angel can be any where else, than where his ruling love is; as it is written, "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." And though this love may be changed in this world, it cannot possibly be so in the next. Therefore, now is the time "to make our calling and election sure;" and in order to this we must "die to sin, and live to Christ." His laws are the laws of life, glory, happiness, wisdom, love, and peace. Whatever contradicts them must be laid aside; for two opposites tend only to destroy one another. We must "crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts;" we must "put off the old man with his deeds, and put on the new man, which after God, is created in righteousness and true holiness." "The sting of death is sin." And the only cure for the ills of humanity, the only refuge, hope, consolation, and prospect of the soul for ever, is a conformity to Jesus, and a participation of his life. The religion of the gospel which he hath given us, "sets our feet upon a rock, and establishes our goings." All we want, wish for, or can conceive of, both natural, spiritual, and eternal, are the sure inheri tance of those who are sanctified thereby. But we must be restored to the image and likeness of our God, in order to dwell for ever with him. The present season is wisely and mercifully given us, for such a purpose, and death only fixes us, where we wish eternally to be. But there is a wise, as well as a mistaken choice; heaven and hell are not imaginary distinctions, so that it is of no consequence which we choose, or that happiness may be found in either the one, or the other. "Be not deceived, God is not mocked. For, whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. He that soweth to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the spirit, shall of the spirit reap life everlasting." "The Lord hath set before us life and death:" But "choose life," says he, "that both thou and thy seed may live." And the way to this is thus described in the 37th Psalm, "Depart from evil, and do good, and dwell for evermore." Forasmuch, as a living evangelical faith is involved therein, and connected therewith, therefore, says Jesus, "He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die." And this is the faith that is grounded in love divine, and triumphs over sin, death, and hell. Let us then be looking unto Jesus, renouncing all our evils for his sake, and doing his will on earth, for a short time here, that we may be able to do it in heaven for ever. Thus shall his divine spirit sanctify, invigorate, and bless our souls. We shall 66 pass from death unto life," even here; and it will not be much, longer before redemption will be turned into sanctification, sanctification into justification, regeneration into glorification, and earth exchanged for heaven. Then shall we find ourselves on the other side of the bridge, where no more death, nor crying, nor any more pain shall affect us; but life, glory, immortality, and perfect bliss, bless our redeemed souls for ever. Printed by W. Hersee, 24, St. Mary Axe. On the Holy Spirit. A SERMON, PREACHED AT LITTLE BUDWORTH, CHESHIRE, SEPTEMBER 18, 1812. BY THE REV. G. NICHOLSON, LATE PERPETUAL CURATE OF LITTLE BUDWORTH. "He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine; therefore, said I, that he shall take of mine, and shew it unto you." JOHN XVI. 14, 15. London: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, by G. AULD, Greville Street, AND SOLD BY L. R. SEELEY, FLEET STREET; AND WILLIAMS AND CO. STATIONERS' COURT. 1817 Price One Shilling. |