place, that the Lord has a People, a People in this world peculiar to Himself; who in an especial manner belong to Him, and in a way different from others, are His property, the objects of His care, and the sheep of His pasture. It is plain that this is one thing, which the person who rightly uses these words must believe: for the belief of it is implied in the words.

But whence then does he obtain this belief, and on what foundation does he rest it? He obtains it from the Scriptures, and rests it on the truth of the Word of God. There is no fact more plainly revealed, and declared in Scripture, than that God has always had a People in the world: a People, peculiar to Himself, and separate and distinguished from others: a People, who living in the world, have not been of the world: a people, whose principles and dispositions, whose character and conduct have differed widely from those of the generation among whom they have lived; whose hearts have been right in the sight of God; who have been renewed by His Grace; who have walked by faith in His word; who have worshipped Him in spirit and in truth; who have offered to Him spiritual sacrifices, even the fruits of righteousness, to His praise and glory.

Such a People there has always been, from the days of Abel to the present moment; a

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remnant according to the election of Grace; a generation of faithful persons; a seed, who have served the Lord. At some times indeed they may have been more, and at other times fewer in number; at one period they may have been more visible, and at another more concealed; at one season they may have prospered and flourished; and at another they may have been oppressed, and greatly reduced: under one dispensation they may have been favoured with a less copious effusion of light; under another they may have enjoyed a brighter and clearer revelation. But still they have always existed. In every age God has had a people, who in a peculiar sense were His own. He had them in the days of David, when this Psalm was written.. He has them in the present day.

My Brethren, do you believe this truth? Do you in your heart believe that God has in the world such a People as I have been describing a separate, peculiar, spiritual people; redeemed from their vain conversation, and living the life which they live in the flesh, by faith in the Son of God: a people,, who are governed by motives and principles different from those by which the generality of mankind are governed: a people, who conscientiously fear and serve God, who habitually take His word for their rule, His promises for their trust, and His Glory for

their end? I ask, whether you really believe that there are such a people in the world, who are really and sincerely living under the influence of pure, vital, evangelical Religion? Or do you suppose, that there is no such distinction as this among mankind : that all men are alike in their hearts and dispositions before God; and that those who profess to be different, and to think and live differently from the rest of the world, are no better than hypocrites and deceivers, than enthusiasts and fanatics? If this latter be your supposition, you clearly cannot use the petition in the text; for it speaks distinctly of the People of God, as à peculiar people. You have not that belief, which lies at the very foundation of this petition. The person who uses it aright, believes that God has a People. He also believes,

In the second place, that the Lord has a peculiar Favour to His People. This is another truth plainly implied in this petition. The Psalmist speaks in it of the Favour, which the Lord beareth unto His People; the Favour, the peculiar, and distinguished Favour, which He bears to them. As they peculiarly and pre-eminently belong to Him, so He notices and values them in a peculiar and pre-eminent degree. This is a truth also most clearly founded on the word of God. It is repeatedly written that the Lord

"knoweth" his People: that He "careth for them:" that He hath respect unto them :" that He accounts them as "His Treasure," "His Jewels:" and regards them as "the Apple of his Eye."

But in what respects, it may be asked, is the Favour which the Lord beareth to His people, a peculiar Favour? What are its nature and quality, which so particularly distinguish it?

It is a Favour gracious and free in its origin. The Lord does not love, and care for His people for the sake of any goodness or merit in them. They deserve nothing good at His hands. They have done nothing to merit His favour. They were poor, lost, guilty, unholy sinners, when first He found them, and brought them into His fold. There He washed them in His own blood, and clothed them in His own righteousness, and put into them His own Spirit. And why did He do all these things for them? Because they were better than others, or could do more for Him than others could do? No: but because he pitied, and set his love upon them: because "He will have mercy on whom He will have mercy, and compassion on whom He will have compassion."-Again,

As the Favour of God to his people is gracious in its origin, so it is active in its operation. The Lord does not merely feel a

their good. It was this Love, which first led Him to plan their Salvation, and to provide a Saviour for them. It was this Love, which induced him to stir up their hearts to seek this Saviour, and to lay hold of His Salvation. It is this Love, which still works for their good which still sustains, supports, and blesses them. To this Favour, which he bears them, they are indebted for protection in danger, for deliverance in trouble, for guidance in difficulties, for consolation in distress. But further,

The Favour of God to His People is also constant in its exercise. While he regards them with pity, and vouchsafes to them blessings, He pities and blesses them at all times. He is watchful over their interests, and never remits His care and protection towards them. The Keeper of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. His ear is ever open to their prayers. His eye is ever turned upon them for good. His hand is ever opened to supply, stretched out to assist, and lifted up to protect them. He may at times reprove and afflict them. He may suffer calamities to come fast and heavy upon them. He may seem to forget their sufferings, and to be unmindful of their cries. But this is not really the case. is neither forgetful nor unmindful of them. He is only afflicting them in mercy, and chastising them for their profit. Their very

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