The glory and interest of nations professing the Gospel preached at a private fast,…

1. In respect of the dispensation of his Gospel amongst them, the profession of it, and subjection to the Ordinances thereof. The Gospel of Christ is a blessed Gospel, a glorious Gospel, in its self, and unto them that embrace it. But yet this profession separated from the Root from which it ought to spring, is not the Glory of any people; Christ is not their glory who are his shame. Empty profession is the shame of Christ in the world; and shall not be others glory. The Apostle tells us that this may consist with a litter of unclean lusts, making them in whom it is abominable to God and man. 2 Tim. 3, 4. &c. If the bare profession of the truth, would render a nation Glorious, Oh how glorious were this nation. So would have been the people of old, who cried the temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord. But when men profess the truth of Christ, but in their hearts and ways maintain and manifest an enmity to the power of that truth, and to all of Christ that is in reality in the world, this is no Glory.

1. In respect of the dispensation of his Gospel amongst them, the profession of it, and subjection to the Ordinances thereof. The Gospel of Christ is a blessed Gospel, a glorious Gospel, in its self, and unto them that embrace it. But yet this profession seperated from the Root from which it ought to spring, is not the Glory of any people; Christ is not their glory who are his shame. Empty profession is the shame of Christ in the world; and shall not be others glory. The Apostle tells us that this may consist with a litter of unclean lusts, making them in whom it is abominable to God and man. 2 Tim. 3, 4. &c. If the bare profession of the truth, would render a nation Glorious, Oh how glorious were this nation. So would have been the people of old, who cryed the temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord. But when men professe the truth of Christ, but in their hearts and wayes maintain and manifest an enmity to the power of that truth, and to all of Christ that is in reality in the world, this is no Glory.

2. Christ is present with a people in and by his spirit, dwelling in their hearts by his spirit and faith, uniting them to himself: I do not distinguish this from the former as inconsistent with it; for though the former may be without this, yet where this is, there will be the former also. Profession may be without union, but union will bring forth profession. There may be a form of Godliness without power: but where the power is, there will be the appearance also. Now when Christ is thus present with a people, that is, they are united to him by his spirit, they are members of his mystical body, that is, their glory. Be they few or many in a nation that are so, they are the Glory of that nation, and nothing else: and where there is the most of them, there is the most glory: and where