Persons in man's salvation. Sublime conception! Drooping sinners-nay, ye archangels nearest the throne-behold the Wonder of Wonders! "All the Trinity is ours in the Incarnate Son." It serves to accomplish the designs of a catholic Dispensation. "If any man thirst," &c. The invitation is given to men of every race, condition, clime, and colour, under the sun. But is it not obvious that the humanity of Jesus is in one place only at the same moment? That all believers may be at once blessed with the living waters, the Dispensation of the Spirit is established. That Spirit is omnipresent: "Whither shall I fly from Thy Spirit?" &c. (Psa. cxxxix. 7). Though we cannot see the glorified body of the Saviour, yet the believer can spiritually approach and apprehend Him.

Further, It was highly expedient that the predicted outpouring of the Spirit should be delayed until the ascension of Jesus Christ, not only because this blessed Agent was promised to discharge those functions of monition, instruction, and consolation, that Christ had discharged-(hence called, "another Comforter," or rather, as Dr. Campbell learnedly observes," another Monitor." This is a comprehensive word, including the ideas of Comforter, Guide, Remembrancer, &c.)-but also that the enthronement of Jesus might be signalized; that His power with the Father, and the prevalence of His intercession, might be evidenced; and that the adorable Conqueror might thus publicly dispense His royal bounties. But reasons multiply: e.g., also that the Church's hopes might be everlastingly fixed on His Priesthood and mediation; that His enemies might be confuted by a mysterious influence proceeding from the Holy and the Just One, whom they had slain; and that His drooping followers, otherwise "orphans," should be revived, and compensated for His absence; moreover, that all might learn to regard the adorable Spirit in His true relation, as the Divine Advocate and VICAR (Representative, Deputy) of Christ.

In fine, dwell on the offices of the Spirit of Christ.. Have we experienced the gift, the Living Water? Have we believed on Jesus? How great the responsibility and blessedness of living under the Dispensation of the Spirit!

BAD AT BEST.-Lord, how come wicked thoughts to perplex me in my prayers, when I desire and endeavour only to attend Thy service? Now I perceive the cause thereof: at other times I have willingly entertained them; and now they entertain themselves against my will. I acknowledge Thy justice that what formerly I have invited. now I cannot expel. Give me hereafter always to bolt out such ill guests. The best way to be rid of such bad thoughts in my prayers, is not to receive them out of my prayers.-Fuller.

Sermonic Helps.

THE UNTHANKFUL.

"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."-1 THES. V. 18.

This text serves to condemn the horrid ingratitude of Christians.

1. Those that in nothing will give thanks, at no time, for no mercy. These are swine that devour all that drops from the tree of God's bounty, and never look up whence it cometh. These are worse than the ox and ass that know their owner's and master's cribs.-Isa. i. 3. These are mere heathens, who, though they profess "they know God, yet do not glorify Him as God, nor are thankful."-Rom. i. 21. These are like buckets that run greedily down into a well when they are empty with open mouth; but when they be full, they turn their hinder part upon the well that filled them. Thus do unthankful men call greedily for mercies; and when God hath filled them, they "turn the back, and not the face."

2. Another kind of unthankful men is that sort who, having received mercies from God, arrogate the honour of them to themselves. Let Papists and Pelagians, old and new, who attribute more to free-will than to grace, which the one makes the root of merits, the other gives the casting of the scale in man's conversion to it-let these see how by such principles they can acquit themselves from the crime of sacrilegious ingratitude, for they rob God of His glory; and then let them hear, not me, but St. Austin, thundering against them : "O Lord, he that assumes the glory of any good he hath to himself, and ascribes it not to Thee, that man is a thief, and a robber, and like the devil, who robbeth Thee of Thy glory." Thus also they who attribute their riches, children, honours, victories, health, safety, knowledge, &c., to their wits, labours, merits-these are ungrateful robbers of God. Thus they burnt incense to their drag and yarn.-Hab. i. 15, 16. Thus Nebuchadnezzar gloried in the great Babel of his own. building.-Dan. iv. 30. Thus the Assyrian also ranted and vaunted himself, as if by his own great wisdom and valour he had conquered the nations.-Isa. X. 13-15. But mark the end of these men; how the Lord took it, and how he dealt with them for it. He turned Nebuchadnezzar out to graze among the beasts. He kindled a fire in the Assyrian's forest, and burnt it. He struck Herod, that he was eaten up with worms, because he gave himself, and not God, the glory.— Acts xii. 23.

3. Another sort of unthankful ones there is, that seem to be very thankful; but it is only complimentally, and with the lip.

These are like apes that eat up the kernel, and leave God the shells; they care not to go to the cost of a heart or a lifethankfulness; they are cursed hypocrites; they put Him off with the blind and the lame in sacrifice, and never once give Him the male of their flock.-Mal. i. 14. God will pay them in their own coin; they are thankful in jest, and God will damn them in earnest. "That man,' saith Lactantius, "cannot be a godly man that is unthankful to his God." And Aquinas saith, that "unthankfulness hath in it the root and matter of all sin; for it denies or dissembles the goodness of God, by which we live, move, and have our being, yea, and all our blessings, the thankful acknowledgment whereof is our indispensable homage unto God. Unthankfulness was a huge ingredient into Adam's sin: to sin against his Maker as soon as he was made; yea, by whom he was so fearfully and wonderfully made-little lower than the angels ! -Psa. cxxxix. 14; viii. 5. Unthankfulness was the sin of Noah and Lot after their deliverances-the one from water, the other from fire (Gen. ix., xix.); the sin of Israel, that forgat their Rock, their Husband, that found them in "the waste howling wilderness" (Deut. xxxii.); and when they "lay in their blood, no eye pitying them, cast out to the loathing of their persons" (Ezek. xvi. 1-36); the sin of David (2 Sam. xii. 7-9); the sin of Solomon (1 Kings xi. 9); the sin of Hezekiah (2 Chron. xxxii. 25).

