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the image that had been defaced, and, by the sacrifice of His beloved Son, renewed His covenant with ruined man. But as it was necessary that, during the time of his probation here, man should gradually be prepared by the purity of his thoughts and the holiness of his deeds to enjoy the presence of infinite perfection hereafter; the Almighty was not content with merely redeeming his soul by the blood-shedding of Christ, but provided also a sufficient aid for the sanctification of his body. Thus "eternal life" indeed becomes the "gift of God." The merits of Christ are to us imputed; and for the fruits of the Spirit we are rewarded. Our sins are washed out by the blood of Christ; our acceptable deeds are performed through the Spirit strengthening us; our redemption is the work of God, and our virtues are the gift of God. "O the depth of the riches of the mercy, and the wisdom, and the knowledge of God! how unspeakable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! for who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counsellor? or who

hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto Him again? for of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things; to whom be glory for ever. Amen."

But while dwelling on the transcendent mercy thus revealed, we may not close our eyes to the tremendous responsibility that rests upon ourselves. What now becomes of the favourite plea of those, who glorying in the works of darkness, and revelling in all the lusts of the flesh, would ascribe the impurity of their lives to the weakness of their nature? Let it be admitted, that this weakness is as great as their own distorted fancy would represent it; let it to its utmost limit be acknowledged, that of ourselves we can do nothing; yet, we have only now to ask in sincerity and truth, and Divine wisdom will be planted upon the soil of human error, and the strength of Jehovah supply the weakness of man. The adversary, as a ramping and a roaring lion, may still go about seeking whom he may devour; but his malignant darts will strike us harmlessly if we be strong in the

Lord, and in the power of His might; for, if we put on the whole armour of God, we shall be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. In every moment of temptation, therefore, whether in the retirement of the closet, or in the crowded haunts of men, let a mental prayer be offered for assistance, and the adversary will be made to quail before the power that has subdued him. But if we neglect so great salvation, and turn from the righteous commandment delivered unto us; let us remember, that the Spirit of God will not always strive with man, but he will be abandoned to his mad career, heaping up for himself wrath against the day of wrath, till the measure of his iniquity be full; and for his recompense, there will be through the countless ages of eternity, "the worm that dieth not, and the fire that shall never be quenched."

SERMON IV.

ON BAPTISM.

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1 COR. xii. 13.

By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free."

WHEN the purposes of the Almighty for the salvation of mankind were about visibly to commence, and men themselves to be appointed the instruments through whom these blessings should flow; "The Lord appeared unto Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect; and I will make my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. This is

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my covenant which ye shall keep, between me and you, and thy seed after thee; every man child among you shall be circumcised; and it shall be the token of the covenant betwixt me and you; and the man child that is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.”

Thus confirmed by the awful appearance of God Himself, was this seal of a covenant established, to be the distinguishing mark of the visible Church of God, and as an assurance of blessing; not merely as a sign, which was to distinguish the seed of Abraham from the nations; but as the visible entrance into a covenant, which made them the children of God, and entitled them to the blessings of their Father's kingdom. It was obligatory upon every Jew, under the fatal alternative of being cut off from his people, and becoming an alien from his father's house, because he had broken the covenant. It was religiously and strictly observed, from the days of Abraham to the coming of our Saviour; with the exception of their forty years

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