children of mortality, but destined also for an imperishable existence, it behoves us to know? Has He revealed himself yet more distinctly to us, than to the holy men of old, in His attributes of grace and goodness, and shall we be less occupied in these meditations than they were? That many things interfere with this habit of devout attention to such subjects; that the mind is frequently disturbed by anxieties, and cares, and disappointments, is not more true of us than it was of them. Such appears to have been the experience of the writer of this psalm but here is his declaration that, amidst all the troubles and vicissitudes of his existence, this was the general habit and direction of his mind. And think you that he did not profit by this occupation? Shall it be said, as an apology for remissness in this particular, that we are already so well acquainted with all that the Scriptures can teach us, that however close and continued be our application, we can expect to find nothing new in them; to make no attainments in the knowledge of things spiritual and divine beyond those which we already possess? The words of the text may show us the erroneousness of such assertions. Did the writer mean only to state

the fact of his having made the statutes of the Lord his songs, in the house of his pilgrimage? It is obvious that in this declaration much more is included: he plainly intimates, "This has been my practice, and I have found the profit of it. I have obtained from these statutes, by long and intimate acquaintance with them, an increasing knowledge on subjects of the first importance; I have gradually been led by them to higher discoveries of Almighty God: to clearer views of my own heart; of the deceitfulness of sin; of the temptations which surround me; of the way in which I should go, and of all things which affect the health and welfare of the soul. In this increasing acquaintance with the divine word, I have been taught, in an increasing measure, to perceive its suitableness to my own case; to walk more boldly by its light; to trust more implicitly to its promises; to feel more decisively the power of its hope, and the reality of its consolations."

There were some things, as we have stated, which, under that dispensation, even the prophet himself beheld but as in the distance; some future revelations of deep moment, which he had but imperfectly understood: yet with

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what holy delight did the inspired psalmist dwell upon the day of the Son of Man, and describe the blessings of His reign! And can we doubt, my brethren, what would have been his emotions, and what his conduct, if, instead of looking forward to the promised Messiah, he had been permitted, like us, to behold God manifest in the flesh;* to contemplate the wonders of His love, and to hear the declarations of His grace? With what devout admiration would he have dwelt upon the mystery of godliness! With what unwearied attention would he have listened to the precepts of his Saviour! With what cheerfulness would he have obeyed them! And especially what regard would be have manifested to that ordinance, the legacy of our dying Redeemer, which brings the faithful communicant into the more immediate presence of his gracious Måster; and as a pledge of the love, and continual remembrance of the death of Christ, speaks to him the language of great and endless comfort.

May the statutes of the Lord be to us also for songs in the house of our pilgrimage! May the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all

* 1 Tim. iii. 16.

wisdom!* renewing our characters after His image; sustaining us under the trials of life, and imparting to us a growing knowledge and experience of heavenly things, till we reach that place of our heavenly rest, the city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.t

*Col. iii. 16.

+ Heb. xi. 10.

SERMON XX.

THE GLORY OF THE LATTER HOUSE.

AT THE OPENING OF THE CHAPEL OF EASE, CLAPHAM.

HAGGAI ii. 9.

"The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of Hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of Hosts."

WHEN We reflect upon the majesty of Jehovah, and bear in mind His own solemn declaration, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool,* the question naturally arises, Will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens, cannot contain Him; how much less† shall a house that is made with hands? Yet, wonderful as the intelligence may appear, we know that God will in very deed dwell with men; and, although His kingdom is an universal kingdom, and His glory is to be felt and seen through +2 Chron. vi. 18.

* Is. lxvi. 1.