his people, and as propitiated through Christ's finished work. The law of the spirit of life, because it is the new principle of governing power in all who are united to Christ, according to what has been shewn of Rom. vii. 4, 6. being that vigorous and holy principle which is continually bringing forth fruit unto God, not in the oldness of the letter, but in newness of the spirit. To believers, thus prepared, united, taught, and quickened, obedience becomes an existence. It is as the compliance of the members of the body with the volitions of the mind, being a law of action in the new creature, and so prompt, immediate, and instinctive, as the apostle shews by the experience of his own soul, recorded in Gal. ii. 20.

In an obedience of this description there is peculiar delight, for it is attended with a sense of power to obey, so as to raise the soul above the depression of fears and doubts. A privilege which is singularly precious when duties are arduous, and obedience conducts us into situations of affliction of body or mind. It is a sustaining thought that grace shall be equal to our day; that sin shall not have the dominion; that even if called to seal our witness by death, "behold we live," having an existence which no enemy can approach, and an eternal rest to which death shall introduce the soul. These are assurances which arise out of blessed certainty of our union with the Lord. There is also in this obedience a pure delight, arising out of sincere love

of the authority and appreciation of the precept. And there is a provision also for abiding peace, even in circumstances where this privilege must be lost, were it not for a persuasion that as united to Christ, no enemy can destroy us; and that even in those most lamentable times when we groan under the influence of corruption, or bewail our inconsistencies and shortcomings, we still possess the living source of life and love, who will arise to our help and complete our deliverance. It is in these views that the believer exclaims, "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy; when I fall I shall arise, when I sit in darkness the Lord shall be a light unto me." Micah vii. 8. And it is hence that he obtains envigorating motives again and again, to contend for the prize.

Thus it will be evident that such an one glorifies the Lord, by a holy consistency of principle and practice with his relation to Christ as his realized Lord and Portion; and that he is one of those favoured souls in whom God's grace and name are magnified. Gal. i. 24.

Let us endeavour to ascertain whether we have these visible distinctions; it is of eternal moment, and should be considered by each of us, individually, as a point on which a humble solicitude should be exercised. By examination of God's word respecting the experience of one who is sensibly united to Christ, we shall without difficulty be enabled, not only to determine whe

ther we may lay claim to the blessing of saying, "I am my beloved's, and his desire is towards me," but whether we may advance into the further stage of privilege also, and add, that the life which we now live in the flesh is by the faith of the Son of God. Surely we cannot complain of any obstacle to the discovery of our real state before God, when we have such multiplied testimonies so explanatory of the experience and disposition of the Lord's children. On the present occasion, for instance, we are assisted, and have only to compare what we have read with the course we are pursuing, in order to decide the question. It is an undoubted fact that the disciples of Jesus follow him whithersoever he goeth. Rev. xiv. 4, 5. Have we this inward impelling law of love? Is it a law which is gladly accepted as a delightful obligation, as a service in which is perfect freedom, not with a tardy and reluctant disposition, but a cheerful readiness to every counsel that we believe to be of God? If so, we have a joyful manifestation of the Spirit's grace, in which we do well to exult, seeing that it is hereby he decketh us with ornaments, and supplies us with lasting principles unto holiness. And we shall also do well as possessed of such distinctions, to stir up the spiritual gift that is in us. There is no other spring of peaceful persevering service, but what we derive from union with Christ. All efforts after consistency made in any other way will be found vain. In Christ

is our fruit found, Hos. xiv. 8. and by this oneness with him, abundance will be produced. It is our duty to act in faith upon this assurance, coming out into a distinguished profession of the faith. We are to be in the world as legible epistles known and read of all men, as exalted pillars inviting the traveller's eye, and presenting the important inscription of the law, as Christ's redeemed. We are to appear suitably attired with our dignity and high station, that men may perceive the exaltation to which Christ's bride is raised. This must be done by a conduct that is conformed to the mind of God, and in a spirit that is manifestly not of this world. How can this be effected, but by supernatural existence? How can men know this our privilege, but by decided discipleship? Let us, therefore, be increasingly vigilant in separating from the world, and in striving to live as redeemed by the blood of Christ.

If on examination of the heart we cannot discover these principles; if there be no peculiarity of affections, no visible profession, no exhibited ornaments, what shall we say of our miserably forlorn and destitute condition? It is impossible to conceive of a misery so awful and extensive as that which at this very moment overspreads such a soul; " and what will ye do in the end thereof?" None but the wife will sit down at the marriage supper of the Lamb: none but she shout the high hallelujah, which shall proclaim the Bridegroom's

praise: none else shall escape the condemnation, or be rescued from going down into the pit. Is it not, therefore, a fearful thing to trifle away the transitory moments of time, whilst hasting to such a tremendous eternity? And should not the selfcondemnation which results from comparing the experience of God's heritage, with that of the wretchedly blasted soul that is still in its native alienation from the Lord, be sufficient to suggest the necessity of seeking the only remedy in Christ Jesus?

Here let us pause; and, previously to a closer examination of the character of the spouse, meditate upon what constitutes a bliss thus pure, lasting, and peculiar: that so we may be induced by the Spirit's persisting grace to bend the knee of a suppliant, and ask the visitations of life and mercy!