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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 CHRIST THE CHIEF CORNER STONE* SERMON, PREACHED TO the MEMBERS OF THJ. SELECT surveyors' LODGE NO. i5k. HEtD Ii< THE SEIGNORY OF St. ARMAND, LOWER CANADA> - ■ ' • • ON THEIR CELEBRATION OF THE FESTIVAL St. JOHN THE Al^OSTLE and EVANGELl'St^ A. D. 1811. Bt the Hon and Rev. CHARLES STEWART, A. M. MINISTER OF St. ArmAND> AND CHAPLAIN ^O THE LORD BISHOP A' '^VA". V. , -OF QyEBEC. iBEIIOLb, I LAY IN SION A CHIEF COIlNER STONE, ELECT, PREw CIOUS ; ANT) HE THAT BELIEVETIl ON HIM SIIAtT, NOT BE CON- ?"ouNDED. 1 Peter, H. <>. CJ^ontreal : Printed by NAHUM MOWER. • • • • • 18!2. AD •,* i 'j^ m t /juu ^j..-,. ^ J > ii4<^4i:.t^rattt^rmmf^WcMmil^l~ ilB mmmmMm TT St. Armand, L. Canada^ January 6thy 181 a. THE MEMBERS OF THE SELECT SUVEYOR's LODGE, No. IX. ...SIRS, ' IN compliance with your requeji I have ftnt to thi prefs the Sermon which I preached lo you on the hejiival of St. JohnAeEuanieliJl. It was prepared for delivery with* out my having any thoughts of printing it, but I have nof ?nade ewy aUer,atvitt in it except a very few verbal corre^- lions. If it in any degree contribute to your chrijiiart edifi- cation, or to the fpi ritual, or even temporal welfare of any ef its readers, I /hall not regret printing it, lam, Sirs, i%nr obedient huntbieferv ant, CHARLES STEWART. '!:: -«.»..%■• -=■ --^.r • ..A- , /' ^ / CHRIST THE CHIEF CORNER STONE. A SERMON. LUKE, ii. 14. Glory (e Gtd In the highefiy and on tarih ftact^ good will towards imh. I HAVE chofen thefe words for my text as containing matter particularly fuited to this feafon, and as being agree- able to the fentiments and profeffions of the fociety by which I am invited to preach here. This invitation I confidcr as •x favor and an honor done unto me ; and honorable will it be to me and to them, if it contribute to increafe « Glory to God in the higheft, and on earth peace, good will towards men." All true honor is fummed up in promoting thefe objeif^s. I feel it tojse my duty particularly to addrefs myfelf td thofe who have requefted me to preach, as I would endeav- or particuhrly to ferve them. This I fhould find very dif- ficult had I not prepared myfelf exprefsly for the occafion ; and I am happy to think that you have no blind prejudice againft a written difcourfe. Not being a member of your fociety, fome perfons, perhaps, may think a difadvantage to me and to them on the prefent occafion, but, I hope, that it is quite the contrary. It renders me more free to fpeak without partiality i and, perhaps, more bold to guard you a- -•'i!r"''t'r -;-T?t*''t»*' gainft any bad ufc of your fociety, and to encourage you to make the beft advantage of it. The bcft of men and focic- tics are wanting in thcfe rcfpeas. Glory to God in the higheft, and on earth peace, good- will towards men : This was the song of the Angels praif- ing God, when the Saviour was born, which is Chrift the Lord. This was the celebration of his birth. « God man- ifcft in the flefh"*— in our nature— in his humility exalting the glovy of God, reconciling fallen man to his Creator, and giving this proof of God's good will towards men, has thus been celebrated in the cl .rlftian world above 1 800 years, Chrift only brought in all righteoufnefs •, and he is tlie only way in which we can attain unto any, acceptable to God. « There is none other name under Heaven given a- mong men whereby wt mull be favcd."t His Godhead in our nature is the only mediation to us to all goou and glory on earth and in heaven. Thio is the gofpel of Jefus Chrlih This is the gofpel according to St. John -, and in his epiftles and revelation this Apoftle and Evangellft efpecially fets forth the doarine that Jefus Chrift \s Qod as well as man, and that on this ground love of God and love of man are infe- parable. In honor of him ^id of this day, therefore, it is particularly my duty to be explicit on thefe important points. It is your defign and \via> to celebrate the memory of the beloved difeiple of our Lord on this day. I heartily join you in this refolution. This is couiiftent with the pradice of the