weakness in ourselves; and, fecondly, That 1 fufficiency of grace which is to be found in Chrift Jefus. The Spirit was not given by measure unto him;-and this precious oil was poured upon his head, that from thence it might flow down to the remotest skirts of his garments, and be communicated to all the members of his body. Nay, he is, upon all occafions, moft willing and ready to dif pense to his people this ineftimable blessing: None who come to him under a fense of need fhall be fent empty away. And the firft fruits of his grace are a certain pledge and earnest of future glory; for "whatfo

ever is born of God, overcometh the "world." It is not fo much the Chriftian that lives, as Chrift that liveth in him; and because he lives, all who believe in him fhall live alfo. "They are kept," not by their own ftrength, but "by the power of God, "through faith unto falvation."

How completely amiable doth the Lord Jefus appear when viewed in this light! How fafe and happy are they who are vitally united to him! "The young lions "do lack and fuffer hunger; but they that

"fear

"fear the Lord fhall not want any good "thing."-" O fing unto the Lord a new

fong, and his praise in the congregation " of his faints: Let Ifrael rejoice in him "that made and redeemed him; let the ❝ children of Zion be joyful in their King." -These reflections are just and natural: but as I must not stay to enlarge upon all the uses that might be made of this fubject, I shall at prefent confine myfelf to what appears most important and feasonable; namely, a few advices to Chriftians in general, and more especially to thofe who have newly entered upon a religious courfe.—And,

If, I would forewarn you of the oppofition you are likely to meet with in your way heavenward. You have begun a warfare; and " every battle of the warrior is "with confufed noife, and garments rolled "in blood." Corruption Corruption will, no doubt, affail you from within; but I am to warn you of danger from another quarter. We read, that when Jefus was born, "Herod "the King was troubled, and all Jerufalem "with him." In like manner, when Chrift is formed in any heart, all hell is in an upVOL. II. Ff

roar,

roar, and the malignant brood of the old ferpent upon earth will not fail to spit out their venom against that perfon as lavishly as they can. The wicked among whom you live will mock and ridicule you; and it is probable that your former companions in fin will taunt you with past and pardoned faults, (for pardoned they are if you have come to Chrift), and will exert their utmost ftrength and cunning to mar your confidence, if they cannot carry you back into the fame excess of riot with themselves: nay, with hellifh fpite, they may even forge lies to blacken your character, that they may not feem to have fuffered any lofs by your revolt from their All this you have reafon to expect; and I speak of it beforehand, that when it happens, you may not be furprised or difcouraged, as though fome ftrange and unusual thing had befallen you. It is, and always hath been, the lot of God's children; and when you fuffer in this manner, you have the honour to fuffer in the best of causes, and with the best of company. "Marvel not, my brethren, if the "world hate you;" it hated your Lord be

party. All this

fore

fore it hated you, and the fervant is not greater than his master. If ye were of the world, the world would love its own; but because ye are not of the world, and becaufe Chrift hath called you out of the world, upon thefe accounts the world ha"Rejoice, therefore, and be ex"ceeding glad; for great is your reward " in heaven."

teth you.

2rly, Maintain a conftant fenfe of your own weakness. Remember that caution of the Apostle, "Be not high minded, but "fear." You can only work to purpose when you work upon a present strength: the grace you receive to-day will need a fresh supply of grace to revive and actuate it tomorrow; for Chrift always difpenfeth his peculiar gifts in fuch a way as to remind his people of their conftant dependence upon him, and to render them diligent in the use of all the means he hath appointed for promoting the divine life in their fouls.-At the fame time,

3dly, Think honourably of your Lord, in whofe fervice you are engaged. Believe it, whatever Satan may fuggest to the conFf2 trary,

trary, that his heart is kind, and his hand liberal. It is of the highest importance to have juft conceptions of Chrift, and to know what mercy and ftrength are laid up for us in him. Look not fo much to your enemies, as to the Captain of your falvation: fet his promises against their threatening, his omnipotent grace against their impotent malice. Be ye therefore bold and very courageous; victory is infured to you; it is already fown in that new nature you have got; and ere long the Prince of Peace, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, shall bruise Satan underneath your feet, and put that triumphant fong into your mouths, "Now "is come falvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of "his Chrift; for the accufer of our bre"thren is caft down, which accused them "before our God day and night."

4thly, Remember, that all this fufficient grace is only to be obtained by prayer and fupplication: "For this," faith God, "will "I be inquired of by the house of Ifrael to "do it for them." Paul, you fee, befought the Lord thrice before he received the anfwer