in Chrift Jefus and what words can import a fufficiency of grace, if these do not? But may we hope that this grace fhall be imparted to us? Yes, we may. For, in the

2d place, The Scriptures affure us, that all this grace is treasured up in Chrift for the behoof of his people. I need not mention particular paffages of Scripture for the proof of this, feeing it evidently appears from the whole strain of divine revelation, where Christ is uniformly reprefented as a public perfon, fustaining the character of Mediator' ór Surety, living and dying, not for himfelf, but for the fake of thofe whom the Father had given him. Hence he is called the head, and believers are ftyled the members of his body. He is compared to the vine; and, in a fuitableness to this figurative representation, believers are denominated branches which grow out of this vine, and derive all their fap and nourishment from it. That remarkable prophecy of Ifaiah, chap. Ixi. 1.-3. which our Lord applied to himself in the fynagogue at Nazareth, is a clear and ftrong confirmation of this

truth:

truth: "The Spirit of the Lord God is

66

up

" on me, becaufe the Lord hath anointed 66 me to preach good tidings unto the meek; " he hath fent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the cap"tives, and the opening of the prison to "them that are bound;-to appoint unto "them that mourn in Zion, to give unto "them beauty for afhes, the oil of joy for "mourning, the garment of praise for the

fpirit of heavinefs; that they might be "called trees of righteoufnefs, the planting "of the Lord, that he might be glorified." Here is a plain declaration, that Chrift was anointed, and filled with the Spirit, for this very end, that he might dispense to his people those fupplies of grace which their various cafes and neceffities might require. We are further affured,

3dly, That Chrift, upon all occafions, is willing and ready to impart his grace unto them according to their need. Ignorance of this keeps many Christians in a languishing dejected state. Though they know,

that the fulness of the Godhead dwelleth in Christ, and that all grace is treasured up in

him for the benefit of his people, they are nevertheless haunted with fears and jealoufies about his willingness to communicate this treasure to them. Thefe partly arise from the fenfe of their own unworthinefs, and partly from the misrepresentations of Satan, the great adverfary, who doth every thing in his power to cherish and strengthen thofe evil furmifings which keep finners at a distance from the fountain of mercy, and drive them away from that Almighty Saviour, upon whom their help is laid. But, bleffed be God! the Scriptures furnish us with arguments more than fufficient to refute all the fuggeftions of Satan upon this head. The good will of our Lord fhines · with fuch glory in every page of this facred book, that there can remain no rational ground to doubt of it: "In the last day, "that great day of the feaft, Jefus ftood, "and cried, faying, If any man thirst, let "him come unto me, and drink. He that "believeth on me, out of his belly fhall flow "rivers of living water. This," adds the Evangelift, "fpake he of the Spirit, which

they that believe on him fhould receive,"

John

John vii. 37. 38. 39. He is represented in the book of the Revelation, as standing at the door, and knocking, with these gracious words in his mouth, “If any man will hear

my voice, and open the door, I will come “in to him, and sup with him, and he with " me." How fweet is his name, Jefus, a Saviour! how endearing the relations he ftands in to his people, as their Shepherd, and Friend, their Husband, their Brother? Was he not tempted, that he might fuccour those who are tempted? And can we have any reafon to question his love to us, who became flesh of our flesh, and bore our griefs, for this very end, that he might be gracious? Nay, we may appeal to facts for the proof of this doctrine. All the ranfomed around the throne, who overcame by the blood and Spirit of the Lamb, give testimony to this great and important truth: and I trust there are many thousands upon earth, who, with humble gratitude and joy, can attest the same; and say with the Apostle John, "Of his fulness have all we received, "and grace for grace." More might be faid upon this head; but you have heard

enough,

enough, to fhow, that believers in Chrift have all poffible encouragement to come boldly to a throne of grace, in the affured. hope that they shall obtain mercy, and find grace to help them in every time of need. -And therefore I fhall only add,

4thly, That this grace of Christ, when once obtained, shall infallibly prove victorious, and finally prevail against all oppofition. He who is the author, is likewife the finisher of his people's faith; for "his gifts "and calling are without repentance." "He will not break the bruifed reed, nor

quench the fmoking flax, till he bring "forth judgement unto victory." Grace, though a small rivulet in appearance, is fed with an everlasting spring. Where the Lord Jefus begins a good work, he will carry it on to perfection, and never leave the objects of his love till he hath made them like himself, all glorious both within and without, and prefented them to his Father without spot and blemish.

THUS have I laid before you two important points of Christian doctrine; first, Qur weakness