And on some special occasions, the HOLY GHOST unfolds the roll of immortality, and gives the believer to behold his unworthy name written in "the LAMB's book of life." Such was the happy experience of St. Paul and of the Ephesians; so that he could say-" Blessed be the GoD and FATHER of our LORD "JESUS CHRIST, who hath blessed us with all spiritual

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blessings in heavenly places in CHRIST: according 66 as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation "of the world, that we should be holy and without "blame before Him in love: having predestinated "us unto the adoption of children by JESUS CHRIST to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His "will:" Eph. i. 3—5.

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Nor was this assurance of personal interest in the election of grace, and of consequent preservation unto eternal life, a privilege peculiar to Apostles and primitive Christians; for St. Peter has left this exhortation on record, for the use and direction of all who should afterwards obtain like precious faithGive diligence to make your calling and election sure:" the plain meaning whereof, is-Seek to obtain a well-grounded persuasion that you are the called and the chosen of GoD, according to His eternal purpose. In order to this, look to the promised aid of the HOLY GHOST: for He is the revealer of the eternal love of God to the believing soul. "The love of "GOD is shed abroad in our hearts by the HOLY "GHOST given unto us. The SPIRIT HIMSELF beareth "witness with our spirits, that we are the children of

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GOD."-And when this is the case, He gives “ everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace," and thus 66 comforts the heart, and stablishes the Christian in every good word and work.”

In conclusion, I would address a few words to those who have, and to those who have not, received the SPIRIT OF TRUTH.

1st. To those who have received Him.-Brethren, consider who dwelleth with you, and shall be in you it is the HOLY GHOST. Strive therefore to realize His presence continually. Be watchful for His secret suggestions; and be careful "to obey His godly motions in all things." When you feel a holy desire, think, "This is the breathing of the HOLY GHOST upon my soul;" and be anxious to cherish it in your heart, and to give it full effect in your conduct. And amidst the pressure of bodily or spiritual troubles, forget not that you have a COмFORTER near at hand. Look to Him for consolation. Read the Word of God; through means of which, GOD THE HOLY GHOST imparts consolation and peace. Meditate upon promises suited to your present condition; and pray for His grace to enable you to apply them to your own case and circumstances. Call to remembrance past seasons of inward comfort, produced by His gracious influence, while you were reading, hearing, praying, or communicating: and seek a renewal of such spiritual consolations; which

you are authorised to expect, since the text says, He shall abide with you for ever." And "walk circumspectly." It is the HOLY GHOST who dwelleth in you let not therefore vain, erroneous, sinful thoughts find a resting-place in your minds, or unruly passions in your hearts; neither let words of deceit and iniquity be heard from your lips, or acts of disobedience and ungodliness be seen in your conduct. "Grieve not," in any of these ways, "the "HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."

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Lastly, Let those who have not the SPIRIT OF GOD, reflect upon their present state and future prospects.Every one who has not been " born again"-every one who has not felt his sins to be a sore burden-every one who has not believed with the heart in the LORD JESUS CHRIST, trusting in His obedience alone for acceptance, and in His atoning blood for pardon-every one who lives without prayer-every one who allows himself in the commission of any known sin—all these are without the SPIRIT OF CHRIST. Brethren, think upon this declaration of Scripture, "If any man have not the SPIRIT OF CHRIST, he is none of His." You, then, are not CHRIST'S. Whose are you? Belial's : -"children of wrath"- heirs of perdition! And will you remain in this state? Now you are not happy. You are in a world of sorrow. You know what it is to grieve and mourn; for "man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward." And not

having the HOLY GHOST abiding in you, you have no Comforter. It is true, you seek relief in your afflictions; but the conviction of your heart must at length break forth in this language of bitter disappointment, concerning all the things, pleasures, and friendships of this world—" Miserable Comforters are ye all!" O brethren, be persuaded at once to ask for the promised gift of the HOLY SPIRIT! Pray the FATHER in CHRIST's name, and He shall give you this blessed COMFORTER. Think upon the encouraging words of JESUS, "If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts "unto your children, how much more shall your "HEAVENLY FATHER give the HOLY SPIRIT to them "that ask Him." Ask therefore, that you may receive; seek, that you may find; pray for the HOLY SPIRIT that you may be made alive unto God, and be fitted to live with GOD for ever.

SERMON XI.

THE WATER OF LIFE.

JOHN iv. 14.

Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst: but the water that I shall give him, shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

OUR gracious GOD and SAVIOUR, who knoweth best our frame, has necessarily suited His mode of instruction to our capacities and sensibilities. As it hath pleased Him to form our minds so as to receive ideas through means of the objects of the bodily senses; so hath He graciously employed those objects to convey to the understanding and the heart those allimportant truths, whose spiritual reception is indispensably necessary to our eternal happiness. The method of instruction in the Bible, is conformed to the principles of the soundest reason and philosophy; and in respect to the constitution of the human mind, no less than to the sublime communications which the Scriptures make to man, they may properly and emphatically be denominated the Word of Wisdom. This Word speaks of the Being, the Perfections, and Operations of GOD. And this it does, not in abstract and metaphysical language, but in terms derived