be efficacious, and nothing short of this experience can render essential good; the reason why so many, even of professing Christians, are without consolation in Christ, is, because they merely approve the gospel in the eye of their enlightened reason, but never have felt its healing power in their hearts; but where the soul is restored by grace, it resembles bodily health, it is a gracious frame of spirit towards God, better known by its actual possession than expressed in any form of words.

Whilst, however, I maintain this exclusive ground as regards his restoration, I do not mean to exclude his having recourse to any, or all the means of grace which the Spirit of God might bless, nor would I put a stop to any other enquiries he may choose to make; on the contrary, there is nothing in enlightened reason, or in Scripture, to hinder the spirit of honest enquiry; indeed, the desire itself is commendable, and deserves to be cherished; it is conducive to the best interests of man; the Spirit of God is given with that view, he is to conduct us aright in our enquiries after truth, he is to guide our understandings to a right apprehension of elementary principles, and he undertakes to help to search. out the deep things of God.

But, notwithstanding this admission, and its importance generally, we must never lose sight of the fact, that it is the sole prerogative of the Holy Spirit, both to create anew in Christ, and to restore. The reason why so few were born again, and truly brought home to God during our Lord's ministry, can be resolved on no other

principle; it was because the Holy Ghost was not yet given in his plenary influence, the Lord Jesus not being yet glorified; but when he came forth to public view in his mediatorial character, and ascended to God as the great Captain of our salvation, then the light and life of the Spirit and of the gospel too, broke forth with uncommon lustre and power; no less were converted at once than three thousand souls. (Acts ii. 41.)

The Holy Spirit in his sanctifying and gracious influences is the alone self-sufficient, and all-sufficient teacher; when he graciously condescends to teach our friend, he will teach him with profit, he will open his heart; he will enlighten his blinded eyes; he will enable his soul to receive the truth in the love of it; he will impart to him the power to hear to edification; he will tell him what to make of all he hears and reads; how to read his interest in the covenant of mercy; how to apply the promises; what to receive; what to reject utterly; and what only to avoid: one hour's saving instruction of the Holy Spirit, will produce a greater effect on his mind, and it will lead him into more gospel truth than a thousand

sermons.

It is not the words, or persuasion of men, that will bring any wandering sheep back to the fold, it is power derived from the Holy Ghost, a power not proceeding from a loud voice, but according to the Lord's promise. "At thy word," said Peter, "I will let down the net," and then the result was a great multitude of fishes.

If he rest on any other pillar it will break under him; all besides are but means to an end; if he

relies on any other agency, he leans upon he knows not what; if he does not honour God the Spirit in his restoration, he wants a cordial, not the truth; he is seeking a flattering unction, not a heart-felt experience; and he plainly shows that hitherto the Holy Ghost has never opened his eyes, and showed him what there is in Christ to rely on; he is still in his sins, and the gospel and its saving truths are unknown.

SECTION XXXIII.

RESTORATION THROUGH ELECTING LOVE.

EPAPHRAS. PHILEMON.-APOLLOS.

TIMOTHEUS.

GAMALIEL-A self-righteous Pharisee. Acts ii. 23.

Epaphras.-The whole framework and superstructure of Christianity is based on the great doctrine of Election; and whether we speak of the history of private individuals, or whole nations, it makes no difference: it amounts to one and the same thing; they only serve to confirm the same great truth: it is all, as Saint Paul argues, (Rom. xi. 5.) according to "the election of grace;" so that whatever be God's purposes of grace and mercy towards man individually, or in a national form, it all rests on this firm footing.

Election and predestination unto life, we are told, in Article XVII. of our church, is the everlasting purpose of God: the godly consideration of it is full of sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort to godly persons, and such as feel in themselves the working of the Spirit of Christ mortifying the works of the flesh, and their earthly members, and drawing up their minds to high and heavenly things.

Philemon.-Indeed, ever since I have recovered the love of God in Christ, this doctrine has been a source of unutterable consolation to me: I have found it a hold-fast for my soul, when in any sub

sequent temptations; an anchor for my sinking spirits, when buffeted and sorely cast down. I see it in the firmament of divine revelation as immoveably fixed as the poles of the earth; and I have now as full an assurance of the truth of it, as I have of mine own consciousness: nothing but the electing love of God in Christ could have recovered and kept me from utter despair: if the Lord Christ had not had a faster hold of me, and a greater interest in me than I in him, I must have gone for ever! But, blessed be his name! his interest in his church and people is the oldest interest in the world; it was before my birth, "for in his book all my members were written, which, in continuance, were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them :" (Psalm cxxxix. 16.) before the existence of our first parents; yes! before the birth of time, or the utmost bounds of thought; and as all interest between Christ and his church are reciprocal, consequently, if he had an interest in me for ever, I had in him for ever!

Epaphras.-Blessed reflection! and yet as true as it is blessed! How often has the contemplation of it lifted up my depressed spirit! how often has it brightened the ministerial scene lying before me, and added new life and vigour to exertion! Were it not for God's purpose, what would become of us? what would be the fruit of our labour? Were it not for his will going with ours, who would ever receive the gospel in the love of it, or having received it, hold out even unto the end?

Apollos. Well therefore does Saint Paul lay