primitive church, and of the church eftabliihed here. You and I are friends to fome form and order of time and things in remembering holy men, and worfliipping God, and \x.i\ihig him for his many gifts. We think (juftly I * I Timothy, 3, 16. t Acts 4, u- ] Ks,. * p nm ; • wm r ^' age you to I and focic- cace, good- ngels praif- Xhrift the ' God man- lity exalting Ills Creator, lis men, has 1800 years, \ he is tlie cceptable to ven given u- Godhead in Dil and glory Jefus Chrlil. n his epiftleg ally fets forth as man, and iian are infe- lerefftre, it is ortant points. >emory of the heartily join , the pr.idice iblifhed here. r of time and hipping God, [link (julllyl [2. believe) that this is the fureft way of keeping up the memory and the improvement of tlicm, and of honoring God in all things. But let us not lofe fight of the proper obje£t, Glo- ry to God in the highell, in all we do ; and let not outward things lb far engage us, or be multiplied upon us, as to hin- der inft:;ad of iacreafmg our devotion to God. No fervice, no order, no learning, is to eome in competition with that of Chrifl and his Gofpel. All muft be obedient to him, in or- der to be with him, and not againft him. We mufl not fet up any other doftrine fecretly or openly, or any other image in our heart, to fuperfede, or fet afide his teaching and example. He muft be our high prieft, and mailer, and head over all things. As far as religion is concerned, and it applies to all your condudl, you muft be chriftians, altogether chriftians. Where Chrift is preached, he muft be confefled by all men •, and all his word muft be conformed to. You muft not add to, or take away, from it, on any account. As far wi you teach religion, you muft teach Chrift, for there is no other door to it, no other way to God and to heaven ; and he that teacheth any other Gofpel is accurfcd. Worfhipping the great God, the Father Almighty, the Eternal Lord, can not be performed by any of us except through the intercef- fion of Jefus Chrift. Any perfon, any .hing, not minifter- ing, nor ufed in his acknowledged name, in worfhip, among chrift.ians, partakes of idolatry inftead of true religion. Far be it from me wilfully to fufpefl, unjuftly, any of you, of drawing nigh to idolatry. I do not accufe any of you of fo great fin. But I Vv'ould guard you againft all error and fin. Some men in every fociety arc guilty of both ; and r.ll men cia'r benefit by chriftian caution and counfel. ^^^ Tou bclierc In Chrift •, and it U your dcfire ami inten- tion to fcrvc him. Make your fociety contribute to this as far as pofTible •, eipecially, by recommending and reprcfeiit- Ing the Gofpel as the greateft gift of God to man next to rcafon. Without rc:ifon Revelation is ufclefs ; but fet not up human rcafon or inventions above tlic Revelation ami the inftruiftion of God. Whofoevcr hideth, or burycth, the talent of his Gofpel will be condemned by it to evcrlafting puniflmicnt. Whofoevcr will ufe it honeftly, mufl; improve it to his own good, and to that of all his brethren. lie will find that no other means can fupply fuch powerful motives and helps to the exercife of virtue, morality, chari- ty, love of God and of man — Glory to God in the higheft, on earth peace, and good will towards men. In charity, the greateft charity he can perform, he mult publifli it to hir, brother. His Lord and Mafter, in kind?iefs to both, com- mands him fo to do, unlefs his brother perfill in refufing th;'.t which is holy. But then, he muft «ot fubllitute any otlicr foundation, any other rule, to ftand or walk by i «« for otlicr foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, which is Tcfus Chrift."* Any other foundation is one of fand. Guard vour brother ngainft fueh an one. As far as religion is the obje£l: of your fociety I have pointed out rules which are infeparable from true religion. I know charity is a leading ob]c(ft with you ; and I have Ihewn you that it fliould be built on Chrift. I'his is plain j for every chriftian knows, and fays, that the charity of tlie Gofprl is the purcft and moft extenfive polfible : that the rule of Chrift, to do to others as we would that they fliould do \into vs. cannot be improved upon : and that we are •^ 1 Cor. ;5, :i. o ti ;rKtlW*#*;^s?W'ei:*ffi4¥^^ - W! KB" > and iiitcn.