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redemption by Jesus Christ. By prostituting his rational faculties and moral powers, man lost the image of God, became guilty in the eye of the divine law, and subject to its dreadful penalty. Thus fallen from his original dignity and glory, his hope was destroyed, and he had no power to deliver himself from the fatal consequences of his apostacy. But this "was a time of love, not that we loved God; but that he loved us, and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins. God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever be. lieveth in him might not perish, but have everlasting life." The plan of redemption is an astonishing exhibition of divine benevolence. God hath created man anew in Christ Jesus, begotten him again to a lively hope, opened the way for the recovery of his moral image, and to "glory, honour and immortality." In the gospel he hath published "good tidings of great joy to all people," and proclaimed his readiness to pardon our sins, and exalt us to a state of ineffable joy and felicity. The gracious purposes of redeeming love he is still carrying on by means suited to the nature and capacity of man, and to his own adorable wisdom and goodness.

Review the general grounds of obligation to remember your creator. Your life, bodily and mental faculties, preservation, comfort, enjoyment, and all your hopes and happiness for time and eternity spring from him. You are, therefore, bound by the most sacred ties to honour him with your bodies and spirits. The author of your existence hath a right to your devout homage, to the improvement of your faculties in his service. Creation, preservation, the gifts of nature, the blessings of providence, and the richer blessings of redeeming grace, all conspire to bring the human soul under a bond to employ its thoughts upon God, and to raise its affections and desires to him. Convinced of this

we shall consider,

2. What remembering our creator implies. Remembering, applied to a particular subject, often intends the actual performance of certain duties, or such a sense of obligation to perform them, as shall have an abiding influence upon our conduct. We are to remember the commandments of God, to do them: that is, to consider that they are binding upon us, and obey them. We are to "remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy;" that is, to consider

the divine institution of it, and attend to its sacred duties. Much in the same sense we are to remember our creator, and the duties we owe to him. We are to maintain such a constant and realizing apprehension of his being, perfections, and government, as shall inspire us with love for his character, confidence in his wisdom and goodness, and a disposition to yield universal obedience to his will. Any thing short of this is below the import and design of the text. The simple recollection that we are his creatures, and that God is our creator, can answer no better purpose in promoting his glory, and securing our own happiness, than the faith of devils, who only believe and tremble. They who are not affected with the perfections of the Deity, which are demonstrated in his works, who are not impressed with a belief of his universal providence, and with his redeeming grace, so as to find their hearts and lives drawn into a conformity to his character and will; but adopt the impious language of unbelief, "What is the Almighty that we should serve him? or what profit shall we have if we pray unto him?” will come short of the spirit of the text. As this enjoins a general duty, from the obligations of which none are exempted, it may be proper to

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be a little more particular, and notice some instances in which persons remember their creator according to the intent of the admonition.

1. It implies such unshaken faith in his existence, such clear and consistent ideas of his attributes, such strong persuasion of the rectitude of his government, and of the wisdom and goodness of all his dispensations, such a realizing apprehension of the amiableness, excellency, and perfection, of his character, that we are filled with admiring and adoring thoughts of him, and are not only disposed to worship, serve and obey him, but cheerfully to resign ourselves to his will, place our highest happiness in his approbation, and our strongest hopes in his mercy and faithfulness. In these views, feelings, and affections, our duty and interest are combined, piety and security connected. For they who trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abideth forever. He that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. Blessed is the man who trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted. by the waters, and that spreadeth her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green, and shall not be

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careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit." Suitably remembering our creator implies this trust, this hope in God, this resignation to him, and a confident expectation that he will, in his own way and time, fulfil his gracious promises.

2. Remembering our creator implies a reverence for the institutions of religion, and the sincere worship of him, according to his own appointment. Without these we shall practically cast contempt upon his authority, and violate the rules of his holy word. Our religious worship and service must have God for their object, and not be directed to any other. He challenges our homage as his special right. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. I am the Lord, that is my name, and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. God is a spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." To do this sincerely, uprightness of heart and a conscientious regard to the instituted times and forms of worship are requisite. So far as his will is made known, that is to govern the temper of the heart, and to regulate the time and manner of our devotions. We have it in charge from him, to "remember the sabbath day,

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