will pray the Father, and he shall send you another Comforter:" so that, while we trace back our redemption to the Father's love, we ascribe it also to the mediation of the Son.

The third Person in the ever-blessed Trinity also bears his part in this glorious work: we shall proceed therefore to set before you,

III. The efficient cause of our redemption

As our salvation is not procured by our own merit, so neither is it effected by our own power: the text informs us, that we are "saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost." The washing of regeneration may here refer to the rite of baptism, whereby we are introduced into the visible Church; and the renewing of the Holy Ghost, to the internal change by which we are made real members of Christ's body; or, they may both mean the same thing, the latter being explanatory of the former; and this I rather suppose to be the true meaning, because they are both put in opposition to the works of righteousness done by us: but, whichever it be, the Holy Ghost is here declared to be the only efficient cause of our salvation. It is He who regenerates us, and makes us partakers of the Divine nature: we are of ourselves dead, and therefore cannot restore ourselves to life: we have only an earthly and carnal nature, and therefore cannot perform the operations of an heavenly and spiritual nature this is effected only by "the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." We cannot of ourselves secure an interest in Christ, or discern the excellency of those things which he has purchased for us by his blood. We are told, that "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, nor can know them, because they are spiritually discerned:" It is the Spirit's office to reveal them to us. Our Lord says, "I will send you the Holy Ghost, and he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you." So neither can we feel the kindness and love of God the Father, unless it be shed

abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost given unto us. Thus we shall remain ignorant of the Father's love, and uninterested in the mediation of the Son; yea, we shall continue dead in trespasses and sins, if the Holy Ghost do not work effectually in us. Notwithstanding all that the Father and the Son have done for us, we must eternally perish, if we be not renewed and sanctified by the influences of the Blessed Spirit. No resolutions or endeavours of our own will effect the work: nothing less than a divine power is sufficient for it: we must therefore experience the agency of the Holy Ghost on our own hearts, or remain for ever destitute of the salvation provided for us.

Under the law, whatever good appeared in the saints of God, was wrought in them by the Holy Spirit. But they received the Spirit in so small a measure, in comparison of what is vouchsafed to us under the Christian dispensation, that He can scarcely be said to have been given at all till after our Lord's ascension. The Evangelist says, that "the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified" but from the time of that first effusion of the Holy Ghost, even to this present day, the Holy Ghost has been poured out abundantly, or richly, as the original word means, upon the Christian Church : so that not a few only may expect to feel his influences, but all; even all that will ask for them in Jesus' name.

IV. We come now, in the last place, to speak of the final cause of our redemption

The final cause is the end; and, after having seen how the Sacred Three are engaged, we are naturally led to inquire, What is the end proposed? What is it which these Divine Persons intend to accomplish? The text furnishes us with a full and sufficient answer. It tells us, that the final cause for which such wonderful provision has been made, is, that man may be saved; or, in the express words of the text, "that, being justified by faith, we may be made heirs according to

the hope of eternal life." The justification of sinful man was a concern so dear to God, that he gave his only-begotten Son in order to effect it; and so precious were our souls in the sight of Christ, that he willingly laid down his life for them. The Holy Spirit also cheerfully undertook his part in the economy of redemption. But it was a free justification, i.e. a justification by mere grace, that each Person of the Trinity had in view; they would cut off most effectually all boasting on the part of man, and reserve the whole glory to God alone. They have therefore freely offered it from first to last. The Father freely provided, the Son freely executed, and the Spirit freely applies, that salvation. Nor is it merely our justification, but our glorification also, which has been provided for. The Scriptures promise us eternal life, and encourage us to hope for it. They set it forth as an inheritance to which we are constituted heirs and that, as heirs, we may in due time take possession of it, was the united design of the Three Persons in the Godhead. How astonishing that such an end should ever be proposed, and that such wonderful things should ever be done for the accomplishment of it! Well may we admire the kindness and love of God! well may we stand amazed at the condescension and compassion of the Son! and well may we burst forth into praises and thanksgivings for the grace and goodness of the Blessed Spirit! and indeed, "if we can hold our peace, surely the very stones will cry out against us." We shall now CONCLUDE with a few inferences from what has been said.

And,

1. We may see how secure is the salvation of every believer

The Three Persons in the Trinity are engaged to each other, as well as unto us. The Father gave his elect to Christ, on condition that he would make his soul an offering for them: and Christ laid down his life, on condition that the Spirit might be sent down into their hearts, to make them meet for his

glory. Now we are sure that Christ died for those who were given to him; and that the Holy Ghost will renew and sanctify those for whom Christ died. The only question that can arise is this; Has the Father loved me, and has Christ died for me? To this I answer, We cannot look into the book of God's decrees, and therefore we can only judge by what is already manifest. Are we regenerated and renewed by the Holy Ghost? if we are, we may be sure that whatever is needful shall be done for us. All that is required of us is, to wait upon God for fresh supplies of his Spirit; and to yield ourselves to the government of that Divine Agent. We then need not fear either men or devils: for none shall pluck us out of the Redeemer's hands; nor shall we have any temptation without a way to escape, that we may be able to bear it. If, however, we have not yet an evidence that we are regenerate, we must not hastily conclude that there is no salvation for us; for all the elect of God were once unregenerate, but in due time were begotten by the Spirit to a lively hope: so that we must still go to God for the gift of his Spirit, and for an interest in Christ: nor will he refuse the petition of any who call upon him in sincerity and truth. But if we have a good hope that we have believed in Christ, then let us rejoice in our security; for, Has the Father shewn such proofs of his eternal love in vain? Has the Son laid down his life for nought? Has the Spirit undertaken such a work, without ability to accomplish it? And is the salvation of our souls the grand end which each of these Divine Persons has had in view, and shall we at last be left to perish? Be of good courage, brethren! and rest persuaded, with the Apostle of old, that "none shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

2. We may see from hence, how great must be the condemnation of those who continue in unbelief

If we reflect a moment upon the most astonishing provision which is made for us in the Gospel, and

the dignity of the Persons concerned for our welfare, we cannot but exclaim with the Apostle, "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" Surely, to despise the kindness and love of God our Father, will greatly aggravate our guilt: to trample on the blood of a dying Saviour, will add tenfold malignity to all our other sins: and to do despite to the Spirit of grace, will render our state hopeless, and inconceivably dreadful. Yet such is the state of all who reject the offers of the Gospel. As for the heathen, I had almost said, they are innocent in comparison of those who live and die unregenerate in a Christian land. O, my brethren, beware how you bring such aggravated condemnation upon your own souls! St. Paul expressly cautions you respecting this: he says, "He that despised Moses's law died without mercy: of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant an unholy thing, and hath done despite to the Spirit of grace?" Beware, therefore, lest ye lose this day of grace, and, like the foolish virgins, be shut out from the marriage-supper. Blessed be God, there are none excluded from the Gospel offer: we are commanded to preach it to every creature; and to assure you, that, if you will return to God, there is a way of access opened for you, and that you may at this instant come to him through the Son, and by the Spirit. If therefore you now desire mercy, beg the Holy Spirit to guide you unto Christ; and entreat the Lord Jesus Christ to introduce you to the Father. Nor need you doubt for one moment but that in this way you shall be partakers of everlasting salvation: though you are now dead, and doomed to everlasting death, you shall have spiritual and eternal life: though you are now hopeless, you shall be begotten to a lively hope: and though you are now strangers and foreigners, you shall be heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.

Lastly; we see what obligations lie upon every professor of religion to abound in good works. The