comfort to my people, and a warning to those that injure them. Luke, xviii. 8. 349 New Heavens, new Earth, ages of endless date, Founded in righteousness, and peace, and love. Through the divine grace, it is a day that we have reason not only to wish but even to long for, as we, according to the tenor of his unfailing promise, look for a glorious and transporting change, which will then commence, for new heavens and a new earth, new and everlasting abodes, which divine mercy will then open to our raptured view, into which it will conduct us, and in which righteousness, perfect holiness and felicity dwelleth. Pet. iii. 13. 561 Henceforth I learn, that to obey is best, Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart. 1 Sam. xii. 24. and on him sole depend, Merciful over all his works, Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. 1 Pet. v. 7. only add Deeds to thy knowledge answerable, add faith, And for this purpose, applying with all possible diligence, as you have believed the gospel, be careful to accompany that belief with all the lovely train of attendant graces; associate, as it were, to your faith, virtue, true fortitude, and resolution of mind, which may enable you to break through that variety of dangers with which your faith may be attended. 583 Add virtue, patience, temperance, add love And to knowledge temperance; and to tem perance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity; for if these things be in you, and abound, they make you, that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Pet. i. 5, 6. 9. 611 For God is also in sleep, and dreams advise, If there be a prophet among you, I, the Lord, will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. 637 In either hand the hastening Angel caught Our lingering parents, It is very affecting to view in imagination Adam and his partner slowly measuring their steps from Eden, once the seat of innocence and bliss, to go they know not whither, carrying in their bosoms painful remorse and guilty fear! But the decree is past. The ministers of divine justice are exact in fulfilling their commission, and the flaming sword of the cherubim forbids all access to the tree of life. How shall the young secure their hearts And guard their lives from sin? And through the dangers of the night, Thy word is everlasting truth: How pure is every page That holy book shall guide our youth, And well support our age. Psalm exix. |