to dwell within them*; and, like the Shechinah in his magnificent house at Jerusalem, sanctifies, illuminates, and directs them t. What the soul is to the body, the Holy Spirit is to the Church. By his powerful agency, its members are not only enlightened and actuated individually; but, like the several parts of the natural body, they are connected and held together in spiritual peace, order, union, and harmony ‡.

VI. Such, and so great, are the privileges and endowments of a Christian. However

* 1 Cor. iii. 16. 2 Tim. i. 14. 1 John iv. 12. 15, 16. † Οὐδὲν λανθάνει τὸν Κύριον, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὰ κρυπτὰ ἡμῶν ἐγγὺς αὐτῷ ἐστίν. Πάντα οὖν ποιῶμεν ὡς αὐτοῦ ἐν ἡμῖν κατοικοῦντος, ἵνα ὦμεν αὐτοῦ ναοὶ, καὶ αὐτὸς ᾖ ἐν ἡμῖν θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὅπερ καὶ ἔστιν καὶ φανήσεται πρὸ προσώπου ἡμῶν ἐξ ὧν δικαίως ἀγαπῶμεν αὐτόν. Ignat. Epist. ad Ephes. §. xv.

Conversemur quasi Dei templa, ut Deum in nobis constet habitare. Nec sit degener actus noster a Spiritu, ut qui cœlestes et spirituales esse cœpimus, non nisi spiritualia et cœlestia cogitemus et agamus. Cyprian. de Orat. Domin. Oper. vol. i. p. 143.

Barrow's Works, vol. ii. p. 505.

those, that sit in the chair of the scorner, may mock at the counsel of God, and deride the operations of his Holy Spirit: they, who have experienced the benefit of his influence, thankfully acknowledge the greatness of his power in the conversion and sanctification of a sinner. They know, in whom they have believed. If God be for them, who can be against them? In all things they are more than conquerors through him that loved them.

VII. Blessed be God, even in these latter days of the Christian Church, his arm is not shortened. He is still both able and willing to save all, who come to him in his Son's name. His promises yet receive their accomplishment: nor can one jot or one tittle of his word fail.

As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear: but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father; the Spirit itself bearing witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God; and, if children, then heirs; heirs of

God, and joint heirs with Christ. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord*.

Rom. viii. 14. 38.

CHAPTER VI.

THE HOLY SPIRIT, A COMFORTER, AND AN INTER

CESSOR.

THE Christian, who has been accustomed to observe the workings of his heart, well knows, that there are times, in which his views of a better world are greatly darkened and obscured. He is deprived of that comfortable reliance on the fatherly goodness of God, which once constituted his greatest joy and his highest privilege. His love toward his Saviour appears to be strangely diminished: and, instead of that fervent affection which once he experienced, he feels nothing but a cold and painful indifference. He sees others, rejoicing in the paths of holiness, and full of that peace which passeth all understanding; while his better prospects are fearfully clouded, and a deep gloom, overhangs his dejected spirits. Scripture, instead of offering him

consolation, presents only a menacing aspect: and he dwells, with an oppressive melancholy, upon those passages, which contain the severe denunciations of an offended God against hardened and impenitent sinners. Ordinances, that once seemed to bring all heaven upon his ear, now delight no more: and, though he sedulously frequents them, he appears to himself to have, as it were, no interest in them. The precious dew of God's Holy Spirit descends upon all around him: while he alone, like Gideon's fleece, remains unaltered. Public and private devotion are are equally inefficacious: and even the social conversation of a dear and religious friend no longer produces its wonted effect. Weary of himself and sick of the world, bewailing the deadness of his own heart and mourning for the loss of those better days which once he knew, he is ready to exclaim: O that I had wings like a dove, for then would I flee away and be at rest *.

* In spiritual trials that are the sharpest and most fiery of all, when the furnace is within a man; when God doth not