and import-as though he did not consider his law as being good or of any im-tred that he looks upon his law portance or as though, if it was good, and necessary to the wellbeing and happiness of the moral world, it was nevertheless a matter of indifference with him, whether it was regarded and obeyed, or trampled upon and treated with contempt. Surely then, it is of the highest importance, in regard to both the honor of God, and the well-being and happiness of the intelligent creation, that such a law should exist, and be visibly and fully supported. It does not appear how God can be just to himself and to the moral world in general, without supporting, and discovering a fixed, unalterable determination to maintain and support his holy law for ever.

Sin hath taken place among God's creatures. And God, it

as being perfectly holy and just and good, and is unalterably determined fully to support it.And thus he would clear himself of the dishonor and reproach cast upon him by sin, and appear to creatures to have such a regard to his own character and glory, and to the true interests of the moral world, as is essential to an infinitely holy just and good God and moral governor, and thereby do justice to himself.— Such treatment of sinners would also be adapted to discountenance and discourage sin, in the view of all creatures, who had not yet apostatized--to strike their hearts with a peculiar dread of it-to. fix and strengthen their resolutions never to yield or listen to it, and to establish and confirm their dispositions to persevere in

the ways of holiness, in a course of unreserved subjection to his authority and obedience to his will.

man should be devoted to the glory of God; that all the faculties of the soul and of the body should be employed in his service; that we should glorify

In attending to this subject I shall endeavor to show,

I. What we may understand by the glory of God.

II. What is implied in doing all things to his glory.

III. The obligations we are under to this duty.

I. We are to show what is to be understood by the glory of God.

These and such like seem to be the ends designed to be an-him with our bodies and our spirswered by the threatened pun- its which are his. ishment of sinners. And it is not easy, if possible, to conceive how God can be just to himself and to the moral world in general, or even appear to creatures to be perfectly holy and good, without answering these ends or effecting these purposes. But if these ends can be answered, if these purposes can be as fully accomplished, in some other way, than by the punishment of the sinners in their own persons; it may then be conceived of, as being consistent with justice for God to save them. Now the atonement made by Christ, as the words before cited from Rom. iii. 25, 26, teach, was designed to answer these purposes; and particularly, so to manifest the righteousness or justice of God, as to render it consistent with justice, for him to justify the sinner who believeth

in Jesus.

[To be continued.]

An Essay on the Glory of God, founded in 1 Corinthians x. 31.

1. The glory of God signifies. the essence or perfections of the divine nature. The apostle Peter, speaking of the testimony which God gave to the mission of Christ at his baptism, says, There came a voice to him from the excellent Glory. God possesses all natural and moral perfections, and therefore his very being or nature is excellent glory. The essence or perfection of his nature is called his essential glory; because it is inherent, and essential to his existence, and would have been eternally the same, had no other being, or object ever existed.

2. The glory of God denotes likewise, the dilay, or manifestation of his perfections in the kingdoms of nature, of provi

66 Whatsoever ye do, do dence, and of grace. God has all to the glory of God."

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abundantly displayed his perfections in his works: and if HE duty here enjoined, is we therein discover some marks repeatedly inculcated in the of them, we behold a glimpse of sacred oracles, and is set forth his glory; for his perfections as being the great duty of man. constitute his glory. In all the It indeed belongs to the essence things in which God has discovof all duties, and of course, mer-ered himself to men, we behold its our greatest attention. Rev- the effulgence of divine excelelation requires that the whole lency. On whatever part of his

of animals do we behold ranked among the works of creation! Besides those which are visible, there are perhaps myriads which are imperceptible to the naked eye. The smallness of their size required their members to be extremely minute. What exactactness, then, must have been observed at their formation, to make one part accord with an

creation we turn our eyes, we behold all things full of beauty, order and harmony. The celestial bodies which revolve in the vast expanse, declare the glory of the Lord, and the firmament showeth his handy-work. Whenever we turn our thoughts towards that luminous orb, the sun, and the numerous bodies which revolve around it, and contemplate their magnitudes, dis-other, and to render the whole tances, and revolutions, which do not disturb each other, we acquire an exalted idea of that glorious Being, who is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in work-gence. Hence what a variety ing. The vast number of stars which shine with such radiant lustre in the concave heavens, must excite astonishment in the breast of every beholder; especially when contemplated, as suns, each being the centre of a particular system, and destined to perform the same office that the sun

system harmonious? And per haps there is not left the least chasm from the smallest insect up to the creature of intelli

of species in the animal creaticn! And no fewer varieties of provision are created for their peculiar sustenance. We behold a variety of vegetables from the grass on the plain, to the cedar in the forest, which were originally formed, and have ever since grown in a mysterious manner, and are clothed with such inimitable beauty that e

does to this solar system. If this be true, how are we lost in our contemplations on the uni-ven Solomon in all his glory was verse, which is composed of not arrayed like one of these. such a vast number of complica- After contemplating a variety ted systems! How true is the ob- of objects in which we may servation of Solomon: No man clearly discover both the existcan find cut the work that God ence and character of him who maketh from the beginning to the made them, need we mention end. This shows God's charac-man to show his glory? Man ter to be incomprehensibly glo- is wonderfully and fearfully made. rious; so that we may adopt | How wonderful is the connexthe triumphant challenge of Zo-ion between the body and mind; phar, Canst thou by searching spirit joined to flesh, inhabiting find out God? Canst thou find a mansion of clay! How excelout the Almighty unto perfection?lent is the contexture and frame It is as high as heaven! what of the body! How admirably canst thou do? It is deeper than hell! what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

is every member fitted to its particular office! But of how much more noble nature is the soul ! What exalted faculties does it possess! Understanding, science, will, affection: these

con

The glory of the great divine Architect is no less displayed in the animal and veget-attach great worth to human naable creation. What a variety ture, and evince the infinite un

derstanding and excellency of is too wonderful for us. the Creator.

high we cannot attain to it.

