which attends the preaching of Christ's Gospel is owing to the eternal Spirit, who renders it effectual, makes it spirit and life, and by it conquers sinners, and comforts saints. What an unspeakable blessing is it to hear the voice of this Turtle, speaking peace and pardon to our hearts! O that it may be our prayer, that the gospel preached here, and throughout our land, may be accompanied with. the power of God, and that the Holy Ghost may be sent down from heaven, to make it effectual to all that believe ! Here let us admire the love of God; he gave his only begotten Son to be a sacrifice for sin, and he gives his eternal Spirit to be a witness for Jesus, and to testify how highly acceptable the offering of Christ's body and soul upon the tree, has been to law and justice; and he sends his eternal Spirit down from heaven to breathe upon his church, to be the Lord and giver of spiritual life unto them, and to perfume their souls, their hearts, and affections, with the savour and odour of Christ's obedience even unto death. He makes the name of Jesus unto them as a

precious ointment poured forth; and by breaking among them this alabaster box, he sheds abroad the rich perfume which refreshes their souls, purifies their consciences, warms their hearts, and eternally engages them, and attracts them unto Christ, who is in their esteem inconceivably and inestimably precious. So that what Isaac said to Jacob, is the case of the church; "See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the Lord hath blessed." And it is hereby that fruit, real fruit, is produced in the hearts, and brought forth in the lives of God's " people, to his praise and glory.

"The fig-tree putteth forth her green figs;" which may be intended to shew how early, abundant, and excellent are the fruits of faith, repentance, and all the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of God, are produced in the hearts, and brought forth in the lives of God's renewed people, through the mighty operation of the Spirit in them and upon them. This shews us, that God's people are alive when they bring forth fruit:

that where Christ dwells, he does make fruitful. And that as, at this season of the year, all trees which are alive bring forth according to their kind; so all that are truly alive to God, bring forth fruit unto God. And you should ask this question: Am I alive to Jesus, am I living to him, and for him? I cannot step into the garden, or walk the fields, but I see every thing springing, all shewing how effectual the air, and rain, and sun, have been to them. If I am alive to God, if Jesus has my heart, if the Holy Ghost dwells in me, then I must be springing forth in affection, and breathing forth most earnest desires after him. It is added, "the vines with the tender grapes give a good smell:" mystically pointing out the blessed fruitfulness of the church, and the sweet smell of their prayers and praises! "Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away." From what has been delivered, we may observe, that all spiritual fruitfulness is owing to Christ. And that, as in nature, the shining of the sun, and the gentle showers of rain, and the soft air, serve to produce a beautiful

spring so in the church of Christ, by means of his blessed shining upon the hearts of his people, and by the showers of his grace, and the blessed breathings of his Spirit, his church is become a paradise of delight; into which the Lord descends, and by his sacred presence, fills it with unspeakable glory. And the Lord Jesus, having solemnly invited his spouse to come forth out of her state of solitude, that he might enjoy her company, and she be happy in him, closes it with a renewal of his request, "Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away." May what has been delivered be a means of quickening our souls, and of causing us to arise in heart and affection after him, and seek him in every means of grace; and may we be looking out, and longing for his calling us to come up where he is, to behold his glory, and to sit down at his marriage-supper, to praise and adore him for ever. Amen.

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SERMON VIII.

ZECHARIAH VI. 12, 13.

THUS SPEAKETH THE LORD OF HOSTS, SAYING, BEHOLD, THE MAN WHOSE NAME IS THE BRANCH; AND HE SHALL GROW UP OUT OF HIS PLACE, AND HE SHALL BUILD THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD: EVEN HE SHALL BUILD THE TEMPLE OF the Lord; AND HE SHALL BEAR THE GLORY, AND SHALL SIT AND RULE UPON HIS THRONE, AND HE SHALL BE A PRIEST UPON HIS THRONE AND THE COUNCIL OF PEACE SHALL BE BETWEEN THEM BOTH.

Ir would serve much for our spiritual profit and instruction, in our reading the sacred scriptures, to consider the state and condition of God's church and people, at the time, when the Lord is pleased to comfort them with his gracious promises and declarations of mercy. It was an

ancient, and it is still the observation of the children of God, that "in the mount the Lord will be seen." In the mount of difficulties he does appear for the deli