- te to this -as J reprcfciit- inan next to but fet not tlon and the lurycth, the » evcrlafting uft improve thren. lie h powerful jlitv, chari- the higheft. In charity, )lini it to hii> both, corn- in rcfufing bllltute any It by i " for id, which is »c of fand. :ietv I have uc religion, and I have MS is plain j larity of the e : that the they (liould but we arc vo (rest all men as our brethren, under one Lord and ISIaf* ttr. At the fame time, fociettcs may agree in aflbciating for particular purpofcs for their own advantage, or for the advantage of the puWic in general j they may ^\xt€t their charity to particular objciEta and pcrfons ; and they may have particular ordern, regulations, and ofli- cers, in fome degree peculiar to thcmftlves to govern and conneft themfelves by ; and they may carry on all this without making religion a fpecific objeift of their unionj, or confefTmg Chrift a ncccflary title of admiiriofa to the fo- cicty } and yet the objeft and the bufincfs of the fociety tnay be in full conformity with the Gofpel. But, wherefo- Cver, and in whatfoever, religion is profefll'd among chrif- (ians, there the name of Chrift muft be glorified. " He ij King of Kings, and Lord of Lords."* There are various friendly focieties of difFercnt defcrip- tions independent of religious Creeds, whofe aflbciation is ufeful to thcmfelVes and the puUic. There arc fome for charitable purpofcs — for affording relief to ihofe in want— and thcfe are, perhaps, the moft ufeful focieties. There arc fome fdr difcouraging vice, others for promoting loyalty, and fome for the cultivation or indulgence of friendfliip. In all thefe refpefts, I believe, you are defirous to excel ; and I would encourage you in pioufly following up thefe objeQs. Tlicy are all encouraged by Chrift. Some per- fons have very erroneoufly fuppofcd that friendfliip and pa- triotifm are not confiftent with the Gofpel, but the bcft proof to the contrary, in anfwer to this modern and unna- tural philofophy, Is the example of Jefus Chrift hinxfelf. He (hewed a particular regard for Nazareth, where he hari ' I Tim. 6, I?. rr—"T?P«RK m chic-r.y rcficlca, and for John among his difciplcs. He Iot^ .a La7,arus, and his nilcrs ; and he wept at the grave of Lazarus : and he wept over Jerufalem, and mourned for her fins partleularly. Cultivate frlcndlhip with the good and wife, cfpccially with the houfehoW of faith, and efpeci- ally with thofe united with you in bonds of relationnnp of any good description, and in bonds of innoeent and natural affeclioti. But, fice the feat of the fcornful, and the com- pany of fmncrs -, for « evil communications corru-^t good manners."* Keep them out of your feafts, for ihey wdl be 'fppts in them v\ and 'mit them not into your fociety. for they will dilercdit it •, and they wiU make your feereey an occafioaand an inftvumcnt of evil to you, and of danger and mifchlef to you. They have done fo to your foeiety before now, we know, in France and in Germany •, cfpcei- :.lly, by introducing fedition and difloyalty into your Lodges, v^hich arc demoi>s of difeord quite contrary to the princir plcsandgaieralprac^le?,Qf the fociety, I am perfuadcd,; Intemperance alfo/ they have in too many.inftances encou- raged among you, which is alfo quite inconfillent witli your ruU^nd with all peace and good prdcr, and with "the fc.ft of reafon, and the flow of foul/V whic|. I believe you wini to cultivate. Feftivity without cxcefs is not denied you by the gofpd any more than is the exercife of pure friendfhip. Jcfus Chrift joined in the marriage feaft at Cana of Galilee, and the fu-ft miracle that he wrought was in fup- f ort of innocent mirth and good fellowflnp ', which occur- rcnce is particularly recorded by St. John. It is a partial view of Scripture, and a want of attent>ort ro all Its parts, which miflead fome men in confidermg thelc ■•* I Cor. Tj, .;> t Vide Jude i*. « #"•* <■*«" ^p 7MP m leg. He loT»- the grave of mourned for th the good 1, and efpcci- clationfliip of it and natural