demnation, but is passed from death unto life (n). He shall become a partaker of that kingdom where there is no more death. In the pre sence of that Redeemer who has declared, Whosoever believeth in me shall never die (0); of that Redeemer who has not only destroyed the power of death, but has passed the sentence of destruction upon death itself; he shall live world without end. Ransomed from the grave, raised at the last day, his corruptible shall put on incorruption; his mortality shall put on immortality. Then can he die no more, for he is made equal unto the angels. And his life shall be everlasting bliss. In the realms to which he is exalted, not only is there no death, but neither is there crying nor pain'; for the former things are passed away. He stands throughout eternity before God, in whose presence is fulness of joy, and at whose right hand are pleasures for evermore.

III. But whence is it that such a blessed hope is in store for the followers of righteousness, against the appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ? Whence is it that glories so far surpassing the imagination of man, shall be poured forth through(0) John, xi. 25, 26.

(n) John, v. 24.

out

out endless ages, upon the spirits of just men made perfect? The apostle explains the reason. As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of God. Such are the riches of the mercy of God, the Father, to all who are sanctified unto obedience by his Spirit; that he regards them as his own children, as brethren of his beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ; and for his sake admits them to enter into the fulness of the joy of their Lord.

They who are led by the Spirit, are born of the Spirit (p). They who are born of the Spirit, are born of God (q). They have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby they cry unto God, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with their Spirit, that they are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ (r). The Lord Jesus himself is not ashamed to call them brethren (s). His concluding prayer for them to his heavenly Father, before he suffered, was; Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am (t). It is by him that every blessing which awaits them has been purchased and prepared. It is

(p) John, iii. 5. 15-17.

(9) 1 John, iii. 1,9. (s) Heb. ii. 11.

(r) Rom. viii. (t) John, xvii. 24.

by

by him that the enjoyment of each of those blessings will be conferred upon them. Because, having been led by his Spirit, they are adopted as his brethren, he shall put them into complete possession of that glory, which, as Lord of the universe, in his human nature, he enjoys. Not only shall they be in a state of happiness, but they shall be for ever with him (u). Not only shall they be for ever with him, but they shall be like him; for they shall see him as he is (v). Not only shall their vile body be rendered incorruptible, incapable of pain, qualified for happiness beyond our present comprehension; but Christ shall change it so that it shall be fashioned like unto his own glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things to himself (w). Not only shall their souls be blessed with knowledge of God, of his ways, of his works, to an extent which is at present inconceivable; but their faculties shall be so exalted as to resemble those of their glorified Redeemer. The spirits of just men made perfect, shall know even as they are known (x). Not only shall they be established in bliss, surpassing the most ardent hopes on which the imagination can dwell;

(u) 1 Thes. iv. 17. (v) 1 John, iii. 2. (w) Philipp. iii. 21. (x) 1 Cor. xiii. 12,

but

but the height of glory to which they shall be raised shall be of the same nature with that, which belongs to the incarnate son of the Most High. To him, saith our Lord, that overcometh will I grant to sit with me on my throne; even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father on his throne (y). Thus eminently shall the righteous be recognised as the Sons of God!

You perceive, my brethren, that it is only through the Spirit of God, that you can be enabled to mortify the deeds of the body, to attain to living faith, and to work the works of Christian morality: only through him that you can escape eternal death, and gain possession of life everlasting. If they then that are in the flesh cannot please God: if the proof that ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, be this, that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you: if any man, who has not the Spirit of Christ, is none of his (z): how deservedly is that Holy Spirit pronounced, in the Liturgy of our church, to be "the Lord and Giver "of life!"

you

Are desirous to learn whether you are living to the Spirit? Examine yourself whether you be in the faith. Prove your ownself, whether your belief in the doctrine of the Lord Jesus

(y) Rev. iii. 25.

(z) Rom. viii. 8, 9.

Christ,

Christ, your love and gratitude and humility towards your Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, be such as become the Gospel. Examine yourself, prove yourself, whether your life be moral. If it be in any point wilfully immoral, you are living not after the Spirit, but after the flesh. And if you persist in thus living after the flesh, you shall die. If your conduct be moral, is it from the heart? Is it from prudence, or from conscience? Is it for the sake of man, or of God? If your morality, literally accurate as it may be, is not the effect of faith which worketh by love ; it is not after the Spirit, but after the flesh. It is not Christian morality. In the sight of God it is not morality.

Are you anxious that the Holy Spirit should lead you to eternal life? Follow three plain directions pressed upon you in the Scriptures, and your desires shall be accomplished.

ye

First: seek for the grace of the Holy Spirit by suitable prayer in the name of Christ. Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Ask, and shall have: seek, and ye shall find: knock, and it shall be opened unto you. If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy