He does not merely speak well, but strives to live. well;-to live well, both spiritually and practically. And,

2. I observe, that we ought never to lower Scripture to our dull reason, but to rise into its own pure spirituality. Because the sacred Volume uses figures, we are not to regard them as mere figures; but we are rather to consider, that every figure contains or describes some spiritual fact which it is of the utmost importance that we should rightly understand. The Holy Spirit selected no images in setting forth the great things of the spiritual world merely to please and amuse us : His design was to instruct us in the mysteries of that world after a manner most calculated to promote our benefit, by leading us to the consideration of them through the medium of familiar objects. When we speak of union with Christ, we speak of a high matter, connected with a far brighter glory than we can comprehend at present: the full understanding of it by any of us remains for a future state. But, darklings as we are, and as we must be, with regard to this matter, and with regard to a thousand others, it is our duty, not to slumber in our indolence, but to search the Scriptures, and to pray for enlightened minds, in order that we may enter as much as possible into the spirituality, and rise into the majesty of divine truth. Although we do not know fully the union between Christ and His mystical body, and how He dwells in each of its members, yet we do know that such a union and indwelling subsist; and we daily pray for the full experience of them ;-"Be it unto

Thy servants, O Lord, according to Thy word: O dwell in us; and may we abide in Thee." And,

3. I remark, that in this doctrine we see the goodness of God and the glory and excellence of Christianity. Having the Gospel before me, do I deplore the remoteness of spiritual things, and the distance between God and Man? I shall act far more justly if I see, and admire, and rejoice in the nearness of the spiritual world, and in the intimacy that exists between God and Man. Here is the glory of Christianity;-it brings God and Man together; it reveals Jehovah as dwelling in the hearts of His people. Where God is, glory is: and as God dwells in the heart of man, there is glory in every heart in which He dwells. O that every eye could see it! O that every Christian duly considered and rightly understood this matter! How worthy of all acceptation is the Gospel of Christ! How full ought we to be of awe and delight and satisfaction and triumph, when we think of the alliance between heaven and earth! And,

4. I observe, that this doctrine is a powerful motive to the cultivation of holiness both in heart and conduct. "What! know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." Every true Christian is a temple in which Christ dwells by His spirit, and, as such, he is consecrated to God. And shall he defile that temple; shall he fill it with idols; shall he pollute it by sinful indulgence, evil

affections, corrupt words, and wicked actions? If he be guilty of such offence, he may be assured that the temple will be quickly forsaken by its divine inhabitant, and that his spiritual condition will be deplorable. Think of Christ in you; and you will be watchful and diligent in guarding against sin and in cultivating holiness. Lastly,

5. I would remark, that the great point is-to seek the full experience of this doctrine, and to live in agreement with it. Our loftiest speculations about the subject are only the mere vapourings of the mind. unless we turn them to practical account; unless we bring them to bear upon our hearts and conduct. We all look forward to heaven; to a blessed eternity in the presence of God. But if this shall be our portion, there must be a fellowship between God and us while we are on earth. If Man shall be happy with God for ever, God must be in Man here. It becomes us, therefore, to pray that, by the influence of the Holy Ghost, we may be of the number of those in whose hearts Christ dwells by faith. It is important, indeed, that we should have right notions of the doctrine: but let us not satisfy ourselves with notions, or with imaginations and feelings; but let us bring ourselves in all respects to a practical test. If Christ be in our hearts, the whole of our conversation in the world will be Christian; that is, we shall walk in the Spirit and abound in the fruits of the Spirit. We shall leave debate and crude and specious profession to others; and our daily prayer will be to this effect;-" O blessed Jesus, look on us, as Thou didst on Peter,

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with the eye of pity: give us that repentance which will lead us to renounce every sin and every idol: give us that faith by which we shall receive Thee into our hearts: and so dwell in us here, that we may dwell with Thee for ever." May we thus lay the subject to heart, and duly improve it, to the glory of God, and to the salvation of our souls!

SERMON IV.

LOVE.

EPHESIANS iii. 17, 18, 19, part.

"That ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge."

WE say what is true, when we say that Christianity is a religion of knowledge; a religion of principles; a religion of action. We say what is true, when we say that, with regard to principles, "now abideth faith, hope, charity, (or love,) these three; but the greatest of these is charity," or love. With respect to faith and love, we find them very frequently united in Scripture. "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love." "Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." "Remembering without ceasing, your work of faith, and labour of love." "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love, which is in Christ