nature and its continuance described; whilst of its effect we read, "if any man be in Christ he is a new creature-old things are passed away, behold all things are become new," 2 Cor. v. 17.

The doctrine rightly understood will yield not only most awakening considerations, but great consolation also. We can have no hesitation in affirming that without the new birth no man can be saved-this is the clear testimony of the Scripture. And if we receive revelation with faith, such a declaration must needs turn us upon the serious investigation of our own state before God. The human mind is fearfully endangered by prejudice, which, according to its constitutional tendencies, it readily admits. Some men will adhere to the hope of finding favour with God by the decorations which they gather from the desert; that is, from the world-from "beggarly elements," or from their own virtue and morality. Others, disdaining this expectation as altogether legal and ignorant, betake themselves to the doctrine of grace, in the free salvation of a covenant which they use with a deceptious partiality; accepting the glorious revelation of life in a substitute, and the enrapturing view of the unchangeableness of a

covenant Lord, but overlooking, undervaluing, or denying the work of the Spirit in the regeneration of the soul. Some will professedly admit this doctrine, but dress it up in a fashion of carnal invention, stripping it of those substantial ornaments with which the Scriptures endow it, and denying the progress of grace towards maturity. These are fatal mistakes, and we should open our eyes to the rocks against which too many have struck, and made shipwreck of faith, and of a good conscience. A saving knowledge of Christ is attendant on a new birth. They who have right or power by the Spirit to call themselves Sons of God, are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God," John i. 13. Such as are born of God are conformed to God, their high privilege being largely unfolded in 1 John iii. 7-9, and 1 John v. 3, 4; and their course through the world being fraught with peculiar excellences, the gift of their Lord, and an honour to his name. “They shall be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified." This people have I formed for myself, they shall shew forth my praise."

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Consolation of the purest kind attends this doctrine: no doubt it will immediately appear

to the believer, that to be enabled to call upon God as a Father is to possess every thing essential to happiness. In his parental love the soul can rest; it opens a bosom wherein all riches of uncreated and endless fulness are laid up, and whereon the cherished offspring of his grace may confidently recline; with such a possession, poverty, pain, distress, either cease, or are sweetly assuaged: and one who understands any thing of the nature of such a relation, will be ready with simplicity of heart's desire to say,-Give me but this privilege, O my God, and I need ask no more! And are we ready with this word of holy desire? This looks like filial love! The infant in the midst of its unconsciousness of the nature of its existence, has the conscious sense of longing for the nourishment the parent's breast can give; and a little one, still helpless, feeble, and ignorant, will nevertheless manifest that it lives, and is moved to look for help. It may be so with children of the Lord-there is an infancy—a childhood-belonging to spiritual existence; and hence we are taught by the Spirit's instruction, not to despise the day of small things-not to be disquieted in spirit -to remember that there must be first the blade, then the ear, afterwards the full corn in

the ear and above all, to rest upon the assurance that he is faithful, who, having begun the good work, will perform it till the day of Jesus Christ. When, therefore, the soul is conscious of movements, appetites, sorrows, or joys of a spiritual nature, these not being the productions ever seen in unregenerate hearts, destitute of the operation of the Spirit, hope should put forth its cheering influence, and this budding promise of a life that God hath engaged to maintain, encourage the soul to seek its nurture where the provision may be found. "As new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." 1 Peter ii. 1.

These consolations will not generate a state of self-confidence or indolence. We conclude that the breathings after God are unfeigned, and where they are so, we know that they will be increasing. To one who is under this divine operation, comfort and encouragement will be a stimulus to holy exertion in stirring up the spiritual gift that is within. The exhortation speaketh in this manner-" Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do," Phil. ii. 12, 13, and when an anxious heart is turning within itself the important

inquiry-what am I? where am I? what is my desire? and what may I hope?—it is enlivening to every humble resolve to be able at least to determine thus much:-I am not what I once was, I desire to be more than what I now am.

Some further view of this doctrine will appear in what remains to be examined on sanctification; here, therefore, we will pause, summing up thus much, by observing that according to the word of God the new birth is necessary to salvation; it is the work of the Holy Ghost; it is imparted in a principle that is perfect; it is instantaneously given as a perfect seed, but it gradually developes itself, until attaining its ordained maturity, in the conformity of the whole man to Christ Jesus; as we read, "having predestinated us to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren." Rom. viii. 29.