SERMONS. 419 



sanctuaries ;) and to set up the wing of abomina- 

 tions (spoken of by Daniel the Prophet) even in 

 the holy place. Nay but pluck them from mine 

 altars, (saith God,) or slay them there, that sin 

 presumptuously, and with a high hand. God 

 will not be so merciful to those that offend of ma- 

 licious wickedness, as to receive them, with all 

 their sins about them, under that sacred and saving 

 protection. The holy dove broods not a kite, or 

 a vulture : they are birds quite of another feather. 

 If, in good earnest, we would be fostered and 

 cherished under God's wings, we must first be 

 hatched into his likeness and samilitude, be re- 

 newed after his image, and be made partakers in 

 some measure of the divine nature. 



To hover no longer in generalities ; the fruitful 

 metaphor of the text, as you have distinctly seen, 

 is big with our privilege ; so to qualify us for that, 

 it is as remarkably pregnant with our duty also. 

 Among the rest, it clearly suggests to us in three 

 noble instances of our duty, so many apt and pro- 

 per qualifications to fit and prepare us for God's 

 wing. 1. A pious trust and confidence in God. 

 2. A fervent devotion towards God, and his holy 

 worship in his temple. And 3. A constant un- 

 wearied perseverance in both the former ; for it is 

 donee transieriiit, until these calamities be over- 

 past. And, 



1 . For trust and affiance in God : it is visible, 

 that to fly under God's wings, and to make him 

 our refuge, and to trust in him, are parallel 



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