USE. See then, where true Peace is to be found. 1. Not in Sin, Isa. xlviii. 22. But, 2. In Chrift Jefus only, Ifa. ix. 6. III. The Good-will of GOD towards Man was reveal'd in Chrift. Especially, 1. In the Juftification of our Perfons. 2. 3. 4. i. 8. 5. Mortification of our sins. Sanctification of our Natures. -Confolation of our Hearts, 1 S. Pet USE: Glorification of our Souls and Bodies. 1. Blefs GOD for Christ. 2. Be reconcil'd to GOD thro' Christ. S. LUK. iv. 16. And he came to Nazareth where he had been brought up, and as his Custom was, he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath-day, and stood up for to read. I. DOCTRINE. HRIST frequented the publick Ordinan ces in the Temple and in the Synagogues, S. Matt. iv. 23. and xii. 9. S. Mar. i. 21. not for Oftentation, but 1. In Obedience to GOD. 2. For Example to others. Longum ad virtutem per præcepta, breve & efficax per exempla, iter eft. Senec. Where He join'd in the publick Worship, and fometimes was a Hearer, S. Luk. ii. 46. but most commonly, after He enter'd upon His prophetick Office, He preach'd Himself, S. Luk. vi. 6. S. Matt. xiii. 54. S. Mar. i. 21. and vi. 2. S. Joh. xviii. 20. How did He teach? not as the Scribes, S. Mar. i. 22. For, 1. He taught as the Lam-giver, they as In 2. He taught fincerely, they for By-ends, 4 He confirm'd His Doctrine by Miracles, USB St USES. 1. Reprehenfion to fuch as neglect the publick Ordinances, S. Joh. viii. 47. S. Luk. x. 16. 2. Motive to frequent them. For, 1. GOD commands it, Ecclef. v. 1. S. Fam. i. 21. 2. It is herein only that we publickly profefs our Faith. 3. These are the Means of Faith, Rom. x. 14, 17. 4. Chrift Himself frequented them. II. DOCTRINE. We ought to follow Chrift in frequenting the publick Ordinances. How should we frequent them? 1. Prepare thyfelf before-hand; 1. By laying afide all earthly Cares, Neh. xiii. 19, 20. Gen. xxii. 5. 2. By Confideration, 1. Of that GOD before whom thou art going, Lev. x. 3. Ecclef. v. 1, 2. 2. Of the Greatness of the Work thou art going about, Rom. i. 16. S. Fam. i. 18. 3. By Prayer; 1. That GOD would unite thy Heart to Himself, Pfal. lxxxvi. 11. 2. That He would open it to receive His Word, Act. xvi. 14. Pfal. cxix. 18. 3. Enable thee to believe it, Rom. X. 10. 4. Make it effectual, 2 Cor. ii. 16. Rom. i. 16. 1 Theff. ii. 13. 4. By Defires after them, 1 Pet. ii. 2. USE. Pray every Day. For, 1. We should ferve GOD every Day, S. Luk. i. 75. 2. Sacrifices, under the Law, were to be perform'd every Day, Numb. xxviii, 3. 3. Chrift commands it, S. Matt. vi. 1 1. 4. The Saints practis'd it, Pfal. lv. 17: Dan. vi. 10. A&t. iii. 1. 5. The Mahometans do it. 6. Every Day's Mercies require it. 7 slu paremal .I S. Luk. S. Luk. vi. 36. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father alfo is merciful. IWHAT is Mercy? Laying other Mens Miferies fo to heart, as to be ready to help them, II. What is Mercy in GOD? 1. There is no Perfection, but what is in GOD, Exod. iii. 14. 2. Every Perfection in GOD is GOD, 1 S. Joh. iv. 16. 3. Hence in GOD, there is no Distinction of one Perfection from another. 4. The Distinction of them is taken from their Object, in our Apprehension. 5. The Object of Mercy, is Mifery. 6. GOD is always ready to help the Miferable, Pfal. xlvi. 1. 7. This is call'd the Mercy of GOD, Ifa.xxx.18. III. Wherein are we to be merciful, as He is merciful? 1. In forgiving the Injuries of others, Exod, xxxiv. 6, 7. 1. All have finned, Ecclef. vii. 20. 2. GOD punishes none here according to their Deserts, Lam. iii. 22. 3. He hath found out a way whereby He will pardon our Sins for ever. Now we fhould imitate Him. 1. By not exacting the Rigour of the Law for any Injury done to us, Pfal. CXXX. 3. |