Again, the Psalmist says, “in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.” He vows, that not only in the company of his faithful friends, but also in the great congregation, in the holy temple, the power and mercy of Jehovah shall be publicly proclaimed. {401} Not that any particular acts, of providence or grace, could be there mentioned by name; but that the thankfulness, which he feels for them, would put new life and energy into his praises, in the House of God. And this also we shall do well to imitate; this we shall assuredly imitate, if we have the true spirit of faith and piety. At all times, the sincere worshipper has so powerful a sense of the divine goodness in his heart, as to preserve him, in his public thanksgivings, from indifference and languor; but there are times, when he is visited with peculiar favour, with signal deliverances and blessings; and the remembrance of them will inspire him, when he next visits the temple of the Lord, with more than ordinary ardour; “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh;” and as his love and gratitude rise, his tribute of praise will ascend, in a loftier strain, to the fountain of mercy, to the throne of grace. And God will hear him, and accept the free-will offering; he will return from worship in a holier frame, and with a more heavenly temper; the incense which he has been wafting to the skies, will leave a fragrance behind, and spread to his character; and he will be rendered meet, through the grace and intercession of his Redeemer, for further manifestations of divine love. And O still better fruit, still happier effects of his devout thanksgiving! he will be preparing his soul for more exalted praises in the world to come, amid the countless multitude of worshippers, in the courts of the Lamb; where the holy-angels and the glorified saints shall rejoice together, in seeking out and recounting the surpassing love of God to His church and people, to His universal creation in all ages. Exulting in the light divine, and sharing together the blessedness of the Saviour’s triumph, praise shall be their constant employment; and the vaults of heaven shall eternally echo with this their joyful theme, “Great and marvellous are Thy works. Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of Saints.” {403} SERMON XXII. DILIGENCE AND PERSEVERANCE IN THE CHRISTIAN RACE. PHILIPP. iii. 13, 14. _Brethren_, _I count not myself to have apprehended_; _but this one thing I do_, _forgetting those things which are behind_, _and reaching forth unto those things which are before_, _I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus_.