upon him, the believer experimentally feels somewhat of the spirit of the Apostle, to glory in his infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon him. He literally rejoiceth in his own emptiness, that it may afford occasion, to taste the sweetness of being filled from Jesus. And however paradoxical it may seem to the world; when he is most weak in himself, then is he most strong, in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

This is then, in the language of the text, to flourish in the courts of our God. This is to bring forth fruit in old age, when nature's root, is more and more decaying. This is to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. For grace is an humbling principle. And the soul that grows in grace, is growing downwards. That is, lays lower and lower, in the dust before God, in token of profound humiliation, in the discovery of greater insights of his own corrupt, and sinful nature. And as he advances, in the knowledge, of his Lord and Saviour, he sees more of his beauty, more of his fulness, and suitability, as a Rich Saviour, exactly formed for a poor Sinner. By growing in grace therefore, he grows more out of love with himself; and by increasing in the knowledge of his Saviour, he becomes more enamour'd of his Person and Character. And thus the blessed Spirit teaches him to know, both himself, and what Jesus is, that he may be filled with all the fulness of God.

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My Brother. Have you been thus taught of God? Are your advances in grace of this kind? Be assured, that there is no other to be depended upon. Men may fancy what they please, of inherent holiness in the creature: But these things result, not from divine teachings, but are the puffings up of human pride.

Do not forget this one thing. The distinguishing office of God the Holy Ghost, is to glorify Jesus. Now it never can tend to glorify Jesus, when we exalt the creature. And what can tend to exalt the creature more, than when we tempt him to fancy, that he hath in himself, somewhat of holiness to look to. When we send him to duties, and ordinances, and the exercise of his gifts, and graces, by way of recommending himself to God.

The Spirit's teachings, are all the reverse to this. He shews the sinner, that the same Almighty hand which first stripped him of every thing he fancied holy, and then led him, naked as he was, to Christ to be clothed, now leads him daily, as naked as ever, to Jesus, to be covered with his robe of righteousness. The same grace, which convinced him, that he was empty, and brought him to Jesus to be filled, teaches him like the Israelites in the desert, that the living bread, of which their Manna was a figure, must be again supplied, pure and new, every

morning.

morning. And the same blessed Instructor, that made him come empty handed, and bringing nothing but his misery to recommend him, still tells him, that he hath nothing, literally nothing else to bring, but the same recommendations.

Oh! these are sweet and precious lessons, in God's School. I pray God, that you, and I, may learn them, more and more, from our great Master. Depend upon it, he that stands highest, in the upper form, of his heavenly teaching, is he, that hath made the greatest proficiency, in this humbling science. And were I in possession, of all the learning in the Universe, and the knowledge of every art and science, centered in my person: gladly would I relinquish the whole, were it possible by the sacrifice, to acquire a greater depth in those two grand rules of the divine life. To know my own total emptiness, and Jesus's all-sufficiency. And by the Spirit's operation to be unceasingly living upon his fulness.

But while I am speaking, of the blessedness of those, in whose experience, the promise of the text is daily fulfilling: and who from living more, and more, upon Christ, flourish as they advance in old age; I must not forget, that very probably, there may be, some mourning souls pre sent, who from not finding this progress in their

instance,

instance, are tempted to call in question, every principle of their faith, and to doubt whether they have ever been brought in, as plants in the Lord's house.

My Brother! Do not in your anxiety, overlook those evidences, however small you may think them, which carry in their bosom, the truest marks of a work of grace in the soul. Your very fears, and anxieties, prove the reverse of what you fear. Else why those distressing apprehensions of coming short of grace? Wherefore those longing desires after grace? Why is it, that you sometimes rejoice, upon the smallest gleam of hope arising in the soul, and again fall back into your former despondency, when that hope is clouded? Must there not be grace in the heart to desire, even though those desires, be not according to your wishes gratified?

Moreover; Say, is not the Redeemer very dear to you, as a Redeemer to his Church, and People, even though, you cannot see your interest clearly in him? Is not his Person, altogether lovely, and his gifts, and graces, most desireable, however short you yourself come in evidences, that you are united to the one, or have communion with the other? And faint, and

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and indistinct, as the impressions of hope are upon your mind, of a personal interest in Jesus, and his offices; tell me, would you, or could you, give them up, with an indifference, as one that hath no right in them? Do my Brother, examine yourself, by these standards of character, and I venture to believe, that you will find precious testimonies, where you least expected them.

Besides: It should be remembered also, that Believers in the Church of Christ, like plants, do not, neither are they expected to flourish, with equal strength, and fruitfulness. The distribution of spiritual gifts, we are taught, are diverse, though all coming from one, and the self same Spirit, who divideth to every man severally as he will. The church at Thessalonica Hourished so abundantly, as to call forth a particular thanksgiving, to God, from the Apostle Paul upon the occasion. We are bound (says he) to thank God always for you brethren as it is meet because your faith groweth exceedingly. On the contrary, the Church among the Hebrews, made so little progress, that the same Apostle told them, they had need to learn, the first principles. But as Churches both, we may be very certain, there was a progressive improvement, though not in an equal degree.

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