es all the fruits of his praise, and
offer them up to his majesty. This was the end of man, and this is the end
of a Christian. You are made for this, and you were redeemed for this, to
read upon the volumes of his works and word, and from thence extract songs
of praise to his majesty.

As this would be of great moment to the right worshipping of God, and to
the exercise of true holiness, so it is most effectual to the establishing
of a soul in the confidence of the promises of God. When a soul by faith
understands the world was made by God, then it relies with confidence upon
that same word of God, as a word of power, and hopes against hope. There
are many things in the Christian's way betwixt him and glory, which look
as insuperable. Thou art often emptied into nothing, and stripped naked of
all encouragements, and there is nothing remaining but the word of God's
promises to thee and to the church, which seems contrary to sense and
reason. Now, I say, if thou do indeed believe that the world was made by
God, then out of all question thou mayest silence all thy fears with this
one thought--God created this whole frame out of nothing, he commanded the
light to shine out of darkness then certainly he can give a being to his
own promises. Is not his word of promise as sure and effectual as his word
of command? This is the grand encouragement of the church, both offered by
God, from Isa. chap. xl., and made use of by his saints, as David,
Hezekiah, &c. What is it would disquiet a soul if it were reposed on this
rock of creating power and faithfulness? This would always sound in its
ears,--"Faint not, weary not, Jacob, I am God, and none else. The portion
of Jacob is not like others." Be it inward or outward
difficulties,--suppose hell and earth combined together,--let all the
enemies of a soul, or of the church assemble,--here is one for all. The God
that made the heaven and the earth can speak, and it is done, command, and
it stands fast! He creates peace, and who then can make trouble, when he
gives quietness to a nation, or to a person? Almighty power works in
saints, and for saints. Let us trust in him.

Lecture XIX.

Of The Creation 0f Man

Gen. i. 26, 27.--"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after
our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea,
and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all
the earth, and over eve