and the com- corruat good )r they will be ur focicty, for our fecrccy an nd of danger your fociety nany •, cfpeci- D your Lodges, to the princir Lin perfuadqd ; nftances eucou- ilent witli your md with « the :]\ I beUcve you , is not denied ;xercifc of pure igc feaft at Cana light was in fup- j which occur- vant of attentioA confidering thcfc Jude I ft. Iwbjcfti. I muft exhort you to make good improvement of the Scripturcf,— THATBOOK-*-which is the word of God. You {hew, yott profeft, ^reat regard for that glorlou* book. Tou carinot fay or do too much in its favor fc-^rccly, fliort of worlhipplng it. But remember, it is the infidc, the fplrit of it, you fhould fearch, and " read, and learn, and inward- ly digeft." The form of it is nothmg, without the power of it governing your life. The more you prize it, the more blamable you are if you do not improve it. If you care for it3 letter oni.y, " it killcth, but the fpirit giveth life.* Ap- ply every part of it to your own life and converfation to the thoughts and intents of your heart It is one building j therefore feparate not its parts. Like Jacob's ladder it reaches to heaven, to the houfe of God, and to the gate of heaven. The Old Teftament or difpenfation of the covenant, is the beginning of God's Church, is preparatory to the new— " a fchoolmafter to bring us unto Chrift."f Stop not at the threlhold, but go on to Chrift's firfl coming on the earth ia our nature, and prepare for his fecond coming to judge the world in the glory of the father. The miniftration of the Old Teftament was glorious, much more the miniftration of the nevf.X The law given by Mofes is introdudory to that ©f Chrift i and the wifdon of Solomon is a ftep to tlie wif- dom of our Lord. John the Baptift prepared the way for our Lord ; and John tlie Apoftlc and Evatvjclift completed his gofpeU Study all the parts of this building j enter into its chambers. Were I to felcft any, I ftiould fay frequent thofe occupied by St. John. But add not to, nor take from ■^ny of its parts or paflages. They are all holy to God. " A* new born babes, defire the fincere milk of the word, that yt? •aCoi. a. *. t Gdl. J. t4. i Vide a Cor. 3. 7,8, V. i., : J. I 10 ♦^.rrhv • If to bHThavc taftcd that the Lord is may grow thereby . ir lo uc > Jciou.. To «hon, coming, a. unto a h«ng ftonc, d.W- Jwed indeed of .en, but chofen of God. and p,ec«™, > ^e .Koas lively ftone,. are built up a fpintual '>''*»^''^ pricahood, to offer up fpiritual facriSces aceeptable «, GM ly Jefu, Chrift.- See, that it is by Jeius Chnft you muft c'oi unto God. He continueth eve. and ha.K an un- changeable prieftbood. He is the great h,gh pneft to mate intereelbon for yon, made higher than the heaven.f The building of Solomon's Temple, or rather, I (hould fay , Ihe Lord's Temple by Solomon, is a part of Scripture you trtielly atte'd to! I believe. All Scripture .s profitable for inftruftion, and for furuilhing you to good works it a-^ all ihould bring you to Chrift. The Temple of Solomon « . fiiiure of Chrift's Church ; and different parts of tt repre- fem correfponding refemblances in the Chur.h , and you ftould riorify Chrift in the ,vhole building. He « the ch>ef comer Hone, eleft, precious : and he tl,at believeA on lum fl„ll not be confounded. But. if it be rejeaed, .t .s made „ ftone of ftumbling, and a rock of offence :} and « whofo- ever ftall fall upon that ftone fliall be broken ; but o« whomfoever it fl.all fall, it will grmd him «o POwder. , Stand on it ; budd on it ; that your houfe may ftand ; bmld gold, fdver. precious ftones-true and folid doftrmes. not wood, hay, ftubble. which cannot bear Ae fire or the day of trial -,1 build up pure chriftianity. Tbrough the Tem- pi of slmon enter into the ark of Chrift's Church •, ra.fe i, up, and defend it and enlarge it with all your power. As the builders under Nehemiah, in rebuilding the Temple, had * I Ptlcr 2. a, 3> 4> 5* X vide 2 Timothy 3. i5> i;- 11 Luke =0. iS. f Hebrews 7. a4> aj> *6' § Vide I Peter a. 6, t, 8. % Vide I Cor. 3. la, i.v 11 their fwords to defend it and themrdvc* »g»inft the encmic* of the Lord, fo do you take the whole armour of God ; and having your loins girt about with trutli, and having on the breaft plate of righteoufnefs, and taking the helmet of falva- tion, and the fword of the fpirit,* « fight againft fm, the world and the devil, and continue Chrift's faithful foldiers and fervants unto your lives' end/'f In Poland, formerly, the nobles ufed to draw their fwcrds when they pronounced the Apoftle's Creed, in token that, if it were needed, they would defend and feal the truth ot -t with their blocd. Let your defence be ftrtngth in the Lord, in confcfling and imitating his faith and works. Let your fword be refolution under him. Bear not, however, you that are in authority, the temporal fword in vain, but in fupport of good order ; but let your principal fword be that of the fpirit, the word of God. Let the priefts, and prophets, and heroes, and martyrs, it holds up to your view, guard you againft evU, and fliew you the way to Chnft and to glory. In conformity to your partialities, and to my fubjea, and to tlie feafon j I muft particularly, but brieSy, celebrate the charaaers of St. John the Baptift, and St. Jolm die Apoftle. St. John the Baptift came to prepare the way of the Lord, and to proclaim the kingdom of the Meffiah. He preach- ed repentance ; and the necefiity of bringing forth works worthy of repentance, in order to obtain falvation. When « aU men mufed in their hearts of Jolin, whether he were the Chrift or not, he faid to them, one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whofe (hoes I an not worthy to un- loofct And when his difciples were unwilling to prefer * Vide Ephe. 6. 13,14, ^S, 16. 1 7- t OSee of Biptif-. X Luke 3. 15* >6' ^f i-x}q4|-^;;:.;^pK^ -miMmM i ')W*f'^'y ' II \^ \i 12 Jcfu» before him, he fcnt them to him, that they might bc convinced he was the Chrift, by feeing the wonderful mira^ cles which he performed. We (hould learn from the exam- ple of St. John the Baptift, to renounce the vanities of the world i to keep under the body -, and to praftife felf-f'enial and humility of fpirit. Efpecially minifters and thofe in au- thority fhould learn from him, not to flatter their friends and hearers, but to take all prudent means when the providence of God gives a fair opportunity to reprove their vices, and to prefs upon them their duties. So, St. John told, the publicans not to exaft too much, and the fold iers not to do violence, and to be content with their wages : and he re-» proved Herod for his adultery with Herodias. The ways and progrefs of fin are dreadfully marked out in the hiftory of that family. The aflurance and hardnefs of heart which accompany finners, even in the hour of fecial joy and ftfti^ vity, and the folly of making a rafh oath, and the wicked- nefs of keeping it, if it Involve one in (in and in promifes which ought never to be made, much Icfs to be performed, are plainly demonftrated in their hiftory -, and their com- plication of wickednefs in putting St. John to death needs only to be mentioned to you to deter you from fin. Death, no doubt, was a welcome vifiter to this holy man \ for a greater prophet had not arifen before him ; and it would introduce him to a kingdom where the leaft of its inhabit- ants would be greater than John in his beft ftate upon earth. St. John tlie Baptift prophefied of Jefus. Jefus Chrift was the greateft of prophets, and nest to him, St. John the Evangclift, whofe memory we now celebrate, to the glory of his divine Mafter. St. John the Apoftle and Evangelift, was the favorite, beloved difciple of our Lord ; and his love toward our I^ord was eminent among the Apoftles. Though Id \ ;ey might be* iderful mira-s m the exam- mi tics of the ife felf-f'enial I thofe in au- ir friends and le providence Bir vices, and )hn told, the iers not to do : and he rc-r . The ways in tlie hiftory f heart which joy and fefti- I the wicked- id in promifes be performed, nd their com- I death needs a fin. Death, man ; for a and it would of its inhabit- te upon earth. Jefus Chrift I, St. John the , to the glory nd Evangelift, ; and his love tftles. Though #n tlic furprlfc of our Saviour's being feized by the chieiF priefts and captains he fled with the reft of them, yet, he quickly recovered himfelf, and confidently entered the high priefts' hall, znA continued with Jefus to the end of his life, in the midft of his moft inveterate enemies.