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office: they are merely a voice, and the Lord is the Speaker, as far as they declare his truths; and he can speak by whom he will, or edify the wisest and most learned of the human race, by the words of the meanest of all those, who ever spoke in his name. But let these hints suffice on a topick, which may be deemed improper to be insisted on, by one who is himself employed as a minister: the apostle Paul has, however, repeatedly discussed the subject; and to his epistles I refer the reader for the particulars of those duties, which are owing to the Lord's ambassadors, and of the guilt and danger that are incurred by neglecting them.

VII. God has a right to order all things in his providence, for the benefit of his believing people; even when this is connected with multiplied calamities upon, or the tremendous destruction of his enemies, how numerous soever they may be. It will hardly be disputed by a reasonable man, that God may justly prefer the happiness of such as love and obey him, to that of those who rebel against him, and blaspheme him: and if, in his abundant mercy, he reconciles a number of rebels to himself, through the gospel of his Son; so that they become his friends and worshippers, whilst others persist in their enmity; he may justly arrange every providential event in subserviency to the good of the former, without any equal or comparable regard to the welfare of the latter. But if they are at length brought to repentance and faith in Christ, they too shall have peace with God, and their portion among his friends.

This is evidently the doctrine of revelation; "all things," says the apostle, "are for your sakes;" "all things are your's, for ye are Christ's:" and the covenant of grace secures these blessings to believers by an irrevocable engagement. Many things relative to this doctrine, have been strenuously opposed, and thought liable to insuperable objections; perhaps, in a degree from inattention to the subject, or from viewing it through a false medium: for the character and behaviour of the persons concerned are inseparable from their, privileges; if they act inconsistently with their profession, they proportionably want evidence, that they are interested in these promises; and none who commit habitual and allowed sin, and die impenitent, will be found among this favoured company, whatever their creed or confidence may have been.

But I do not mean to discuss so controverted a subject, in this place. It is manifest that all the angels are ministering spirits unto Christ, for the benefit of his true disciples: that he is Head over all things, as their Protector and Friend; that the rise and fall of empires, and other grand events which occur in providence, as well as more ordinary dispensations, are regulated as best conduces to their advantage; that life and death, things present and things to come, are their's; that Jesus, their Brother and Friend, hath the keys of the grave, and of the unseen world; and that persecutions, tribulations, and temptations, work together for their good. Thus all the circumstances of their continuance here, and removal hence, are ordered, by infinite wisdom, in entire love to their souls; the earth shall re

main, till the whole company of the redeemed be gathered in, and made meet for heaven; and the resur rection of the dead, and the day of judgment with its important and eternal consequences, will subserve their final and complete felicity.

As this is the undeniable right, and determined purpose of God; we ought to be silent before him, not daring to object to any of his dealings: we should submit to his righteousness, and deprecate his displeasure; and in preference to all other interests or distinctions, we should desire and seek admission into the company of his people; and then patiently endure trials, waiting the Lord's time of deliverance, in en tire reliance on his wisdom, truth, and love; and in confident expectation of deriving important advan tage from all those events, that now dismay or distress

us.

Many other particulars might be adduced, and shewn to be the unalienable rights of God. He allots to every man his term of probation, and preparation for a future judgment; and the measure of his religious advantages and opportunities: he determines the degree in which he will bear with a sinner's provocations, before he gives him up to judicial hardness of heart, or cuts him off by death: he distributes to every one his measure of talents, trials, and comforts, and appoints the situation, rank, and work of every individual, in the church, and the community: and he will dispense rewards and punishments at the last, as he secs good, and without admitting of any appeal from his sovereign award. Each of these might have been made the subject of a distinct section; and the same

train of reasoning, concerning the Rights of God and our duties, would have been applicable and conclusive. Indeed the subject is almost inexhaustible: and the selection, which hath been made as a specimen, was principally suggested by the consideration of the state of society in the present age, and the peculiar methods adopted in opposing the doctrines and precepts of revealed religion; and in treating with indignant contempt whatever the Lord hath determined to honour, in his word, or by his providence.

But a serious and attentive mind is the grand requisite for making a right judgment in subjects of this nature: and if any person should cast his eye over these pages, with a disposition to turn them into ridi cule; to seek objections to the mode of reasoning employed in them, through averson to the conclusions deduced from it; to give them a cursory perusal, as little interested in the discussion, or merely to gratify his curiosity, by examining what could be proposed to the publick with such a title: I cannot entertain any sanguine expectation, that he will derive benefit from the work, nor could this have been reasonably hoped, even if it had been executed in a manner more worthy of the cause that is pleaded in it. On the other hand, the candid, diligent, humble, and obedient enquirer after truth, may probably derive from it some assistance in this interesting pursuit; whilst the experienced christian will perceive, that the principles, on which we proceed, are applicable to a vast variety of particulars in his own concerns; and that the Lord hath a right to lay those burdens on him, to take those comforts from him, and to require those self-denying ser

vices at his hands, which have most tempted him to despair, repine, or turn aside from the path of submissive obedience: and that he ought on such occasions to recognize the Rights of God, to rely on his wisdom, truth, and love, to humble himself under his mighty hand, and to say "it is the Lord, let him "do what seemeth him good."

It is manifest from what hath been stated, that the Rights of God are very little regarded, either in the reasonings or actions of men; nay that they are, in general, most shamefully neglected, questioned, or opposed: no man can deny this, without directly patronizing ingratitude, rebellion, and impiety; or avowing himself an atheist, or such a sceptick as excludes the God, he pretends to acknowledge, from all concern in the affairs of the universe. This again demonstrates that the state of the world is exactly what the Bible represents it to be; and that men want just such a remedy, as is therein revealed. So that the principles and reasonings of infidels, (as well as the irreligion and wickedness of mankind in general,) abundantly confirm the truth, suitableness, and value of that revelation, which they despise and oppose.

The serious reader will also perceive, that if all persons paid a due regard to the Rights of God, in every part of their conduct; it would conduce far more to true liberty, peace, and happiness, than all other means united can do; that no contests about the rights of men, or forms of government, in what manner soever they may be adjusted, or terminated, will do any thing effectual to meliorate the condition of mankind in general, till the Rights of God be more

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