heaven, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, a painful labourer in the Lord's harvest, and a very fuccessful, as well as fervent and judicious preacher of the gospel. If I mistake not, the Sermons of gospel minifters ought to be both evangelical and experimental; and not only fo, but practical, rational and argumentative. Of all discourses such are the most likely to do good: And of this kind are these Sermons of the late Rev. Mr. D. Wilcox; which, that they may be read by many, and by none without pious pleasure, and abundant spiritual advantage, is my fincere defire, and earnest prayer to that God, who is the giver of all grace, and can render Reading as well as hearing an effectual means of faith, boliness and comfort. S. H. SER [I] SERMΟΝ Ι. The Good Man's Privileges and Cha racter. PSALM LXXXIV. II. For the Lord God is a fun and shield : the Lord will give grace and glory : no good thing will be with-hold from them that walk uprightly. I N these words we have a defcription of I. By what he is : II. By what he will bestow. I. By what he is : The Lord God is a fun and shield. He would be conceived of, and his people shall find him, what is represented by these : A fun, to enlighten, quicken, guide, and comfort: a never-failing fountain of light and life, which, after the freest emission of its refreshing rays, abides always full. Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of Lights, &c. James i. 17. VOL. III. a In him him all our springs have their rise, from him all our blessings flow. None can be sad that have his smiles: by his favour we live, and his lovingkindness is better than life. And as he is a fun to bless with all good; so a shield to secure from all evil: able to defend and fuccour, protect and save, all that trust in him, and will not fail those that do fo. II. The description takes in what God will bestow. The Lord will give grace and glory : no good thing will be with-hold from them that walk uprightly. The Lord will give grace; which comprehends all spiritual bleffings necessary to the change of our miferable state, and corrupt temper; his pardoning mercy thro' his Son, and the renewing sanctifying Impreffions of his spirit, in a new heart, or a heart to repent, believe, and turn to God by Jesus Christ : The first principle of the divine life, and the further degrees of it, by necessary supplies from the same Spirit, directing, assisting, quickening, comforting and fealing such as are the peculiar objects of his love. And the fame Lord that gives grace, will give glory too; bring his people to that happiness in heaven, which on earth he disposes and makes them meet for. Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall fee God. Their felicity shall not be confined to the narrow limits of the present life; but as their defires, and hopes, run beyond to eternity, there will he provide for their compleat fatisfaction. Them on whom he bestows his image, he will bring to his prefence; even to that prefence where there is fulness fulness of joy, and where there are pleasures for evermore. The Lord will give grace and glory: and lest this should not be enough to express his love, 'tis added, no good thing will be with-bold from them that walk uprightly; that is, every thing that is good will he freely bestow on persons of this character. He has all things in his hand, and at his disposal. No finite mind comprehends the treasures of the divine goodness. As to what is in reversion and hope, eye hath not feen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God bath prepared for them that love him, 1 Cor. ii. 9. And at present, he will fupply all their need, according to his riches in glory, by Chrift Jefus, Philip. iv. 19. Whatever conduces to their present real advantage, or future happiness, that will he give; either fanctified riches, or contentment in poverty: either deliverance and freedom from troubles, or patience under them, and profit by them: either longer space to enjoy the mercies, and improve the advantages of the present life; or freedom by death from threatening evils, to join the perfected spirits of the just, and be with Christ, which is far better. We have all sum'd up, 1. Cor. iii. 21, 22. For all things are yours: whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come : all, faith the Apostle, are yours: upon this ground, that ye are Christ's; for Christ is God's. The persons for whom God will do this, are describ'd by their upright course (which presupposeth their renewed state and happy relation to God) to denote the way established by God's wisdom and grace, in which men are to expect such great things as are here promised. Now this description may be of use, to take down the vain presumption of careless unrenewed finners, and to encourage fincere Christians to keep up their hope in the divine goodness, notwithstanding lesser failures, against the bent of their hearts, and repented of afterwards. Blessed be God, we are under a new covenant, so well and wifely ordered, for his glory and our comfort. Perfection is what the law requires; and he is no faint that wishes not to be entirely free from fin, and doth not unfeignedly strive after exactness in holiness. But when after all endeavours, we fall short, to the grief of our fouls, those lamented defects are pardoned to all that believe in Christ; their justification and covenant interest in the divine favour, are continued, and their fincerity accepted, or gracioufly rewarded. So merciful a God, fo compaffionate a Father do we serve, as the God and Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift is. We may now take notice of the endearing manner in which God will bestow the promised blessings, viz. freely, without, and contrary to, all merit in us; tho' in a certain order fix'd by himself. The Lord will give grace and glory. All things pertaining to life and godliness are given freely. Eternal life is the gift of God, with whatever prepares for it, and leads to it. How dear foever it cost our Lord to purchase the bleffings of the better covenant, they are all free to us. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he faved us, from first |