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Jesus is a saint, for his faith purifies his heart, works in him by love, and enables him to overcome the world. The communion of saints is founded on our re-union with Christ Jesus. It is his prayer to his Father for those that believe in him, that they may all be one, and he adds, even as we are one; I in them and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one. The saints thus have a joint participation of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost; they are under the common care of angels ministering to them; they have one word, the light of their feet; one baptism of admission into the church; one Lord's Supper to help them to feed on Christ; their enemies are the same and their friends the same. They have one spirit of love to each other, one way in which they are walking, and one eternal home in which they will together dwell throughout eternity. O my Father, give me ever to remain in this one family, and to seek and rejoice in its welfare here, and partake of its sufferings and hopes now, and of its glories hereafter.

THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.

Here is that most precious doctrine without which I could have no hope; for my sins are numerous as the stars of heaven, and aggravated by my many peculiar advantages and the unspeakable lovingkindness of my God. But, adored be thy name, there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared; Jesus hath appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins, according to the

riches of his grace. May this amazing grace, this wonderful goodness of God in blotting out my sins by the blood of his own Son, lead me to repentance. May I so credit it and so constantly behold it, living continually by faith in it, that my proud heart may be humbled, my stony heart broken, and my whole soul formed anew and filled with grateful, holy, and heavenly affections, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour; and I would tell every human being the glad tidings of his forgiving love, by which I am restored again to his favour, and can live in the light of his love.

THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY.

Here again is another wonderful fact, which has been clearly revealed by God's word. The hour is coming and now is, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth, they that have done good unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation. John v. 28, 29. O may I be kept from doing evil, and taught of God to do good. How glorious the resurrection of the saints, the same body which has been corrupted shall be restored. Job xix. 26, 27. This corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. 1 Cor. xv. 1. As to those living when our Lord comes again, the bodies of all who believe in him shall be changed and fashioned like unto his glorious body. Phil. iii. 21: their bodies thus being made suitable for the perfected spirit, that body and spirit made like Christ and united together,

may be for ever glorious together in the presence and joy of God. O what a victory this over death! what a triumph over the grave! a victory and a triumph already prefigured in the resurrection of every fresh day from the darkness of the night; of every fresh spring from the death of winter, and in the rising of each seed sown in the earth. May I, believing in Jesus, rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

AND THE LIFE EVERLASTING.

This is the crown of the whole. And let me see distinctly what this life is; a life in the knowledge and enjoyment of God and his Son Jesus Christ. For my Redeemer has assured me, this is life eternal to know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. John xvii. 3. The want of this is that eternal death, in which the wicked are left in that lake of fire and brimstone where the Devil and his followers are, and are tormented day and night for ever and ever. Rev. xx. 10. With what earnestness should I myself turn, and seek also to turn others, from everything that would lead to that fearful issue, and especially from unbelief, now the great condemning sin. John iii. 18, 36; viii. 24; Mark xvi. 16. The true knowledge of God produces likeness to him and full happiness: We know that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 1 John iii. 2. Then shall I know even as also I am known. 1 Cor. xiii. 12. The joys of this everlasting life no mind can fully conceive. They are, however, connected with our conduct here, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. They that be

wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. Dan. xii. 3. See too, 2 Pet. i. 5—11; Rom. viii. 17, 18. O may my heart then be set and fixed on everlasting life! May I willingly suffer now to partake of that glory hereafter. May I wholly confide in the record that God hath given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son Jesus Christ. May I know by blessed communion and fellowship with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ, that I have eternal life, (1 John v. 13; i. 1, 2.) and ever rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ, the true God and eternal life.

BOOKS ON THE CREED.

Bradford on the Creed
Hooper's Confession
Smith on the Creed
Pearson on the Creed

Witsius on the Creed

Babington on the Creed
Bifield's Rule of Faith
Perkin's Exposition
Jackson's Commentaries

II. MEDITATIONS AND PRAYERS ON THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

1. THE LAW IN GENERAL.

Psalm xix. 7—11. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple: the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes: the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are

they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honey-comb. Moreover, by them is thy servant warned; and in keeping of them there is great reward.

How false the views which men commonly take of the holy law of God! They think it hard and severe. They feel it a burden and weariness. They have no love to it. They see nothing of its goodness and

beauty.

Such is the view of the world. God's view is very different: O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments; then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea. Christ's view of it is very different also. It was his meat and drink to fulfil it. Lo, I come to do thy will, O my God; I delight to do it; yea, thy law is within my heart. I have kept my Father's commandment and abide in his love. I know that his commandment is life everlasting. And all holy men partake of this mind of Christ, and can say with the Psalmist: O how I love thy law, it is my meditation all the day!

Why is the law of God so precious in the sight of Christ and of Christ's servants? Why does God the Father so highly honour it? Why did the Son of God delight so greatly in obeying and fulfilling it? Why does the Spirit rejoice to write it in the hearts of God's people? Because it brings glory to God and happiness to man; because obedience to it is heaven, and disobedience to it is hell; because the law of God in the heart of all God's creatures is all that is needed, that they may be blessed, and God be glorified, for ever and ever.

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul! There is nothing too much required, and nothing too

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