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successive appearances; that he exclusively occupies the mediatorial throne; and that he will continue there to sit, till he has subdued every enemy, and carried his kingdom to its utmost intended limits-when he will ultimately resign it to his Father, that God may be all in all.

Now such a plan as this, so vast in its extent, so various in its operations, and so wonderful in its consequences, could have been produced by no other than the Supreme Intelligence. Nor can it be rendered perfectly plain to man, before its full and final accomplishment has taken place. In the meantime, it is sufficient for us to know, that it embraces all events, provides for every exigence, and secures the highest possible felicity to the human race. Our grateful acknowledgments should often be called forth, on recollecting the condescending manner in which God has made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in himself, that, in the dispensation of the fulness of times, he might gather together all things in Christ, both in heaven and in earth. And while we adore him for all that

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acquaintance with his will, which he hath already graciously allowed us, let us earnestly pray that we may know in a still more satisfactory manner, "what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the mighty power which he manifested in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come."

Secondly, Another instance of God's gracious concern for the Church is exhibited in his providential care for its maintenance in the world.

During its continuance in this inferior state, a militant condition has been assigned to the Church, in which it is called to struggle with innumerable difficulties and hardships. Great and powerful enemies have assailed it in every age, not only disturbing its repose, but even threatening its

extinction. There is not a stratagem which human policy could invent, nor an effort which human power could put forth, which have not been employed, at one period or another, for its absolute subversion. On some occasions, it has been flattered and allured; while, on others, it has been reproached and condemned. One description of its foes have sought to obscure its glory, and others have laboured to sap its very foundations. Nevertheless, exposed as it has been to innumerable hazards, having received help of God, it continues to this day. Though the archers have shot against it their poisoned arrows; though they have sorely agitated, oppressed, and grieved it in a thousand ways; it still lives and grows in the midst of its enemies: its bow abides in strength, and the hands of its children are invigorated by the arm of the mighty God of Jacob. When it is considered of how small a minority of mankind the Church is composed, its present existence and comparative prosperity, amid all the determined and persevering opposition it has every where to encounter, can be imputed only to the miraculous interposition of its Almighty Founder..

The successive deliverances of the Church have been generally accomplished by unexpected ways and means; and it would furnish a useful as well as pleasurable employment, to sum up the number and delineate the nature of those divine interferences, which have ministered to its security. Those means have been visible and invisible, mediate and immediate, ordinary and extraordinary. They have been sometimes employed in clearing the foresight of the Church, uniting its members, and confirming its confidence, as well as in raising about it unseen though impenetrable bulwarks-while, at other times, they have been brought to bear directly upon the Church's enemies, infatuating their counsels, counteracting their plots, breaking through their confederacies, and weakening their hands: so that, of all their malignant devices, few or none could ever be fully ac complished. By these, and a great variety of other ways, the divine wisdom and power have been so often displayed in the preservation of his Church, that some of its ancient members are brought in, ascribing its security exclusively to the good pleasure of

their God and Father. If the Lord himself had not been on our side, when men rose up against us, they had swallowed us up quick when they were so wrathfully displeased at us; yea, the waters had drowned us, and the stream had gone over our soul. But praised be the Lord, who hath not given us over for a prey unto their teeth. Our soul is escaped even as a bird out of the snare of the fowler; the snare is broken, and we are delivered. Our help standeth in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Thirdly, A further instance of the unsearchable wisdom of God as employed about the concerns of his Church, is to be found in that wonderful diversity of operations, by which he influences the minds of his people, attracting them to his service, and forming them into instruments adapted to his purpose.

The Church exhibits a wonderful variety of character. Individuals of every natural complexion and temperament are found in it; the timid and the resolute, the gentle and the fiery, the sedentary and the active, the illiterate and the learned. All of these

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