* St. John, and his brother, St. James, were furnamed by Jefus Chrifl ^oanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder : and on account of the fublime nature of his dodlrine, St Jbhn was honored in the primitive church with the title of the divine •, and he was refembled to an Eagle foaring aloft. In all his writings he efpecially fets forth the divinity of Jefus Chrift, and tlie duty of charity to man ; and when age and weaknefs difa- bled him from preaching, it is faid, he ufed to be led to the church at Ephefusj and that he exhorted only in thefe words, ** little children, love one another." If we would particu- larly honor him, we fhould particularly ftudy him ; and we (hould be bold in refifting thofe herefies againft- our Saviour's iivinity, which he fo diligently oppofed j and we fhould love one another. We (hould learn from him to forfake all to follow Chrift •, and to be conftant to the end in culti- rating holy and innocent love and friendfliip j and not to fufFer dangers or difafters to feparate friends. It is faid, tliat St. John on account of his faith and preaching wa» thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil, by the order of the Emperor Domitian, and that he, miraculouflyj came out of it unhurt. He certainly was baniflied to the Ifle of Patmos, a barren Ifland in the Grecian Sea. After the death of Do-. mitian he went to Ephefus, where he died, being about a hundred years old. He tarried till Jefus came to take him away in peace \ and it is believed that he is the only one of t|ie tpoftles that did not die a violent death by the hands of * Vide Nelfon's Companion for the Ftflivals^ ixiU:'i!'^3itmit>f^.>E^^^'''-' 'f'""' •''■■' ^■^r- u (1 I 11 If •flcmic He prayed, come Lord Jcfus. tome quickly , ani the voice from heaven >vhich faid to him, « bleOed are the 4ead which die in the Lord,"^ was fulfilled to him. He refts from hi. labors •. and his works do follow him. They ftill cekbrate Glory to God in the higheft, and en earth peace, good will towards men i and we have endeavored to celebrated the fame by honoring his charafter, and tliat of St. John the Baptift. Thefe Mafter builders will build you ^p in Chrift, and prepare you for his fecond commg, to try your works, if you truly honor them. To them I refer you -to their fcripture doarines-and I (hall now only reca- pitulatc, and fum up their and my advice in a few words. Humble yourl^ves, and glorify God. Admire tl.e hu- mility and the love of Chrift, the pcrfefter of Glory to God in the higheft, and on eartl. peace, good will towards men. Worftiip him in this hymn of praife, fung by Angels pro- claiming his glory, and good tidings of great joy to aU peo- ple, at the fame time that he was born of a woman, and laid in a manger. Celebrate it, and this feafon, by hononng him in all his ways ; « cafting down imaginations, and every high thing that exaltetli itfelf againft the know- ledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Chrift."t Let not other Lords have do- n^iuion over you j and love not the things of this world, or forms of feftivals, except as means of contributing to Glory to God in the higheft, and on earth peace, good will towards men. In your fociety and meetings cultivate love of God and man, loyalty to your King and country, friendfinp to one another, and charity to all men -, and keep far from you all intemperance, and all diforderly and wicked things and perfons. * Revelation 14- iJ* I t Cor. 10. 5. '5 i:\ 1^ Honor the book of God— the Bible— in deed, in fpirk «»! in truth, and not in word and tongue only. The whole of it hold dear to you ; and make it a lantern to your fcct, and light to your paths, in all your life and converfation. Efpccially learn Chrift from it j and that in aU things hs has the pre-eminence. Never man fpake »• he did } ani he wiU gittde you into all truth. *' I have more under* ftancUng than all my teachers ; for thy teiUmonics are my meditation," fiid David.