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compleat freedom from sin and its consequences; a more perfect introduction into the favour, peace, and friendship of God, than the overtures made to the world? Remember there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin. Wherefore, the sum of all exhortations is, "Repent and be converted, that your sins may "be blotted out," and that ye may be received as the sons or children of God, when the times of refreshment shall come.

in our eyes. When God had an only begotten Son, did he adopt worms of the dust to be his children and co-heirs with him? Yea, he displayed his Godhead in an infinitely lower stoop than this, to snatch brands from hell, and constitute them heirs of glory. Be astonished, O ye heavens, and let surprising wonder fill the hearts of all the inhabitants of the earth. Behold the love, the ineffable and admirable love of God.

Secondly, We cannot avoid reflecting upon the greatness of the change of sinners. They are changed in nature, and changed in relations. All the faculties of their souls receive a moral reformation; their understandings spiritually illuminated; their wills renovated; their consciences, judgments and affections altered, and they are brought into an exalted state of new relations. God, their father and husband-Jesus, their brother and friend-Angels, their guardians and protectors-and all heaven their relatives. Happy believers, happy converts, happy children of the most High! Truly, blessed are the people, whose God is their Father!

Thirdly, We should reflect, what is becoming the dignified character of this divine relation? Are we put into the family and made the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, how circumspect, how pure, how holy ought we to be? Our deportment should be honest, just, righteous, charitable, devotional, and abundant in every good work, that others may be induced to become the children of God, and glorify our Father who is in heaven.

Let us all be exhorted to be followers of God as dear children. Let the impenitent, unbelieving, and unadopted consider the glorious priviledges and blessings of the gospel spread before them. Here is life, immortality, happiness, and all that heart could rationally wish, freely offered. Can any considerate mind desire more than the gospel proposes? Can they desire a more

compleat freedom from sin and its consequences; a more perfect introduction into the favour, peace, and friendship of God, than the overtures made to the world? Remember there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin. Wherefore, the sum of all exhortations is, "Repent and be converted, that your sins may "be blotted out," and that ye may be received as the sons or children of God, when the times of refreshment shall come.

SERMON XXXIII.

SANCTIFICATION.

THESSALONIANS IV. 3.

This is the will of God, even your sanctification.

SANCTIFICATION is a doctrine of high importance throughout the whole oracles of God. Without it no justification, no adoption, no works of righteousness, no salvation, no favor with God, or eternal life. Without it, all is lost in time and eternity; no real comfort in this world, or happiness in the

next.

The word sanctification, or to sanctify, is employed to express various ideas. It is used in a strange construction, when creatures are said to sanctify God. He has been often sanctified by them in scripture phrase, especially his power, justice and judgnent. The Lord declares against the blasphemies of the wicked, "That he will sanctify his name." He will clear up the glory of his character, in all the vengeance he had manifested against his professing people. At the waters of Meribah he was sanctified by rebels. They were reduced to acknowledge his omnipotence, glory and elemency. When Jehovah is praised, his Majesty acknowledged, and due worship paid unto him, then he is said to be sanctified by his creatures. "Sanctify the Lord of

hosts himself, and let him be] your fear." And he declares, "I will be sanctified in them that draw near unto me."

The word sanctify, is used for the separation and consecration of things and persons to holy or religious purposes. Thus the Sabbath is sanctified; the tabernacle, temple, priests, altars, sacrifices, garments, &c. were sanctified. So the water in baptism, and the elements in the Lord's supper are sanctified.Thus christian churches are still so far sanctified as to be set apart from a common to a sacred use.

This word is taken to signify a deliverance from the curse brought upon all creatures by the fall, and under the weight of which all creation groans. This is the scriptural origin of graces at meals. Few christians understand the reason why they should say grace, or ask a blessing when they sit down to meat. The true reason is, we should wait upon God by prayer to remove the curse from the creatures, and instead thereof, through the mediation of Jesus, to confer his blessing upon them. Therefore, the scriptures inform us, "The creature is sanctified by the word of "God and prayer." The nature and ground of these graces have been little considered by religious writers; and christians in general are as far from understanding their use, as others who consider them a mere introduction to eating. Numerous strokes have been made upon persons, who have not religion enough to say grace at their victuals, but you have never had the grounds, reasons and utility of this duty explained, stated and urged upon you. It falls not into the course of my present lectures. But at the same time, I would wish to give a passing discourse upon it; because it would be novel, usefui and important.

Another and distinguishing application of the term sanctification, and which, above all, should command our attention, is the cleansing and purifying a sinner from the turpitude, pollution and dominion of sin. Man is defiled, and his moral cleansing must be by sanctification. Hence, says the Apostle, "Such

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