tranquillity and peace. This is the blessedness, which is so constantly promised to the children of GoD. It is that sabbatical rest, that promised land, into which they have entered through the Jordanic floods of great tribulation. Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born again of the water of sanctified affliction and of the SPIRIT, he cannot enter into either the present or the future kingdom of heaven. We must first be sanctified and cleansed with the washing of the water of affliction, through the instrumentality of the Word, and by the operative principle of the SPIRIT. We must indeed drink of CHRIST's cup of inward sorrow, and be baptized with His baptism of outward afflictions. We must be baptized into a "fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death." The SPIRIT of GOD, the water of affliction, and the blood of CHRIST, are the three that bear witness in earth, to that record of our election in heaven, which was framed

before the foundation of the world.·

Such is the checkered life of the Christian, in which all things tend as much to his temporal happiness, as to his spiritual welfare. It is only when the SPIRIT of CHRIST sleeps in his heart, that storms arise and agitate his breast; but when He awakes, an unutterable calm succeeds, the clouds of unhappiness are dissipated, and the tempest of worldly passions is lulled to rest. "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity and in whose spirit there is no guile." "Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your GOD. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD's hand double for all her sins." Thus do mercy and truth meet together; thus do justice and peace kiss each other.

But, if we have not attained this

blessedness in the present life, how is it possible that we can enjoy it hereafter! There is indeed a capacity for the enjoyment of heaven, "a meetness for the inheritance of the saints in light," which we must attain in the present, before we can enter into the future kingdom of heaven. This capacity and meetness, I have shewn to arise from the renovation of our fallen condition, by the inhabitation and inworking of the HOLY SPIRIT. This renovation consists in the enlightening of the understanding, the rectifying of the will, the renewing of the natural conscience, and in implanting the blessedness of perfect peace.

If we are not renewed after the image of Him that created us, we can never enjoy communion with GoD, either in this world, or in the next. Even in the intercourse we hold with our fellowcreatures, we enjoy the society of those only, in whom we find a kindred taste, and a congenial disposition. Thus, heaven does not consist in the

gratification of our carnal appetites and ideas but in the unity of one SPIRIT with the GODHEAD; in spiritual love and gratitude towards GoD and our Redeemer; and in joining the angelic hosts, in celebrating through all eternity, the praises of a Triune God. "The kingdom of GoD is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the HOLY GHOST."

I have now endeavoured to point out the necessity of the inhabitation of the SPIRIT, in order that we may be united to CHRIST, and may belong to the communion of His saints. "If any man have not the SPIRIT of CHRIST, he is none of His." In conclusion, allow me to enforce on you all, the duty of proving yourselves, "whether ye be in the faith?" Whether you have received the SPIRIT of CHRIST? Whether you walk after the flesh, or after the Spirit? These are inquiries of awful and momentous importance :

since, "if any man have not the SPIRIT

of CHRIST, he is none of His;" and he must consequently belong to his "father the devil." For there are only two families on earth;-two ways that the children of men travel;-two places of reception in the next world. Should the consciences of any condemn them, I would wish to encourage such, in the diligent and persevering use of the appointed means of grace, by directing their attention to that gracious promise, which says: "How much more shall your heavenly FATHER give His HOLY SPIRIT to them that ask Him." There is no limitation of the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT to a particular age: quently, none can plead the impossibility of his receiving the SPIRIT of CHRIST. Our Saviour, before His departure, comforts His disciples with these words: "I will pray the FATHER, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you, (that is, the Church,) for ever." St. Peter also says: "The promise of the SPIRIT is to you, and your children, and to all that are afar

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