* Yet he, and many rightetws men, and kings, and prophets, did not fee the things which you fee, and did not hear the things which you hear. They did not hear the preaching of St. John the Baptift, or St. JcJin the Apoftle and Evangelift. Hear ye them— the voice of one crying ir> the wiklernefs, repent ye, for the kingdom of hca^ yen is at hand •, repent yc, for the remjffion of fins. The ajce is laid unto the root of the tree*;:; every tree which bringing not forth good fruit ia hewn 4«riyn, and caft into the fire.f In the gofpel and the revelation according to St, John you are told to fcarch the fcriptures, for they teftify ot Jefus i « that all men fliould honor the Son, even as they honor die father fX ^* yoK fliould keep the word i and not add to, nor take from it ;'a«id that wcihall ail be judged by the word of Jefus in the laft ^y. Attend to St. John's defcription of the heavenly Jerufa- 1cm. Rife from Jerufalem on earth to Jerufalem above. Admire and magnify the Temple of Solomon as a type of the glorious city, a porch to it. But ftop not in the polrch. Go up to the heavenly city. Confider the new Jerufalem, Its ftreets of gold, its gates of pearl, its foundations of preci- ous ftones. " Glorious things are fpoken of thee, O city • Pfalm 119. 99. f Vide Matt. 3. i. % John 5. 13. J '^' m. W.' 1ft *f CJocl."* Tet, ii Qntcn Sheba faid of the tarthly ir.tnpl and Jerufalcm, the half has not been told us.f Happy ar tiicy who enter into it. The way is opened by Jefui He is the great high prieft, who has entered in the holieft and he invites all his friends to follow him, all who do hi «ommandment«4 " And there {hall in no wife enter into i &ny thing that defileth^ neither whatfoever workcth abomir ation, or maketh a lie : but they which are written in th lamb's book of life.":!: Be enrolled therd, by belonging t his people, his church here below, praying for its peace, an fecking its good. " They (hall profper that love thee j" th; love thee for their brethren and companions* fake, and f( the fake of the Lord. Dwell together ih unity, and in loi of him, and in always promoting Glory to God in the higl ell, and on eairth peace, good will toWards men. So Iha you go into the hoUfe of the Lord, " not made with hand eternal :n the hcav>e»i6."§ So (hall your feet ftand with the gates of the heavenly Jerufalem. There you fliall ent into the joy of your Lord, and fit down with St. John, ai all the holy Apoftles, and Prophets, and with all your he brethren, in the kingdom of God ; and witli them, with o heart and voice, for ever fay^ ffrwortliy is the 'lamb that w flain to receive power, and ridies, and wifdom, and ftrengi and honor, and glory, and blefling."}! To which, that y piay come, God of his mercy grant, through Jefus Chrift c Lord. Now, to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft, Tri ty in Unity, be afcribed all honor and glory, thankfgiving a praifc, lore and obedience, now and for evermore. Ami * Pfalm 87, 3. f Vide Eifliop Horne's Commentary on the uad Pfalm, with ditions, the whole of which moil beautiful original, and paiaphi and ntw veilion, cannot fail to delight and edity the reader t Rcr. %t. 87. § 2 Cor. i. I. I! RCT. 5. it- -y*^m a faid of the Earthly trihjjlt been told us.f Happy are way is opened by Jefuiv has entered in the holtefl $ follow him, all who do his hall in no wife enter into it ivhatfoever workcth abomin- f which are written in the [led there, by belonging to w, praying for its peace, and profper that love thee )" that d companions* fake, and fo/ jgether ih unity, aiid in love 5 Glory to God in the high- ill towards men. So fhalt )rd, " not made with handsj ball your feet ftand within ilem. There you Ihall enter fit down with St. John , and phets, and with all your holy 3d i and witli them, with one irwortliy is "the 'lamb that was is, and wifdom, and ftrengthj fling." il To which, that you ant, through Jefus Chrift our •,Son, and Holy Ghoft, Trini- )r and glory, thankfgiving and V and for evermore. Amen. 87. 3- tary on the uad Pfalm, with ud- jeautitul original, and paiaphial'e, ^ht and edity the reader r. s- <• I! '^«^- 5- »t' ii^m