It is

If we turn our attention to Divine Providence we shall behold the like illustrious display of God's perfections. His great power upholds the worlds that roll, majestically, in the boundless regions of space, and preserves the vast universe in perfect order and harmony. His providence extends to all, even the smallest events. Not a sparrow falleth to the ground without his knowledge and influ

Man was originally formed in the image of God; his body appeared in perfect symmetry, and his mind approved the things that were amiable and good. He was in miniature, the image of his Maker, who is infinitely holy and good. In this state of perfection it was, undoubtedly, man's chief employment and delight to view the works of creation, and in them, to adore the wonderful display of the wisdom, power, and be-ence. All creatures are at his neficence of their Author. And disposal, and receive their supalthough man has made himself port from his bounty. He hears base in apostatizing from his the young ravens when they cry, Maker, yet God is good. Al- and provideth for them their though man has been ungrate- food. As it respects man, God ful, yet God is merciful and full has never left himself without of compassion. For notwith- | witness, in that he hath done good, standing when man, primarily, and given us rain from heaven, revolted from God, he was driv- and fruitful seasons, filling our en from the garden of Eden, yet hearts with food and gladness. he is now favored with a situa- But the providence of God aption in a great degree delightful. pears much more conspicuous The number of animal and ra- as it respects his moral kingdom. tional enjoyments with which Tho' in regard to individuals, he is indulged, evinces this providence is involved in darktruth. For him a variety of an-ness, yet it is a rule in the divine imals are formed every way government to deal with nations fitted for his use. "For him and public bodies of men accordday and night visit the world. ing to their moral character. For him the seasons walk their This has remarkably appeared splendid round. For him the in every age of the world, accorearth teems with riches, and ding to the divine declaration the heavens smile with benefi- to all people. If ye be willing cence. Surrounding creation and obedient, ye shall eat the good subserves the wants, and pro- of the land; but if ye refuse and claims the dignity of man."- rebel, ye shall be devoured with Thus, how admirably is the the sword. glorious character of God exhibited in the works which he has made! How justly may we exclaim with the psalmist, How excellent, O Lord, is thy name in all the earth! How manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all. Such knowledge

God governs the world for his own glory, and the good of his creatures; and shews himself to be great in Zion, and above all people. He employs the wicked as well as the righteous as instruments in building up his cause. Not only the righteous

praise the Lord, but he makes | and glory; his salvation is nigh

the wrath of the wicked to praise him. Whilst the world is in confusion-whilst men of oppo-,

to them that fear him, and glory dwells on the earth."

The glory of God thus mar

site tempers are pursuing differ-vellously displayed reaches the ent schemes, he overrules all their actions for the promotion of his glory, and the highest happiness of his obedient subjects. Under this view of our subject, who is not ready to exclaim with the inspired apostle, O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How searchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

heavens as well as dwells on the earth; and furnishes a delightful subject for the highest admiration, wonder and praise of the heavenly hosts. When that glorious person who hath redeemed lost men, came into the world, the angelic choir sang an un-anthem to Jehovah, saying, Glory to God in the highest; on earth peace, and good will towards men. This will compose the chief mat

habitants of heaven to all eternity. Worthy is the Lamb, they cry, that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and glory, and blessing; and be these ascribed to him who sitteth on the throne,

3. The glory of God farther denotes the return, or acknowl

which intelligences

make to him for the manifestations of his goodness to them, and a discharge of the obligations which they owe him as his creatures. God's declarative glory is promoted, when men order their conduct in such a manner as to render his char

But by turning our attention to the adorable scheme of redemp-ter of the song of the blessed intion, we shall behold the most glorious display of the attributes of Deity. Some of his perfections are here brought out to view, which would otherwise have lain concealed; and all of them 66 appear in the brightest and to the Lamb for ever and lustre, and most beautiful har-ever. mony. He has manifested the exceeding riches of his mercy in giving his own Son to redeemedgment, a guilty race-his infinite purity and immutable justice in requiring such a grand and awful sacrifice in order to the remission of human guilt-the perfect rectitude of his law in forgiving our transgressions only through the obedience and sufferings of his Son-his inviolable faith-acter excellent and glorious in fulness and truth in executing the threatening of death on him who consented to bear our iniquities. Here we see the mercy, justice, holiness and truth of God, all united and operating in concert; so that, as the psalmist says, Mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth springs from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven: The Lord gives grace VOL. VI. No. 5.

the view of intelligent beings. Considering the peculiar circumstances of the situation of mankind, as fallen creatures, redeemed by the Son of God, having the privilege to return to him and be saved, and the many duties resulting from this divine plan, we find that various ways are pointed out in the scriptures in which the glory of God is promoted by their actions. This is done by public, private and se

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