“If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. John vii 17.

THE blessed Saviour has here given to his disciples a test, whereby they may try all who set themselves up for prophets, doctors, or dietators, in religion; they are to be tried by their doctrine; and by that he wished to be tried himself. The doctrine of Christ is disputed in this our day, as it was in his day. Observe,

1st. We are in danger of being led astray and deceived, by having doctrines brought to us in God's name which he never taught; and it greatly concerns us to know upon what foundation we build; and unless we closely examine, we may be miserably deceived: 1

John iv. 1.

2d. Who are likely to succeed in their endeavors to ascertain whether the doctrine be of God, or whether the preacher preaches himself—they who do the will of God. And all who do his will are impartial in their inquiries concerning his will; and suffer neither lust nor interest to bias their minds, during their search after TRUTH ; and having discovered the will of God, they resolve by his grace to conform to it: John xiv. 21.

3d. Whence it is that such shall know the truth of Christ's doctrine. Christ has said, "He shall know ;" and that is sufficient; for his word is his bond. He can open their understandings; and all who follow the light they have, may depend upon being kept from all destructive mistakes: Luke xxiv. 45. He that is disposed to admit the rays of divine light, may depend upon being led into all truth; and the truth, if continued in, shall make him free: John viii: 31, 32.

Be careful to do the will of God, and you will assuredly be taught the doctrine of God. Let no one induce you, under a show of holiness, to deny the doctrines of grace. on the one hand, nor suffer the lusts of the flesh to abuse them on the other. Under a lively sense of the mercy and grace of God, make a holy resolve to do his will; and to walk continually before him in the land of the living: Ps. cxvi. 9. Those who resemble God most, are likely to understand him best. Those teachers, and those only, who are sent of God, are to be received by us. By their fruits ye shall know them: Matt. vii. 15-20.

"Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. Isa. xii. 3.

GODLINESS is of a powerful nature upon the soul; it consist not in form and shadow, but in power and substance; not in notions and opinions, but in the real enjoyment of Christ in the heart. Those who attend the ordinances from no better motive, than that they might give a good account of them, talk fluently about them, and contend earnestly for them, are content with this; and feel very well satisfied, if, according to their own views of religion, they have clear heads, they take it for granted that their faith is sound, although it neither works by love, nor purifies the heart: Gal. v. 6. Not so with those who enjoy the life, light, liberty, and power of Christ and his gospel. "Therefore," because the Lord is your God, your Strength, and your Song, and will be your Salvation, "with joy shall ye draw water.” The many assurances God has given of his love to us, and our numerous experiences of the benefit and comfort of his grace, should strengthen our faith in him, and enlarge our expectations from him; for "Out of the wells of salvation" in God, who is the Fountain of all goodness, whatever ye need, whenever ye apply, ye shall draw. Only keep in the channel made by him, and ye shall meet with all the streams of love that flow from him: Jer. xxxi. 9. Observe,

1st. The promises of God revealed, ratified, and given out to us in his ordinances, are wells of salvation.

2d. It is our duty and privilege, to take to ourselves the benefit and comfort that are treasured up in them for us ; and by faith to draw water from thence; seeing all our springs are there, and all our streams from thence: Ps. lxxxvii. 7.

3d. It is with pleasure that we shall draw water; for the will of God is, that we should rejoice before him, and rejoice in him: Deut. xxvi. 11: and always be joyful in the house of prayer: Isa. lxvi. 7: keeping his feasts with gladness Acts ii. 46. Say not, "I am too weak to draw;" for he says, "ye shall draw; "yea, and with joy too. His favor shall flow to you; and ye shall have the comfort of it: Isa. lv. 1. The water is in the wells, ye shall have the comfort of it: Isa. lv. 1.

and

"Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matt. xviii. 20.

SUCH is the love the Saviour bears to his followers, and the encouragement given them, to frequently assemble in his name for Divine worship, that he assures them the smallness of their numbers shall be no obstacle in his way of meeting with them: Exod. xx. 24. Observe,

1st. The duty here prescribed. It is that we “gather" ourselves" together in Christ's name. This is an important obligation; and implies that when we meet for the purpose of divine worship, we should do it with reverence, and godly fear: Ps. lxxxix. 7. We should not carelessly rush into the presence of God; but seek a necessary preparation of heart: Prov. xvi. 1: and go with a desire to do and get good: Eccl. v. 1, 2: that we may be prepared to receive the communications of his

grace: Ps. xxvii. 4. We cannot approach God in our

own names, because we are sinners, and enemies to him by wicked works: Rom. viii. 7, 8; nor in any other name under heaven, than that of JESUS; Acts iv. 12: but through him we have a new and living way opened to the Father of all our mercies: John xiv. 6. Neither will any worship be acceptable to God, but that which is sincere and spiritual: John iv. 24. Let us, then, worship him in the spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, andhave no confidence in the flesh: Rom, viii. 26, 27.

