How often is this beautiful and emphatic benediction repeated in a cold and formal manner! How indecent the practice of many in our worshipping assemblies, who busy themselves in preparing to withdraw while these solemn words are pronounced! Let us often endeavour to realize the full meaning of the expressions. If we enjoy the favour of Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Spirit, what is there left to value or desire! The favour of man is deceitful—the love of the creature is inconstant—and we cannot always enjoy the communion of our earthly friends. But the grace of the Saviour, like himself, is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever—the love of the Father is constant and unbounded, and the presence of the Spirit is promised to the church, even to the end of the world.

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