In our original dedication to GOD, accordingly, in the sacra ment of baptism, this indispensable, supernatural assistance is certified to our senses by "an outward and visible sign, ordained by CHRIST himself, as a means whereby we receive the same, and a pledge to assure us thereof." Hence, the sacramental character of the ordinance, in representing to our senses the mystery of our ingrafting into CHRIST, and being made partakers of his SPIRIT; thus giving to faith that additional assurance which is furnished by the personal application of a general promise, and the 'personal undertaking of a common obligation. Much, my brethren, depends upon the view we take of the gospel, as a message from God to mankind in general; and of the ordinances of the gospel, as connected with the promises therein contained. For, however true, however attractive in its promises, and full of comfort and hope in its discoveries, it is but a speculation of the intellect, until personally appropriated, through its outward and visible ordinances. These are the title deeds, as it were, by which this rich provision of the love of GOD towards the world at large, is specially conveyed and made over to each individual who is called to the knowledge of this grace, and accepts the invitation of the gospel. By the undertaking of the Son of God for this sin-ruined world, called in Scripture the grace given us in CHRIST JESUS before the world began, GOD is enabled to offer terms of reconciliation and forgiveness to sinners, promises of favour and reward to believers, and to supply the disabilities consequent on original sin with renewed powers of spiritual capacity; and as these are derived from the operations of the HOLY GHOST, therefore it is, that the gift of the SPIRIT OF GOD, as the root and spring of all spiritual attainment, is bestowed and certified in that ordinance in which we solemnly undertake the obligations of the gospel. Thus is the religion we profess a reasonable service. Almighty God, of his mercy and goodness, supplies our lost ability by the renewal of spiritual strength, and, therefore, requires our duty; of his infinite wisdom he certifies his promise of this grace to our senses, by an outward and visible act of the most solemn and influential character, thereby rendering to faith, as the evidence of things not seen, an assurance which it could not otherwise

have, and, to the exertions and obedience of redeemed sinners, a stimulous, a support, a confidence, which leads to victory over sin, to holiness of life, to eternal glory.

But, my brethren, as men, though fallen, are yet moral beings, and not machines; as, in that capacity, they have to account to GOD, and, according to their improvement or abuse of his grace, to be rewarded or punished everlastingly; this fundamental doctrine of the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT, must be considered, and understood by us in the nature of assistance and co-operation, and not otherwise. By the HOLY GHOST, GOD worketh in us to will and to do; and, therefore, he requires us to work out our own salvation. By the HOLY GHOST, he illuminates our minds with the knowledge of divine truth, through the word spoken unto us by his Son; and, therefore, requires us to believe and obey the gospel-to come to the light, and to walk in the light, as children of the light. By the HOLY GHOST, he convinces us of sin in our nature and in our actions; prompts and suggests in our hearts serious thoughts, holy desires, good counsels; strengthens us to believe, inclines us to pray, inspires our petitions, and answers our prayers; and, therefore, requires us to follow the SPIRIT in his gracious leadings and teachings, as the way to life-the new and living way to the kingdom of Heaven, which our Saviour JESUS CHRIST has opened to all believers.

Thus much seemed necessary to be premised, my brethren, on the doctrine of spiritual influence in general, and on its special connexion with the sacrament of baptism, in order to the clearer understanding and more profitable enforcement of the exhortation of my text, which I shall now proceed to explain and apply.

And grieve not the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

From the context, it is evident, that this exhortation is addressed by the apostle to baptized believers or professing Christians; and from the connexion with his previous admonitions in which it stands, it is equally evident, that it is an exhortation to a special duty, grounded on a particular circumstance in their spiritual condition, common to them all as Christians. From the terms in which the exhortation is expressed, it is clear, that VOL. II.-64

the particular circumstance in their spiritual condition, common to them all as Christians, is the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT CONferred at baptism, as the root from which present holiness, or participation of the divine nature, and future glory or eternal life in the kingdom of GoD, must spring, be carried on, and completed. And from the whole, the conclusion is plain and undeniable, that though all rightly baptized persons do receive the gift of the HOLY GHOST, they may, nevertheless, deprive themselves of the benefits thence, and thence only, to be derived; and, by neglect and opposition, weary out the compassion of GoD, and provoke him to withdraw his help and succour.