2d. The instructions suggested. The Saviour declares himself to be "in the midst" of all his assemblies, however numerous, and in any and every part of the world at the same time, which proves him to be omnipresent Matt. xxviii. 20. That religious ordinances. are of divine origin, is evident, from the institution and design of the Sabbath: Gen. ii. 3. - The positive injunc tions of the moral law: Exod. xx. 8—11. The Mosaic dispensation of ceremonies: Deut. xvi. 16. The testimonies and examples of the patriarchs and prophets : Ps. lxxxiv. 2-4. The examples of Christ in the days of his flesh Luke iv. 16; and the practice of the primitive christians: Acts xx, 7. "Where," whether in a palace, or in a barn; in a temple, or in the field; whenever, wherever, and whoever, gather together in the name of Christ, have him in their midst.

"Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols?" Hos xiv. 8.

THESE words are a part of a sweet dialogue between the Lord and Ephraim; which signifies growing. The Lord had just before said, "I will be as the dew unto Israel. " Now see the effects of this grace. Ephraim says, "What have I to do any more with idols." Get ye hence, cursed idols, my vile lusts; and that vain idol, the work of my hands; and my own righteousness. I abhor the former, and disclaim the latter; for now I find my Lord is mine, and I am his. One who has truly repented of his sins, is one who has quarrelled with his sins; and such is the hatred he has to sin, whenever it presents itself, he starts back and cries, "What have I to do any more with idols?" Nothing shall again divide my heart. How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? Gen xxxix. 9. Ephraim had joined himself to idols: Hos. iv. 17: and the Lord intended to give him such a surfeit of sin, that he should forever disown it. So that, you see it is the Lord becomes surety for his servant. Ephraim shall say," &c. The desire of God is, that sinners should repent and turn to him: Ezek. xiv. 6. If he hears but a sigh from the penitent heart, he is pleased with it: Jer. viii. 6. The Lord hates nothing but sin. He sent his Son to make an end of sins, lest sins should make an end of us: Dan. ix. 24. We have nothing to dread but sin. Sin strikes at God's holiness, and our happinsss; we should, therefore, keep up a constant and universal war against all sorts of sins. Remember, une sin threw down a righteous Noah; another, a faithful Abraham; another, the meek Moses; another, was too strong for Sampson; another, overcame pious David; another, the wise Solomon; another, cast down Paul; another, knocked down the champion Peter; and all together crucified the Son of God. The more you know of God's greatness, the more you will see of sin's vileness: Rom.

vii. 13.

Be not discouraged, because you have so formidable a foe to contend with; for as is your day so is your strength. The grace of God is always sufficient: 2 Cor. xii. 9.

"Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.' Gal. v. 16.

As every renewed soul loves to enjoy spiritual and heavenly objects, so the unrenewed part, or the flesh, lusts after those things which it is naturally conversant with, and from which it derives its happiness. This is the Christian's conflict; and hence the necessity of watching and praying: Matt. xxvi. 41. And well would it be for all who name the name of Christ, if, instead of rising up one party against another, they would all unite against the one common foe, SIN: Ps. cxxxiii. Every renewed man finds a struggle between the old nature and the new nature, between the remainders of sin and the beginnings of grace; and in this conflict it is our duty and interest to side with our convictions against our corruptions. We are here told,

1st. The course to be pursued. "Walk in the Spirit," by which ye are sanctified and renewed: 1 Cor. vi. 11: that condescends to dwell in your heart: Rom. viii. 9: and assists you in the discharge of all your duties: Rom. viii. 26. Walk under the guidance, and influence of the Holy Spirit: John xvi. 13. You, no doubt, feel that the flesh is warring against the spirit, or that gracious, holy influence implanted in your heart by the Holy Spirit; but this should not discourage you; for it is positive proof that the spirit is warring against the flesh: Rom. vii. 22, 23. Your feeling sin living in you, is no proof you are living in sin. Ask of God, and he will give you his Holy Spirit, to enable you to mortify every sin Luke xi. 13.

:

2d. The happy result will be," Ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." Alas! what woeful work the fulfilling the lust of the flesh hath made, even among the most eminent saints. The conceptions of lust are the productions of sin: James i. 15. The commission of sin loads the conscience with guilt; and brings sickness and death to the soul. Hence, the many alarming symptoms attendant on contracted guilt; the lashes of conscience, the terrors of the law, distance from God, dejection of soul, coolness of affection to Jesus, backwardness to duty, neglect of a throne of grace, legal fears, and bitterness of spirit.