ADVERTISEMENT.

THE

HE Writer of the following Pages is aware, that it may be objected to what is here infifted on, that too much Strefs is laid on external Obfervances, and too little is faid to recommend an uniform Holiness in our moral Conduct. He begs Leave to declare, that he thinks it utterly impoffible to feparate, in the Character of a truly religious Perfon, an holy Communion with GOD, from an holy Conformity to the Precepts and Example of JESUS CHRIST. One cannot long subsist without the other; each being as effential to our spiritual Welfare, as the Breath is to the Continuance of Life and Motion. The one therefore ought certainly to be observed, while the other is by no Means to be neglected.

THE Author's Prayer for all who call themfelves Chriftians is, that they may hold the Faith in Unity of Spirit, in the Bond of Peace, and in Righteoufness of Life.

A

SERMO N.

EXODUS, CHAP. XX. VER. 24.

IN ALL PLACES WHERE I RECORD MY NAME, I WILL COME UNTO THEE, AND I WILL BLESS THEE.

HERE is fomething exceedingly gracious and affecting in the Promise here made by GOD to his Servant Mofes, and repeatedly con

firmed to his faithful Worfhippers on other Occafions, in Holy Scripture. That Go D fhould vouchfafe to come unto Man to blefs him, is fuch an Inftance of Condefcenfion, as, while it excites the Wonder of Angels, muft

needs kindle in the Hearts of Men, the warmest Sentiments of Gratitude and Love. May we not then afk, with Solomon, not in the Language of Infidelity, but of holy Admiration, Will GOD indeed dwell on the Earth? Behold! the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain Thee: How much less this Houfe, in which Thy Name is recorded? Yet are thine Eyes, O LORD, open toward that House, Night and Day, of which thou haft faid, My Name shall be there: For the Truth of thy Promise abideth for ever: In all Places where I record my Name, whether it be the Ark of the Covenant, the Altar, or the Temple; whatsoever Places are lawfully and properly confecrated in my Name, in them will I meet thee; to hear thy Prayers, to grant thee thy Requests, and to give thee fome gracious Teftimony of Prefence with thee.

my

THE Words before us will not be esteemed unfuitable to the prefent Occafion, if they lead us to confider in what a peculiar Manner the Favor and Bleffing of GOD have been in all Ages vouchsafed to the Places dedicated to his Honor

Honor and Service. In doing which, we cannot but take Notice of the repeated Affurances given us in Holy Scripture, that the Public Worship of GOD is particularly distinguished with the Tokens of His Approbation, and the Prefence of His Holy Spirit.

IN the 28th Chapter of the Book of Genefis, we read, that the Patriarch Jacob having fled from the Face of his Brother Efau, was on his Journey to Padan-Aram, when a very extraordinary Vision was vouchfafed to him by the Way: He dreamed, and behold! a Ladder fet upon the Earth; and the Top of it reached to Heaven; and behold, the Angels of GOD afcending and defcending on it. The Defign of this Vision was not only to convince him of God's perpetual Care of His Servants by Means of thefe miniftring Spirits; but also to confirm the Promises made to Abraham and Ifaac; that in him and in his Seed, which the Apostle hath interpreted, CHRIST JESUS, fhould center all His Promises of Mercy to Mankind. In Thee and in thy Seed, fhall all the Families of the Earth be blessed.