and SAVIOUR; and for the neglect of which, as there can be no reasonable excuse offered, so neither can there be any rational hope of escaping the vengeance threatened against all those who carelessly neglect to stir up the gift that is in them, and by continuing in sin, quench the SPIRIT, and drive him from them for ever. And very remarkable it is, my brethren, and well worthy your most serious consideration, that, as the renewal of the HOLY GHOST in fallen men is the foundation of all religious requirement from them; so is the assurance that we possess this gift of grace, exclusively referred to our baptism. From the obligations entered into, and the promises made and sealed, in this sacrament, all Christian instruction, exhortation, and hope, takes its rise; and this so strictly, that there is not an example of Christian duty required, or of Christian hope given, except of and to baptized persons. The first word of this salvation addressed to mankind, is, Repent, and believe the gospel, for God hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness. Now the gospel declares, that except a man be born of water and of the SPIRIT, he cannot see the kingdom of GOD. The gospel, therefore, being set up in the world, and its administration commenced, the next command is, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of JESUS CHRIST, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the HOLY GHOST. And this command being obeyed, a new state a new relation to GOD, commences; to which are given exceeding great and precious promises, both for the life that now is, and for that which is to come; and in which, the SPIRIT OF GOD is the root from which all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed. We are baptized in the name of the Father; for the adoption of sons and daughters of the most high GOD--Because ye are sons, GOD hath sent forth the SPIRIT of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father; wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through CHRIST. We are baptized in the name of the Son, for the atonement made for sin by his death upon the cross-Know ye not, that so many of us, as were baptized into JESUS CHRIST were baptized into his death? In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Blot

ting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us; and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. We are baptized in the name of the HOLY GHOST; for the renewal of spiritual life in our souls, and for the resurrection of our inortal bodies from the dead. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us; by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the HOLY GHOST. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his SPIRIT. But if the SPIRIT of Him that raised up JESUS from the dead, dwell in you, he that raised up CHRIST from the dead, shall also quicken your mortal bodies, by his SPIRIT that dwelleth in you.

And now, my brethren and hearers, we are prepared to understand and apply the exhortation of my text, and to perceive and feel the infinite importance of the obligations we have come under in our baptismal dedication to GOD; and the unspeakable value of the heavenly privileges thereby conferred upon us.

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

And, first, to baptized persons, who yet proceed no farther in the Christian life.

Of such it may with truth be affirmed, that their whole course betrays such a disregard for the salvation wrought out for them by the sufferings of CHRIST, such an indifference to the means of grace, and such a preference for the world, as amounts fully to the guilt included in the expression of grieving the HOLY For what can be more grievous and distressing to an affectionate and generous friend, than to find all his exertions for our welfare defeated by carelessness, or contempt, or perverse opposition? What estimate should we form of the heir to a princely estate, who was amply furnished by the owner with every appointment suitable to his condition and expectations, and yet estranged himself from his benefactor, despised his admonitions, and abused and prostituted his bounty? Would you hesitate to pronounce such an one ungrateful, unworthy, and justly liable to the forfeiture of present advantages, and of the future inheritance? Yet, just as surely as this judgment is the answer of

every soul that now hears me, is it the condemnation of every baptized person who neglects the obligations and rejects the privileges of his covenanted relation to GOD; and by how much the longer time this disregard has been continued, by so much the greater is the offence and the danger attending it.

But, not only by general disregard of religion is the HOLY GHOST grieved and despited. Every neglect of his good motions in our hearts-every conviction of reason and conscience on the subject of religion, either resisted or put off to a more convenient season, is in a more especial manner a grieving of the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD. For, as every conviction of wrong, and every excitement to what is good, springs from his holy influences within us; if these are treated with contempt, or disregarded in operation, or opposed in conduct-as in an earthly friend and benefactor it would produce concern, regret, sorrow, and indignation, proportioned to the circumstances of the case-in like manner is our heavenly friend and benefactor grieved and distressed at the wilful and obstinate neglect of his help and counsel by those who are committed to his sole guidance for the attainment of eternal life, through the strait and narrow way of holiness.

