may grieve him, when, depending on the world and our own resolution, we contemn his consolations and succours.

Most absurd, indeed, and criminal, when almighty Power is ready to succour us, to depend on our own strength, which has so often failed us!— when the ineffable consolations of the Divine Comforter are offered us, to rely on the world, which has so often proved vain and deceitful! To him who sincerely implores his succour, the Holy Ghost will prove a spirit of counsel in difficulty, of strength in temptation, of light in darkness, of courage and zeal under every difficulty. The soul that ardently desires to partake of his consolations, the Holy Ghost will visit with that peace of mind which passeth all understanding, which the world cannot give nor take away.

Christians, let us then, in our warfare with our spiritual foes, arm ourselves with the invincible power of the Spirit of God. Let us, in all our sorrows and trials, flee for consolation to the blessed Comforter, the Fountain of living waters, disregarding the vain and disappointing comforts of the world. Let us not impiously distrust the grace and mercy of our divine Guide and Comforter, and, when an almighty arm is stretched out to defend us, rely on the arm of flesh. "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God."

Christian brethren, how great is the honour to which we are called, that we should be the subjects of the grace of God, the temple in which his Spirit dwells! What purity and circumspection, what zeal and holiness should distinguish and elevate us! Shall we defile the temple of God? "If any man defile the temple of God," saith the apostle,

"him will God destroy." In our natural estate, blind and erring, ignorant of the will of God, averse to his authority and laws, in bondage to sin and misery, with what gratitude should we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, designed to restore us from this miserable state, and to exalt us into the light of divine truth, into the holiness and the happiness of heaven! With what humble and grateful zeal and diligence should we submit to his inspection, follow his guidance, and seek his gracious influences in the worship and ordinances of his church, and especially in that supper, in which we this day commemorate his advent! If we resist, and grieve, and do despite to him, what plea shall we urge, at the tribunal of final judgment, against our condemnation? Almighty aid was offered us, and we refused it. Infinite wisdom undertook to guide us: we chose rather the erring lights of our own reason. Divine grace was seeking admission into our souls, to renew and purify them: we chose to remain in slavery to sin; we resisted God's grace, we did despite to his Spirit, we counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith we were sanctified, an unholy thing.

Spirit of God! save us from this consummation of impiety and guilt-blasphemy against theecontempt of thy succours, rejection of thy grace.

SERMON XXXIII.

THE WITNESS OF THE SPIRIT.

ROMANS viii. 16, 17.

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs: heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.

THIS passage exhibits a most interesting view of the exalted condition of Christians. They are "children of God," enjoying the intimate favour of that glorious Being who is possessed of every perfection, and in whose favour substantial and everlasting felicity is to be found. They are "heirs of God," entitled to that inheritance of glory which God from the fulness of his bliss hath prepared for them. They are "joint-heirs with Christ;" associated with him in a title to that glory to which, as the Son of God, in his human nature he is exalted in heaven.

This passage also assures to them these blessings, not only by the testimony of their own hearts, but also by the witness of the Spirit of God. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our Spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ."

Christians! let me at this time call you to contemplate your privileges, as described in the text; and the nature of the testimony by which they are assured to you.

The privileges of Christians.

The testimony by which these privileges are assured to them.

I. The privileges of Christians.

1. They are "the children of God."

This interesting appellation implies the most tender affection, the most anxious care, not of some earthly parent, of goodness, wisdom, and power enlarged and exalted-but of that infinite and eternal Being whose goodness, wisdom, and power transcend all human conception. Animate as well as inanimate creation is the work of that Almighty Jehovah, who, in this sense, is the Father of the universe. All intellectual and moral beings acknowledge, as their Father, him, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named: all men are, in one sense, the sons of God, as they derive from him their life, their reason, their moral perception, their capacity for happiness,-and are destined by him for the enjoyment of his favour, for everlasting felicity in his presence. But sin has made them strangers to their Father's home-aliens from his family. By nature, they are children of wrath; that is, without any covenant title to his favour; and, on account of the actual transgressions which they commit, subject to his eternal displeasure.

But, thanks to the goodness and mercy of their heavenly Father, they are not left destitute of the means of return to his family and home, and of regaining his love and favour. On the conditions of truly repenting of their sins, of exercising lively faith in the merits of him whom God hath set forth as the Saviour of the world, and of steadfastly purposing to lead a new life, all who are admitted by VOL. III. 51

baptism into that spiritual family which is chosen out of the world, become again "children of God." God, as their Father, promises to them forgiveness, to purity their hearts by his Holy Spirit, and to giv them the spirit of adoption. Fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, they are born, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which abideth for ever. And if, as his children, they render to God the constant homage and affection of their hearts, and serve him with filial reverence and fear, he will continue to extend to them his fatherly protection and love.

2. Not only are Christians children of Godthey are also heirs of God.

"If children," is the inference of the apostle, "then heirs, heirs of God."

Of little value indeed would be the privileges of "children of God" which Christians enjoy, if he had not in reserve for them, blessings beyond this frail and transitory life. For the privileges of children in this their state of exile, they only imperfectly enjoy their home: their heavenly Father's house is in heaven; and, distant from it, they here only in a small degree part ike of that favour which, in heaven, God their Father will, in its rich fulness, bestow upon them. They here only imperfectly partake of that divine image, as God's children, which in heaven will be fully impressed upon their souls. And here, clothed as they are with an earthly tabernacle, they must wait in earnest desire to be clothed upon with a house which is from heaven.

Christians, then, are heirs of God. He hath prepared for them blessings, of which, in the pre