We are all persuaded that no less a standard will suffice to support us in a dying hour, or to give us victory in the conflict, such as the Christian should desire. It will not suffice in that serious moment to be able only to hope, and merely to say that we trust he will have mercy. Thus to die is but a dreary mode of passing into the presence of the dreadful Judge, and of waiting for a sentence never to be reversed, and deciding the happiness or misery of an immortal soul. If then we consider it desirable to be able when

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dying to say, My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever," Psalm lxxiii. 26. why will we not now seek the unspeakable privilege, and appreciate the comfort of walking through our remaining days of pilgrimage in association with the Holy Ghost as the witness of our union with the Lord? Is there any thing in this from which a rational soul should start back? is it not the proper elevation of a creature endowed and blest as man has been by his Creator? Come, then, make trial of the joyous way opened in Jesus Christ, and experienced by those who are one with him.

In all instances wherein the privilege is known, there remains a responsibility to which the soul should be continually stirred up. Let such believers studiously cherish their distinction in the use of every appointed means, holding it humbly, and prayerfully, and joyfully in the Lord, that none such should seem to come short of the pro

mise they inherit in Christ, but that all men may see the holy liberty into which Christian privilege introduces the soul. Heb. iv. 1. Neh. viii. 10. And that they may also live as they who are looking for a perfection beyond any present possession, when, the marriage of the Lamb being come, his wife shall be found to have made herself ready, wearing her royal attire, and hailing her Bridegroom's voice. Then shall espousals be completed in the visible union and splendour and highest dignity of the Lord's redeemed, Rev. xix. 7. This is the proper result of a union which in this world is realized through faith; and in the approaching day is to be manifested everlastingly.

THE SENSE OF UNION A NEW

SPRING OF OBEDIENCE.

ROMANS VII. 4—6.

OUR two last subjects have afforded us the opportunity of looking into the privileged state of the believer when entering into conscious union with Christ. This forms an important period in the history of the life of faith, introducing us into many parts of the Christian course, which are to be considered as resulting from this conscious privilege.

As one of the first blessings which follow this stage of experience, we are evidently to consider the soul put in possession of a vigorous power of holiness, correspondently with the new dignity of condition and high relation which it is called to realize. And on this point we have some interesting particulars to examine. We do not intend that the believer has not exhibited, in the progress we have already contemplated, a disposition of upright obedience; we have shewn that under the operation of the Holy Ghost he has entered upon a course, wherein his consciousness of sin has cost him godly anguish, has been attended with upright conflict, has produced contrition and prostration of spirit, and unfeigned surrender

of self, with the hope of being wholly conformed to the will of God. Insomuch that his unceasing language is, "O that my ways were made so direct, that I might keep thy statutes." Ps. cxix. 5. In these traits of true repentance we discover many of the excellent acts of obedience, proceeding from the principle of holiness; yet we do not perceive in them what answers to the stability of really Christian and spiritual elevation, such as the covenant has prepared for the saints, and which is only to be looked for at the period we are at present examining. Let our own observation determine this truth. It must be evident to

ourselves, that in the time which precedes the assurance of faith, we are conscious of much fluctuation in our feelings, and subtle workings of uncertainty, even in our purposes; for notwithstanding our habitual integrity, there are almost unperceived reasonings of nature in us, which interfere with the manifest beauty of a regular undeviating obedience, producing in our course a kind of inequality in our steps easily discoverable by the highly spiritual, and sometimes discerned also by the world, which judges us accordingly. There is likewise very frequently a mixture of bondage in our disposition, demonstrated by somewhat of a self-righteous spirit in our service; for too often we are wishing to find cause for complacency in what we are doing or feeling; and although we have renounced our native self, we are seeking to rest in our sanctified state; an evil

which we betray by being dispirited and dejected under any sensible defect.

All this, it is true, belongs to an upright disposition, but it impedes the flow of generous obedience, because not wrought in liberty of spirit; and therefore we must consider such acts rather as tokens of what will be, than as fruits which reach the proper Christian standard. They are the effect of a real work begun, and in some degree advanced in the soul; they exhibit a "Prince's daughter," whose feet are "beautiful with shoes," see Cant. vii. 1. Or are "shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace." Eph. vi. 15. There is a readiness to tread in the whole way of devotion; a sure preparation of the heart, which cometh from God. Prov. xvi. 1.

That the end for which these preparations are given, is that of an exhibition of God's grace in a visible character, corresponding with the relation now established, is evident from various passages in God's word.

Thus when the Lord testifies of his grace to Zion, under the notion of a bride, or wife, or espoused one, he declares her visible and conspicuous excellency. And although some of these passages refer in a high sense to the literal Israel, and future scenes of dignity reserved for that nation, we are not to forget that the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile being broken down, Christ has found a bride for himself out of every kingdom, and nation, and people,