To take for granted, as too many, alas! do, that only by out-breaking sin and profligate wickedness we grieve the HOLY SPIRIT, is a most fatal mistake. Such a course as this not only grieves, but, if persisted in, quenches and drives away the only help provided for our conversion and sanctification. But the same consequence is no less certain to the more orderly and moral, who advance no farther in the cultivation of religion than external respect for its forms. As the HOLY SPIRIT will not dwell with the soul polluted with sin, so neither will he always continue to strive with those who neglect to stir up the gift that is in them. The outbreaking sinner may be abandoned earlier by the SPIRIT OF GOD, but not more certainly than the careless neglecter of his gracious motions in the heart, whether these shall be produced by the secret suggestions of thought and meditation, or by the more direct convictions of the conscience from the word of God. To resist them-to put them off till to-morrow-to stifle and drown them in the cares and dissipations

of the world, is just as effectual to drive the HOLY GHOST from his temple, as a course of open and actual sin. For, the manifestation of the SPIRIT is given to every man to profit withal. It is the rich talent of heaven's grace which must be improved or forfeited; and when finally removed can never be restored.

Secondly, to professing Christians.

That by such the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD may be grieved and offended, the text gives us sufficient warning, my brethren, for the exhortation is addressed exclusively to them.

Greatly, therefore, are we concerned to watch against every approach to what may incur this guilt, for it is by small inroads that the enemy of souls gains his advantage over the believer. Whatever, then, has a tendency to impair the influence of religion in our own hearts, is calculated to grieve the HOLY SPIRIT. Of this description is all over-engagement with the business of the world; all unlawful conformity with its customs and ways. Whenever, therefore, these are allowed to interfere with our religious duties, whether public or private; when they occupy that portion of our thoughts which was once given freely to God; when they render seasons of devout retirement wearisome and dull; when these seasons are observed rather from duty than delight; when our spirit is more lively in the world than when retired with God; then may we well take the alarm that we have declined from our first love-that in something we have grieved the good SPIRIT, and apply ourselves earnestly and faithfully to regain his blessed presence. And, as this presence is no otherwise to be known by us than by the fruits of the SPIRIT in our lives, fervency and frequency in prayer, diligence and engagement in all our duties, with increasing love to God, form the true standard by which to determine it; and as these are in us, and abound, may we rejoice in his holy comfort, or, with strong crying and tears, deplore the sin which hath driven him from us, and implore his return. As the condition on which we receive this gift of the HOLY SPIRIT, and all the other mercies of GOD, is improvement and the promise is sure, that unto him that hath, shall be given-growth in grace is not only a duty, but a test, to which to bring our spiritual condition; and, according as honest self-examination shall enable us to ascertain advance

ment or decline in the divine life, may we conclude that we grieve or gratify the HOLY SPIRIT.

That the exhortation of my text as applied to professing Christians, is to be referred rather to their private and personal condition, than to their public and visible subjection to the gospel, must be evident from the consideration that it is not against open and palpable sin, as grieving the HOLY GHOST, that they are exhorted. This would have vacated their claim altogether to be considered as Christians. It therefore refers to that more private, less discernible, but equally if not more efficacious determination of spiritual condition, which is evidenced by this the presiding principle of personal religion-by what is more particularly between GoD and our own souls, the hidden man of the heart. It will, indeed, show itself outwardly in the observance of all the commandments and ordinances of the LORD; but it will not be satisfied with this: it will look, and it will strive for that consolation and joy in the HOLY GHOST, which is the sure fruit of sincere private devotion, and public profession of the faith of the gospel.

Where these unite, Christians are an epistle of CHRIST, to be read of all men. They adorn the doctrine of GOD their Saviour, and promote the glory of GoD in the advancement of religion in the world. They fulfil their high calling. They walk in the SPIRIT. The SPIRIT OF GOD witnesseth with their spirit, that they are the children of God. They grow in grace until ripe for glory. They pass to that immortality of blessedness of which the seal of the SPIRIT, impressed at baptism, is the earnest, and of which no power can divest them but their own personal guilt in grieving the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, and doing despite to the SPIRIT of grace.

And may God grant that this feeble attempt to instruct and warn, be accompanied with that blessing which shall make it a word in season to those who are present; that his glorious name may be exalted, not only by our professed subjection to the gospel, but by those fruits of righteousness which are by JESUS CHRIST to the praise and glory of God.

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