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dwelleth likewise in every particular society who walk by his rule, and adorn the profession of his truth by a conversation becoming the Gospel. He is "a wall of fire round about" them, and a " glory "in the midst of them."* When they meet together in his name, he is there.

He walks in the
It is his
It is his pre-

midst of the golden candlesticks. sence that gives life and efficacy to all his ordinances, and communicates a power to his word, by which the minds of his worshipping people are enlightened, strengthened, healed, and comforted. Here he manifests himself to them, as he does not unto the world; and they can adopt the words of the Psalmist, "A day in thy courts is better than "a thousand." To his presence they owe their peace and increase, their union and protection. And if he withdraws, Ichabod may be written upon their solemn assemblies ;† for even his own appointments can afford them neither profit nor pleasure, unless they are animated by his glory. Their graces languish, their harmony is interrupted, strifes and dissensions take place, evil roots of bitterness spring up to trouble and defile them;‡ "men arise" from among themselves, "speaking perverse things, and fierce wolves break in, not sparing the flock," if the good Shepherd suspends his influence and presence.

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I trust he dwells and walks in the midst of us. He is here as an observer, and as a gracious benefactor. He sees who "draw near him with "their lips, while their hearts are far from him;" and he likewise takes notice of them that fear and love him, and who esteem the light of his countenance to be better than life. "The high

Zech. ii. 5. 10.

Heb. xii. 15.

+1 Sam. iv. 21.
§ Acts, xx. 29, 30.

"and lofty One who inhabiteth eternity, who "dwelleth in the high and holy place, dwelleth "likewise with those that are of a contrite and "humble spirit, to revive and bless them.

SERMON XXX.

THE PUBLICATION OF THE GOSPEL.

PSALM lxviii. 11.

The Lord gave the word, great was the company of those that published it, [or, of the preachers].

PERHAPS no one Psalm has given greater exercise to the skill and the patience of commentators and critics, than the sixty-eighth. I suppose the difficulties do not properly belong to the Psalm, but arise from our ignorance of various circumstances to which the Psalmist alludes; which probably were, at that time, generally known and understood. The first verse is the same with the stated form of benediction which was used whenever the ark of the Lord set forward while Israel sojourned in the wilderness;† which confirms the prevailing opinion, that the Psalm was primarily designed as an act of thanksgiving, to accompany the removal of the ark to Zion by David. The seventh and eighth verses are repeated, with little variation, from the song of Deborah. The leading scope of the whole appears to be, first, a recapitulation of God's gracious dealing with Israel, and of the great things he had done for them, from the time he delivered them from their bondage in * Judges, v. 4, 5.

* Isa. lvii. 15. + Numb. x. 35.

Egypt; and then, a transition, in the spirit of prophecy, to the far greater things he would do for his people, under and by the Gospel dispensation, in consequence of MESSIAH's exaltation to receive gifts for rebellious men. This verse, though the particular occasion is not specified, probably refers to some season of deliverance or victory, when the women, according to the custom of the nation, assembled to praise the Lord, with timbrels, songs, and dances.* The songs and responses of Miriam and her companions, and of the women who welcomed Saul and David after the defeat of the Philistine,t I have formerly mentioned as instances. The word which is rendered, "Those who published or preached," being expressed with a feminine termination, leads the mind to this sense. But we are not necessarily confined to it; for the word rendered "preacher" in the book of Ecclesiastes, is likewise in the feminine form, though we are sure the person intended by it was Solomon.

However, this passage is properly introduced in the Messiah, and in its proper place, immediately after the view given of our Saviour's triumphant ascension, as it leads us to consider the first visible effect of that great event: for soon afterwards, "when the day of Pentecost was fully come," the Lord gave the word.§ The Holy Spirit, the precious gift, which Jesus had received for rebellious men, descended with visible emblems and a powerful energy, and inspired and qualified his disciples for the great work of establishing and spreading his spiritual kingdom. From that hour, great was the number of the preachers, and great was the success

* Exod. xv.
Ser. VI. p. 69.

+ 1 Sam. xviii. 6, 7.
§ Acts, ii. 1-4.

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and efficacy of their mission. So that in a few years the Gospel spread like the light, from Jerusalem through all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth. And he who said, Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of "the world,"* has, by the same Spirit, perpetuated his word, and a succession of preachers, to our time; and has promised to perpetuate and work by the same means, till time shall be no more.

My text, therefore, if not a direct prophecy of the publication of the Gospel, is at least a fit motto to a discourse on this very important subject. We may consider it in two senses, which, though something different, are equally agreeable to the words before us, and to the general tenour of the Scrip

ture.

I. That the message is the Lord's. He gave the word, and prescribed to his servants the subject-matter of their preaching.

II. That the messengers employed are called and sent forth by him. The Lord gave the word or command; in consequence of which word, the number of preachers was great, as when in the beginning he said, "Let there be light, and there was light."

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I. The Lord gave the word which the multitude of preachers went forth to publish. His merciful design was great, to deliver sinners from bondage, misery, and death; and to bless them with liberty, life, and peace. But they are by nature rebellious and obstinate, and must be made willing. He only can subdue their prejudices, and soften their spirits; and he has promised to display his power in their favour, by a certain mean of his own appointment, and we cannot expect that he will do

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it in any other way. This mean is the Gospel, which, for its admirable suitableness and efficacy, is commended to us as "his wisdom and his "power."* He has given it for this purpose, and his blessing makes it successful. He has said concerning it, "As the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and watereth the earth, and "maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give "seed to the sower, and bread to the eater; so "shall my word be, that goeth forth out of my "mouth; it shall not return unto me void, but it "shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." It has been confirmed by the experience of ages, that no mean but this can produce the desirable effect. It is confirmed, by observation, in the present day. If the wisdom of man, if learning, if oratory, if animated descriptions of the beauty of virtue, and pathetic persuasions to the practice of it, could reform, we should be a reformed people. But, alas! this is only to oppose a mound of sand to the violence of a flood. Notwithstanding many ingenious sermons and treatises upon this plan are admired and praised, wickedness prevails and triumphs. They have little influence upon the conduct of civil life; and, I may boldly say, no influence to inspire the heart with the love and peace of God, and to bring it into a habit of subjection to his will and command. Nothing will do this but the Gospel, the word which the Lord has given. This alone shows the evil of sin in its true light, affords a solid ground for the hope of mercy, and furnishes those motives which alone are sufficient to break the force of the temptations and difficulties with which we have to conflict. When this

* 1 Cor. i. 23, 24.

Isa. lv. 10, 11.

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