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fore all worlds,' he came into this world, and ac-“ complished all those great events which we read of in the history of his life. And when, by doing and dying, he had wrought out and brought in an everlasting righteousness, he returned to the bosom of the Father, to make efficient the whole process of his redemption, by sending down his Holy Spirit, to apply his merits to his people's necessities; while he himself is exercised in the high character of our Intercessor, to plead the efficacy of his death, and continually to appear in the presence of God for us.' These are the great outlines of the everlasting covenant, as referring to the engagement of God the Son. And the promises on the part of Gon the Father were, that he would anoint Christ to the work, and accept of him in lieu of the sinner. And that when the Redeemer had made his soul an offering for sin, 'He should see his seed, He should prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord should prosper in his hand. My righteous Servant, (said Gon,) shall justify many, for he shall bear their iniquities. As for Me, this is my covenant with him, saith JEHOVAH, My Spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the month of thy seed's

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seed, saith JEHOVAH, from henceforth and for ever.' Such then being the stipulated terms between the high contracting parties, and having been fulfilled on the part of the Lord Jesus; the mercies promised on the part of God become sure mercies to all the Lord's people. Grace reigneth through righteousness.' And the positive assurance of pardon and salvation is brought home to the heart, by a conviction founded in the veracity of that God which cannot lie."

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Let any man now review the ground we have hastily trodden over, in quest of the testimonies with which these mercies of David are made sure. Let him behold an everlasting covenant, founded in grace; accomplished by the great Representative of his people in grace; and in all ages accomplishing in his people by grace: let him observe how each principle harmonizes to secure God's glory, while it tenderly secures man's welfare: let him carefully remark how 'grace reigneth through righteousness;' and I venture to hope, if God the Holy Ghost be the Teacher, that the result will be the most absolute conviction, that our text very properly characterizes this great salvation, by calling it the 'sure mercies of David.'

The application of this doctrine, though of

all other considerations the most interesting, may be brought within the narrowest compass; the whole terminating, as it respects every individual, in this single question:, Am I, or am I not, the highly favoured object of these 'sure mercies of David?'

If it be said, how shall this point be ascertained, and by what marks or characters is it to be known? the answer is direct: God hath not left himself without the witness of his Holy Spirit in the hearts and minds of his people. And although it is with the children of God in grace, as it is with the children of men by nature; in the infancy of life, while the faculties of the mind remain unopened, the child is unconscious of the inheritance to which he is born: so they to whom He hath given power to become sons of God,' will frequently remain a long time unassured of the 'incorruptible inheritance to which they are begotten by the resurrectionof Jesus Christ from the dead.' But as the spiritual apprehension is unfolded by the heavenly Teacher, they are brought by little and little, as children under education, to see their interest in the sure mercies of David,' from the characters in which they find themselves distinguished in the everlasting covenant..

See, my brother, see whether you do not pos

sess what Jehovah promised, by virtue of this covenant, to give to Jesus' people. Have you not the new heart and the new mind, which God, by his covenant, is engaged to bestow Do you not feel those covenant impressions, which are common to his people? Is not the 'Messenger of this covenant' whom God hath chosen, become the object of your choice also ? If God the Spirit be promised to certify your interest in this covenant, have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?' In a word," if these, and these only, are the sure mercies of David, are you seeking salvation in no other way, and do you say, as David did, this is all my salvation, and all my desire? These are precious tokens of being interested in the sure mercies of David; when pardon, mercy, grace, righteousness, sanctification, and strength equal to our day, are sought for in nothing else but God's everlasting covenant.

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My unawakened brother, what do you know of these sure mercies of David? I cannot, I dare not be silent, while endeavouring to comfort the people of God with a view of their privileges, without calling upon you to examine and look diligently, lest you fail of this grace. O that the Lord may incline your heart, that you may come! O that you may hear the joyful

sound, and live! that God may give you also these sure mercies of David!

How shall I conclude my sermon better, than by desiring the afflicted, mournful, exercised -believer, of every description and character, to fold up the sweet text of the Prophet in his bosom, as a motto of consolation for every occasion? And may God the Holy Ghost write upon every heart, I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.'

THE REMARKS.

WHEN my friend had ended this discourse, he waited, as I perceived by his looks, for my observations upon it. I anticipated his inquiry for my opinion, by giving it unasked. It appeared indeed to me very plain, that the sermon comprised the leading principles of the covenant of grace; which, though certainly a subject of all others the most interesting, is perhaps the least understood. For my part, I am free to confess, that, previous to this explanation, I had very imperfect conceptions of it. My first object, as soon as he had finished

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