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The great sin of the Gospel is unthankfulness, by sinning against the light, love, free grace, and rich patience of God in it. This is "to turn His grace into wantonness; prefer darkness before light; to "neglect so great salvation;" not to come under Christ's wing when He calls to us; to "despise His goodness and long-suffering, leading us to repentance," not to "come to Him that we may have life;" to resist His Spirit, and trample on His blood. The sin of the greatest sinners in the book of God is unthankfulness; the sin of the angels that kept not their first station, the sin of Cain in his offering, the sin of the Sodomites, the sin of the old world, the sin of Saul, the sin of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the sin of Nabal, the sin of Hanun, the sin of Judas, the sin of Julian, and of Antichrist-all is unthankfulness.— Cooper.

"THESE SAYINGS OF MINE.”

"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and heat upon that house; and it fell not for it was founded upon a rock "-MATT vii 24, 25.

IN chapter iv. is a compendious record of Christ's miracles. He did not " cry, nor lift up, nor cause His voice to be heard in the streets." Often, when He had wrought splendid and

compassionate miracles, He enjoined silence. His office was graced with meekness and humility unrivalled. Yet, even in that favoured land, in which saints and prophets had flourished, and which angel-feet had often trodden, His fame could not be unknown. Multitudes came together; some, to obtain His aid; some, to see His miracles; and many to hear His gracious words. An ocean of knowledge, He delighted to communicate its precious streams. "Seeing the multitudes," &c. (ch. v. 1). The text occurs at the close of this incomparable sermon We propose to review the "sayings" of Christ, to which the text refers: the practical attention which the Great Teacher requires: and the stability that recompenses obedience.

I. The text might be accurately illustrated in reference to all the words of the incarnate Lord; and there is an interesting sense in which the entire volume of holy Scripture may be included in the "sayings" of Christ, every part of it proceeding from His Spirit's inspiration. But we abide by the original reference to His sermon on the mount.

"These sayings of Mine." A God! No prophet ever spake thus. What sweetness, majesty, and power!

These sayings were delivered to those who were acquainted with the Divine unity; who had been rescued, by chastening discipline, from the enormities of literal idolatry; and who knew the doctrine of atonement by blood. This consideration, and the arrangement of Divine wisdom, which did not allow the sacrificial passion of Christ to be so early disclosed, may satisfy those who inquire for reason why these sovereign topics were not here more clearly introduced.

These sayings are eminently practical; yet they imply, as the foundations and encouragements of duty, the most glorious views of doctrine.

These sayings were designed to correct then-prevalent errors. But the same errors, in new modifications, disfigure modern profession; and these the Saviour detects and proposes to control by the principles of this inimitable sermon, which will never cease to admonish and to instruct the Christian world. Combining with Divine wisdom the humbling exposure of specific violations of the law, with a luminous exposition of universal righteousness.

These sayings include the most important and interesting subjects:

1. The search after happiness. In this pursuit all conspire; the statesman and the cottager. Jesus describes the frames of heart that ensure man's highest bliss. How confounding to those who expected His earthly reign! Bliss, in connection with a class of feelings which the world consents to despise ! "Happy are the poor in spirit," &c., &c.

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The diffusiveness of true religion. A persuasive to impart it to others. "Ye are the salt of the earth; ye are the light of the world," &c.

3. The perpetual obligation and spiritual extent of the Divine law. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil: also to publish it anew; to sanction, and to explain its highest meaning. Obedience is true liberty. Adam, in the garden, was nobly free, but Adam, in his exile from the blissful seat, wandering in a wilderness . . . Christ demands a righteousness far exceeding that of the Scribes and Pharisees, in extent and motive and spirituality . . . (Refer to the instances of murder; impurity; obligation of a gentle and forgiving disposition.)

4. The question of motives. Ch. vi. Alms, prayer, fasting. No vain glory or ostentation. Alms to be done in silence compatible with their being effectual.

5. The question of riches and possessions. "Lay not up," &c. The key of this passage is here: "There will the heart be also." That which is chiefly condemned is the placing of the affections on earthly things. Beyond a provision for your own wants, and the wants of your families, can Christians innocently lay up wealth, while misery languishes on every side, and a world cries for the Gospel?

Allied is a freedom from earthly cares and desires. How to take no thought for the morrow, &c.

6. Charity to each other and to all men. "Judge not," &c. Make yourselves innocent; then with judgment, kindness, and discrimination, rectify others.

"Give not that which is holy," &c. Much misunderstood. Not implying that sinners are not to be reproved, or that the Gospel is not to be preached to every creature; but a wise discrimination in the selection of topics. Tell not the profane, the sensual, the blasphemer, of the beauty of holiness, the hidden manna, the white stone, the glories of the resurrection.

This frame of candid, loving charity, prepares us for the duty of prayer. "Ask, and it shall be given you," &c. If you give good gifts to your children, surely the glorious God will enrich you, if there is no hindrance on your part. Imitate the God of love. Study this one rule, which would transform the world into an Eden,-" Whatsover ye would that men should do unto you," &c.

Such are the laws of Christ. A strait gate; a narrow way. False teachers preach differently. Warning against them. Test-"By their fruits ye shall know them.”

II. "Whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them." It will facilitate our duty of illustration to connect these particulars. There must be―