"BECAUSE THEY ARE FAITHFUL AND BELOVED." They have believed the gospel, and are partakers of God's benefit, God's greatest and best gift. It benefits every person who receives it. It benefits his intellect, informing it. It benefits his heart, sanctifying it. It benefits his conscience, giving it repose. It benefits his temper, controlling and sweetening it. It benefits his life, preventing many evils and directing to the attainment and possession of many blessings. It benefits the family where it rules. It makes the master kind, the mistress considerate, the servants attentive and industrious, the parents exemplary, and the children obedient. It benefits the commonwealth in which it works. It suggests good laws, requires good government, and makes good subjects. Have we partaken of this benefit? What is intended by this? It is to perceive its divinity, to approve its doctrines, to receive its blessing, to submit to its precepts, to observe its ordinances, to test its joys, and to employ it for every useful purpose. Some hear of it, others listen to it, others taste and disapprove of it, some partake and are benefited by it. In their state, they are justified, in their character, sanctified, and in their circumstances, happy, for they are partakers of the same benefit which flows from the same Saviour and Lord.

For Meditation:
Lord, grant this benefit to me,
And let me feel, and taste, and see
What glories in Thy Gospel dwell
Which saves believing souls from hell!