SERMON XIII.

GOD THE DEFENSE AND GLORY OF HIS CHURCH.

"Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities; thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken."

-ISAIAH XXxiii. 20.

Ir is probable, that when this prophecy was delivered, the city of Jerusalem was threatened with an immediate siege; but Jehovah engages to defend it from the attacks of its enemies, the Assyrians, and to render it at once quiet and secure but yet the text which I have read to you, appears to have a direct reference to the privileges and stability of the Gospel church; for Jerusalem, after this period, was never long preserved from hostile invasions; therefore our attention is turned from it, to that glorious city against which the gates of hell shall never prevail. We shall therefore, without any further introduction, proceed-To take those views of the church of Christ, which our text recommends, and-Enforce that attention to it which it demands.

Let us,

I. Take those views of the church of Christ which our text recommends.

And we are led to regard it in a three-fold point of view: as a solemn city-as a quiet habitation-and as an immovable tabernacle.

We have the church of Christ represented to us,—

I. As a solemn city. "Look upon Zion," says my text, "the city of our solemnities."

The church of the Lord on earth is called, "The holy people,""_" The Redeemed of the Lord,"-" Sought out, a city not forsaken." It is that great city, "the holy Jerusalem." It is "Mount Zion, the city of the living God." It is "the holy city, which is the mother of us all." The orders and laws necessary for the city of Zion, are contained in these lively oracles, which may also be considered as the charter of the privileges of its happy and active citizens. Peace is within its walls, and prosperity within its palaces; and every thing is conducted well, being managed by him who is the God of order and not of confusion. Its great King ever dwells in the midst of it, and its walls are continually before him the immunities, for which its inhabitants are distinguished, are numerous and inestimable; including deliverance from the bondage of corruption and sin, together with a full enjoyment of a right to the tree of life, and to all the blessings they can need these they obtain by pleading the name, blood, and righteousness of Jesus, the King's Son. Watchmen are set upon its walls, to assure the citizens that their iniquity is pardoned, and that their sin is covered; as well as to promise a sanctuary to the weary and distressed, who yet remain without the gate.

Its walls are called salvation, and its gates praise; its streets are all pleasant, and its towers may well strike the eye with admiration. We, however, briefly sum up its ex

cellences, when we say, that it is "the city of the Lord, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel." But we particularly wish to notice the solemnities for which this city is distinguished it is well called in my text, "The city of our solemnities." This name may be applied to Jerusalem, on account of the most solemn feasts that were there made; the solemn assemblies that were there held; and the solemn sacrifices which were there offered. Nor is the term at all inapplicable to the church of God, which consists of serious believers, who enter into the most solemn engagements with Jehovah; who are employed in the most solemn exercises of mind that can be possibly imagined; and whose minds are peculiarly affected with the solemnities of death and judgment.

Real religion, brethren, is altogether a solemn thing; its exercises are abused, when they are not entered upon, and pursued with real devotion of heart: nothing trifling can be viewed with approbation by the Father of the spirits of

all flesh.

Oh that when we entered the church of God, we were more impressed with the idea, that it is the city of our solemnities; then would our levities be checked, our minds be prepared for the devout service of God, and he would, indeed, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts, by the inspiration of his Holy Spirit. In the church of God, we are called solemnly to give ourselves up to him, saying, Lord, I am thine; here we are, with all seriousness, to aim to promote the best interests of our immortal souls; here we are, with reverence and godly fear, to offer the sacrifice of a broken and contrite spirit. Never look upon Zion, then, without remembering, that there the most solemn transactions pass between God and the soul.

2. Our text views the church of God as a quiet habitation. "Thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habita

tion.'

It is "builded together for an habitation of God, through the Spirit;" for he hath chosen the tribe of Judah: the Mount Zion, which he loved: and he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever. God himself is the householder, for he hath chosen Zion, and desired it for his habitation; and here, too, dwell all the faithful. There is something very consolatory in the idea, that all the worthies now in glory, that ever trusted in Christ, were all members of that church which is one; and that all real believers are considered by Jehovah as forming a part of it, as united in Christ. It is a habitation that incloses all real believers, by whatever name they may be called amongst men, and however far they may be separated from each other on the wide earth, or wider seas; they are, in a spiritual sense, all lodged under the same roof, and all inhabit the house of God, whose house are we. This dwelling-place of the just, then, is remarkable for the security which is there enjoyed, and the peace which pervades the whole. It is a quiet habitation; here the Prince of Peace takes up his residence, and dwells, and reigns: here the work of righteousness is peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever; and God's people dwell here in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting-places. Those who reside in this habitation need not be afraid of evil tidings, but should rather have their hearts fixed, trusting in the Lord, and thus be quiet from fear of evil. Peace is the legacy which the Saviour left to all the members of his family; and it is promoted in and

among us, by the benign influences of the sacred Dove. Blessed then are the people that are in such a case; yea, thrice blessed are they whose dwelling is Mount Zion. What a happiness it would be, if those of us who profess to be Christians, evidenced more of that pure affection to each other, which is "like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, that went down to the skirts of his garments."

3. The church is described as an immovable tabernacle. "A tabernacle," says my text, "which shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken."

The church of Christ may here be described as a tabernacle, in opposition to the superior glories of the New Jerusalem in heaven: for it is true, that the church militant is but a tabernacle, when contrasted with the inconceivable excellences of the paradise of God. Divine glory is manifested to us, and known by us here, but in part; but there we shall know even as we are known: there are grand discoveries reserved for us in heaven, and church-privileges laid up for the redeemed ones in the house not made with hands. As a tabernacle, brethren, the church of God may often change its place: this is shown us by the state of those cities in which once the cause of our Redeemer prospered, but where now his name is never heard. Here, Asia, I cannot but think of thee; for I behold the glory which once distinguished thy solemn assemblies, now shining in the churches of the saints in the British isles. Yes, brethren, though the place of the church militant may be changed, its situation altered, yet its privileges can never be taken away, nor can its stability be ever shaken, or its duration ever cease; for, as the mountains were round