These inferences from the text are supported by the whole tenour of Scripture, and by the whole structure of Christianity, as the religion of fallen sinners restored to a state of trial, and to be dealt with hereafter according to their improvement or abuse of the things freely given them of GOD. As spiritually dead, they must be spiritually revived and quickened, previously to any just demand from them of religious duty; nor is a state of trial even conceivable of such a creature as man fallen, without this previous interposition of supernatural power. On the other hand, as a state of trial involves both failure and success, and accountable conduct involves freedom of action, the assistance given to mankind, in order to the performance of rewardable duty, is precluded from whatever is necessitating and compulsory. An action being no otherwise moral than as it is free, the influence of the SPIRIT OF GOD upon the hearts and lives of men cannot be divested of this character without cutting up all religion by the roots.

Had this sin-ruined world been allowed to continue to this day without the provision made for its restoration by the undertaking of the Son of GoD, as revealed in the gospel, a state of trial would have been impossible, because nothing but failure could have ensued. In like manner, were it the nature of that divine assistance, which God hath vouchsafed to fallen man in the gift of the HOLY GHOST, that it could not be resisted and defeated, trial would be equally out of the question, and the retributions of justice and judgment, as applied to moral conduct, interdicted and precluded.

That this view of the subject is the only Scriptural and practical one, is confirmed to us both by the letter of Scripture and by the entire structure of the religion we profess, as will be evident from the following considerations:

With the predictions of the Messiah by the prophets, were connected the predictions of a larger as well as a more general outpouring of the HOLY GHOST. The prophet Joel, in particular, was inspired to describe that new dispensation of religion under which a full measure of divine assistance should be bestowed upon men. And it shall come to pass afterward, says the Almighty, that I will pour out my SPIRIT upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophecy; and also upon the servants, and upon the handmaids, in those days will I pour out my SPIRIT. Of this prediction, the day of Pentecost was the exact fulfilment; and the fact, as then witnessed to their senses, formed the argument with which St. Peter reached the hearts of three thousand of his hearers, and converted them to the faith.

On this promise, thus fulfilled, Christianity is constructed. On additional power being conferred to understand and apply the spiritual doctrines of the gospel, men are called upon and exhorted to believe and obey its life-giving precepts. And on their restored competency to receive or reject it, are the awful sanctions of everlasting life or eternal death reserved, to be applied by the righteous judgment of GoD according to the choice they shall now make.

We speak not to merely rational beings, when we warn them to repent and believe the gospel; but we address ourselves to rational beings, furnished by the goodness of GoD with a higher principle than reason, even with such a measure of the SPIRIT OF GOD, as puts life or death, heaven or hell, on their own determination, according to the conditions of the gospel. Nor yet, when we warn sinners to flee from the wrath to come, do we speak to mere machines, upon whose natures an unchangeable necessity is impressed by their Maker; but to moral beings who are restored to freedom of choice, by the regenerating power of the HOLY GHOST, and only as such capable of praise or blame, of reward or punishment. On this ground, our LORD addressed the Jews before, and his apostles the gentiles after,

the day of Pentecost. On this ground, the ministers of CHRIST address themselves to all descriptions of men. To the Heathen and the unbaptized, they propose the gospel and its fuller measure of spiritual succour in the words of St. Peter on the day of Pentecost-Repent and be baptized, every one of you, and ye shall receive the gift of the HOLY GHOST. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. To the baptized, who walk after the course of this world, they address the solemn warning, that they are doing despite to the SPIRIT of grace-that they are accounting the blood of the covenant, wherewith they are sanctified, an unholy thing that they are crucifying, to themselves, afresh, the Son of GOD, and putting him to open shame. They caution them, that GOD hath threatened that his SPIRIT shall not always strive with man—that it would be better for them, never to have known the way of righteousness, than to depart from the holy commandment delivered to them-that, if they quench the SPIRIT, it will be impossible to renew them again to repentance. And, by these commanding motives-by the long suffering of GOD, and the worth of eternity-they exhort all such persons to repent and be converted; to turn from the error of their ways, and to walk in newness of life; to seek the LORD in his pardoning mercy, before their day of grace is expended, and the door barred against them for ever.

And to Christians--to baptized believers, the ministers of CHRIST address those encouraging exhortations, which are derived from so effectual a helper as the HOLY GHOST. GOD worketh in you to will and to do; therefore, work out your own salvation, with fear and trembling. Ye have received, not the spirit which is of the world, but the SPIRIT which is of God; therefore, grow in grace and in the knowledge of the LORD and Saviour JESUS CHRIST. Know ye not that your body is the temple of the HOLY GHOST, which is in you, which ye have of GOD? therefore, glorify GoD in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

Thus do all the obligations of religious duty meet every class and condition of mankind, on the ground of renewed ability imparted by the HOLY GHOST, sent down from heaven to abide with the Church for ever. And thus is it, indeed, that reasonable service which all are commanded to render unto their GoD