power and efficacy of which the apostle so beautifully describes. Then too commenced that dispensation of types and shadows which pointed to Christ, and continued to the time when He offered up his life on the cross. By this faith it was that the elders obtained a good report. By this also Abel offered a more acceptable offering than Cain. The apostle proceeds

to enumerate the Patriarchs down to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as examples of the efficacy of faith: and then says; "These all died in faith; not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them.” Heb. xi. 13.

Our Lord also testified; "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it and was glad.” John viii. 56. Thus, while they had the promises of the Messiah to come-while they were exercised in types and shadows, pointing to those good things, though the things promised were themselves afar off-yet, through faith, they were enabled not only to see them at a distance, but to be persuaded of them, and to embrace them. Thus, in that living faith, they had "the substance of the things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen," or capable of being seen, but through the medium of this faith itself.

It is not my intention to attempt, in any degree, to remove that veil with which Almighty God has covered those secret things which belong to Himself. He has been pleased, in condescension, to reveal to us, that, through our Lord Jesus Christ, the Free Gift came upon all men unto justification. And we have neither right nor occasion to enquire why or how it was done. But we

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are bound to believe that it was done; and that it came upon ALL; every age and part of the world participated in the benefits of that "one Offering," by which "He hath perfected for ever," and, as William Penn observes, in all times, "them that are sanctified," "who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Heb. x. 14. Rom. viii. 1.

And this is the testimony of our primitive Friends, and of the Society down to the present day. Robert Barclay, in the 5th and 6th Propositions of his Apology, when speaking of the true Light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world, says; "Nor is it less universal than the seed of sin; being the purchase of His death, who tasted death for every man: for, 'as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.'” 1 Cor. xv. 22.

The doctrine of that sanctification of the Spirit, which we must experience in ourselves, in order to obtain salvation, has already been alluded to in the chapter on the Original and Present State of Man, and in that on the Universality of Grace; and will again be brought into view, in one relating to Sanctification and Justification. But, considering its importance, I am not willing to pass from the present subject, without repeating, that Salvation is an actual, and not an ideal work. We must experience it, if we attain to it. If we have not the Spirit of Christ ruling and purifying our hearts, we are none of his. We are bound to commemorate his goodness, to remember with humble gratitude what He has done and suffered for us. But we should still bear in mind, that these benefits and intended blessings will avail us nothing, if we do not submit to the operation of his Spirit

and power in our hearts. Where much is given, much will be required. And surely much has been done for us all. If the Lord Jesus Christ has offered up his life for us; if in reviewing the agonizing sufferings and death of the Immaculate Lamb, we are to consider them as the evidences of his Redeeming Love, and as designed to obtain Eternal Redemption for us; how humbling, how tendering, must be the reflections! How strong must be our obligations to love and obey Him, who first loved us, and gave Himself a ransom for us! How great must be our condemnation, if we become insensible to these powerful motives to gratitude and love! "If a man love Me," said He, "he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." John xiv. 23. Here the first spring of action is the love of Christ, operating upon our hearts. Obedience flows from that love. This again draws more largely of the Divine favour; and ends in an intimate union and communion with Goda sensible enjoyment of his Divine Presence.

It never was intended by the death of Christ, tọ purchase for us the privilege (if privilege it can be called) of living without God in the world. He did not come to perpetuate sin, and establish the dominion of darkness; but to "finish transgression, to make an end of sin, and bring in everlasting righteousness," Dan. ix. 24; that sin might have no more dominion over us; and to "bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Cor. x. 5. Though Christ has died for us--though He has given us a measure of his Grace—though He visits and revisits us with the offers of his love and salvation; yet it is possible for all these favours to pass from us, so

that we may never realize any advantages from them in the end.

Let us therefore remember that we 66 are bought with a Price, and are not our own," 1 Cor. vi. 19, 20; that we may "not henceforth live unto ourselves, but unto Him, who died for us, and rose again," 2 Cor. v. 15. that, as He rose from the dead by the power of the Father, so we may walk in newness of life, by the aid and operation of his Spirit revealed in our hearts.

I do not consider it proper to enter upon an enquiry into the Divine nature; or how it subsisted in its different manifestations; or how the Divinity was connected with human nature; or why this was necessary. The secrets of the Divine counsels do not belong to us; and we have no occasion to enter into discussion respecting them. On the contrary, wherever they have been made the subjects of curious and speculative enquiry, the mind has been in danger of being led, by specious reasonings, into views and sentiments incompatible with those which have been presented to us, through the medium of Divine Revelation; and thus the whole ground of infidelity lies open before those who enter into such enquiries.

On reviewing this portion of the doctrines of the Gospel, we may remember, that no part of the Christian system has been so frequently assailed, or with such varied modes of attack as this. Here it was that the Jews stumbled and fell. Here the wisdom of the world, from the Greeks down to the present day, has discovered (as it has supposed) much foolishness. Here reason has exerted its powers, to penetrate into the secret counsels of the Almighty; and has boldly attempted to bring

down even the Divine nature, to the measure of its own limited capacity.

No wisdom but that wisdom which is from above, can comprehend the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. And as the Divine nature and the Divine counsels are abundantly wrapped in deep mystery, the curious have been anxious to discover-the presumptuous have been bold to explain-and the sceptical have been ready to deny, those things which mere human faculties never could understand. The means of Redemption have opened a wide field of conjecture for speculative minds. But how inadequate must be the most exalted human powers to comprehend the love of God, operating for the Redemption of a fallen world! How unable to devise the means! how incapable of tracing them to the accomplished end!

It still remains to be the Divine determination, to "destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." 1 Cor. i. 19. And yet He will, from time to time, reveal to the humble, attentive mind, however simple, all that is necessary for it to know.

It is instructive to remember, that when John saw, in the " 'right hand of Him that sat on the throne, a Book, written within, and on the back side, sealed with seven seals," there was CE no man found in heaven, nor in earth, worthy to loose the seals or to look thereon." Rev. v. 1, 2, 3. Let us then be cautious how we presume to look thereon, or make what lies beyond the seals, the subject of speculative enquiry. It is the Lion of the tribe of Judah alone, that is worthy to open this book, and reveal the deep mysteries it contains. And