affection; paternal kindness may be wearied out by repeated provocations; and often a father must greatly deny himself, while he supplies the wants of his children: yet so strong are the feelings of a parent, that depraved as men are, few can bear to see their children in distress, without relieving them: "How much then more will your heavenly "Father give his Holy Spirit to them that ask "him!" Our LORD illustrates his meaning in this promise, by his address to the woman of Samaria, at that time an immoral character: "If thou "hadst known the gift of GOD, and who it is that "said unto thee, give me to drink; thou wouldst "have asked, and he would have given thee living "water." Had she asked he would have given; and when she was further instructed, no doubt she asked and received. His words in another place further explain his meaning; as well as prove, when compared with the text, that "He

and the Father are one." "If any man thirst, "let him come unto me and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, Out "of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. "But this he spake of the Spirit, which they "that belive on him should receive." And again he saith, "Let him that is athirst come, and whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely."-" How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity, and scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn

you at my reproof; I will pour out my Spirit. "unto you."

This then is the promise, and these are the persons, who are instructed and invited to come and ask that they may have it fulfilled unto them. And what could the largest promises, which the greatest of men could make you, (even if to be depended on,) avail you, compared with this "exceeding great and precious promise" of "GOD our "Saviour?"

Conceive of a man most guilty, most depraved, most enslaved to bad habits, sunk in the grossest ignorance, or entangled in the most dangerous delusions, and under the greatest terrors and sufferings: yet suppose him to hear, and lay hold of, and plead, this promise, as one in earnest, and ready to follow the dictates of his conscience, as far as convinced, and, according to the evident doctrine of Scripture, which has been set before you; he would certainly be brought to repentance, to the knowledge of CHRIST and faith in him; to hope, rejoice, love, obey, and worship in spirit and truth; and at length to join the worshippers before the throne of God, in their exalted adorations, and ineffable felicity!

II. Then let us consider the suitableness of this promise to our condition, and the state of things in this evil world.

Considered without the gospel, in what a deplorable

condition are all mankind! We scarcely need look into the Bible to ascertain this, if we attend properly to what passes around and within us. What a strange aversion do we see in others, and feel in ourselves, to the worship and service of GOD, which, it is highly reasonable to conclude, constitute the felicity of heaven!-How constantly, and almost universally, has the grossest idolatry, the most absurd superstition, or the wildest enthusiasm, obtained the preference to the holy character, worship, commandments, and doctrines of the one living and true GOD! How generally has irreligion, or antiscriptural religion, prevailed on earth! How powerful the propensity in mankind to idolize the the world and the things of the world; and to forget and neglect the GoD of heaven! "The carnal "mind is enmity against GoD; for it is not sub"ject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.” Who can help seeing, yea, feeling, that this is man's real character?

It is equally evident he is proud of his reasoning faculties, and of all the gifts which God hath bestowed on him; of his imagined virtues, nay, of his evident vices, and of such things as should cover him with shame. He is manifestly self-willed and self-sufficient, unwilling to be taught or governed by his Creator. He is averse to submission and dependence, and backward to gratitude and adoration. In short, ungodliness is his undeniable character.

He is also most evidently selfish; and this either leads him to avarice, ambition, or inordinate animal indulgence, so that "the lust of the flesh, "the lust of the eye, and the pride of life," the objects we all expressly renounce in baptism, are so universally and idolatrously coveted and pursued, even by nominal Christians, that an unconcerned spectator must suppose they had, by a solemn vow, devoted themselves to them!

The frauds, oppressions, cruelties, licentiousness, and bloody wars, which have, in every age and nation, plagued and desolated the earth, are such enormous and horrid evils; that, if not accustomed to the scene around us, and so, less susceptible of the impressions it would otherwise make, we should be ready to suppose that the actors in the dreadful tragedy were broken loose from the infernal regions! Human beings, in immense multitudes, deliberately preparing to meet, and actually meeting, on purpose to destroy each other, by tens of thousands! Others, growing rich, and rioting in luxury, by trafficking in the groans and blood of their brethren! Others indulging their animal inclinations, not only by sacrificing the peace, comfort, lives, and souls of their fellow-creatures, but even their own also; though far from being insensible of the consequences of their licentiousness!

But does happiness consist in loving GoD, and enjoying his favour, and in loving one another

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and rejoicing in the felicity of all around us? What then is the state of the world? Can the suits and dispositions, here described, be conducive to happiness? Can malice, envy, or any corrupt passion? What must be man's prospect after death, if he retain his present evil propensities? What can even the gospel do for him, if his nature be not changed? To render men happy, and blessings to each other, they must be made holy. The need of an atonement and a Redeemer, is not greater and more urgent, than that of a Sanctifier; one who can renovate depraved nature, restore and perfect spiritual life, and prepare fallen man for a holy felicity. In this light, brethren, contemplate the promise before us; and ask yourselves if it be not exactly answerable to our condition and our wants?

Again, various plans have been formed, from age to age, in order to meliorate the state of society, and bring nations to amity and friendship; and some of these plans have done a measure of good, though vastly inadequate to the expectations previously conceived: but others have exceedingly enhanced the mischief they were intended to counteract. None, however, have yet been devised, which could effect the purpose, or reach the sources of the evil. None of them can bring men to love God supremely, and to love their neighbours as themselves: nor will any effectual remedy be found, "until the Spirit shall be poured