will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." John xiv. 9, 20, 23. To enjoy intercourse with the Mediator secures communion with the Spirit and the Father: for "Through him we have access, by one Spirit unto the Father." Eph. ii. 18. The Spirit takes the things that are Christ's and shows them to his people, that they may know and enjoy them; but all things that the Father has are Christ's, believers therefore know and enjoy the Father, and all things that are his in Christ. then sing, "This God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even unto death!" Psalm xlviii. 14.

With what joy may they

5. FROM this subject we may take occasion to enquire into the distinguishing characteristics of the subjects of Zion's king. I enquire not at present into these at large, but only so far as relates to the subject of the

text.

THEY discern in him such transcendent excellencies as are not to be seen in any other, and which those who are not his genuine subjects do not see, even in him. When he appeared in our world, the carnal Jews viewed him as a root out of a dry ground: having no form nor comeliness; and no beauty on account of which they should desire him. They despised and esteemed him not.

But the disciples beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. All his genuine subjects esteem him fairer than the sons of men, white and ruddy, the chief among ten thousand-altogether lovely.

THEY place him on the throne of their hearts. Though they love and esteem others, according to their character, they have no other Lord, no other Beloved besides him. They will have him to rule supreme in their hearts, to form them by his Spirit to love him

self and to delight in him. They struggle against every lust and every enemy, which would rival Christ in the possession of the heart. When Jesus put the very trying question to Peter, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?" he instantly replied by appealing to his omniscience. "Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee." The Psalmist, the spouse and all genuine believers prefer him above every other object. "Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none in all the earth that I desire besides thee." "This is my beloved, and this is my friend."

THEY are much interested in the prosperity of his kingdom in the world. Every thing that appears to obstruct its progress, particularly the prevalence of sin, fills them with distress and sorrow. They sigh and cry for the abominations that prevail. I saw the transgressors, said David, and was grieved. The divisions, distractions and animosities which prevail in the church depress their minds much. They pray for the peace of Jerusalem, for prosperity within her palaces, and for success to her ordinances, in the conversion of sinners. They are anxious that others should know Christ as well as themselves: hence the spouse, when she found her beloved, did not content herself with enjoying her privilege, but brought him into her mother's house, that all might enjoy him.

THEY are anxious to detect the enemies of his kingdom, especially in their own hearts, and to bring these unto him to have them destroyed. They complain to him against false and unfaithful teachers, against such as oppress his church, and infringe her liberties, though done under the mask of friendship. They are much employed in looking into their own hearts, and search out the lusts and idols which lodge there, that they may

* Uu

have them destroyed. It is the character of all that are Christ's that they crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts; and, through the Spirit, mortify the deeds of the body.

THEY willingly subject themselves to his laws. These are written in their hearts at their translation into his kingdom, and he gives them his Spirit to aid and direct them in every part of their obedience to him. "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." "I delight in the law of God after the inward man." These declarations were not peculiar to David and Paul, but are expressive of the spiritual dispositions of all true subjects of Zion's Lord. A conscientious regard to the laws of any superior is the best proof of loyalty; and Jesus lays it down as the best evidence of being his genuine subjects. "Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you." If at any time the commandments of men run counter to the laws of their Lord, they cleave to him and to his laws, disregarding either the favour or displeasure of men. Hence many have parted with all things, and even life itself, rather than disobey the laws of their divine Lord.

6. THIS subject affords much encouragement to believers when waiting upon the ordinances of their Lord. They are then employed in his service, and may assure themselves he will not send them a warfare at their own charges.

He is steward in his own house, and distributes to every member in it all necessary supplies. He fills the hungry with good things. He calls upon you to open your mouth wide, and he will fill it; to come and eat of his bread and drink of the wine which he hath ming-` led. He gives light to them that sit in darkness, and leads the blind by a way that they know not, making

crooked paths straight, and rough places plain. He giveth power to the faint, and increaseth strength to them that have no might. He heals the broken hearted, and comforts the wounded in spirit. Assure yourselves, then, Christians, of a liberal supply of all that you need, and apply unto him for it. "Ask and ye shall receive." If you remain in want the blame must attach to yourselves, not to him.

He is able to remove all difficulties that lie in the way of his people, when attending his ordinances. This is a part of his work. of his work. Believers often meet insurmountable obstructions when yielding obedience to their Lord, and unless these are removed by him they can make no progress in his service. Their greatest difficulties arise from the state of their own minds. Indwelling sin sometimes becomes turbulent, and distracts their souls; powerful lusts attempt to entice them to evil, and to divert them from the ways of God. Unbelief and worldly mindedness prevail; and spiritual deadness gains upon the affections. They then find a law that, when they would do good, evil is present with them; and the good that they would they do not. It is the work of their Lord to remove these. He was appointed for that purpose. Isaiah lxi. 1. "The Spirit of the LORD God is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound." Believers have experienced this, as in the case of the spouse, Song ii. 8. "Behold he cometh, leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. If you now find such impediments in your way have recourse to your Lord, and put him in mind of his promise. Every valley shall

be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain." Isaiah xl. 4.

He keeps a watchful eye over all the enemies of his people, especially when waiting on him in his ordinances. He knows that, on such occasions, they are ready to molest and disturb his people. Satan goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, and the world is at hand to solicit the attention of the mind, and to engage the affections. The design of these enemies is to withdraw the soul from spiritual exercises, or to discompose and distract it in them. The church's Lord discerns the designs of these enemies and writes abortion upon them. His eye is set upon them for evil. He checks them in their procedure; he endues his people with wisdom to observe their designs, and strength to oppose them; and he composes their souls, filling them with peace.

He gives efficacy to his ordinances, for promoting the salvation of his people. We are not to imagine, with Arminians, that the success of the gospel depends on mere moral suasion. It is necessary, in the use of means, to deal with men as rational creatures, in a rational way, by reasoning with them from the strongest moral considerations, to induce them to pay a due attention to the means of salvation; and to produce concern and anxiety in them; but they ought also to be assured that supernatural power is necessary to give that efficacy to means which is necessary to produce a saving change on the soul. No sinner ever was converted merely by argument, but born of the water and of the Spirit. Ministers may plant and water, but God alone gives the increase. Even in believers who are possessed of a new life, reasoning will not revive languishing grace,