and hell delivered up the dead which were in them and they were judged every man according to their works."m Such is the language of the Spirit of God, which sees things future as if already present. And surely it is language calculated to warn the most indifferent. Men may neglect to read, or understand, or apply the warnings which the Scripture history affords; but when we read what will most assuredly happen to every one of us, a doom by which our happiness or misery for ever will be fixed, we must surely join in the Apostle's conclusion, Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness: looking for and hastening unto the coming of the day of God.n

3. But the Scriptures not only warn by their histories, and by their positive assurance of future judgment, they also promise the assistance of God's Holy Spirit to enlighten his faithful servants: and to enable them to lay these warnings to heart.

This illumination varies with the designs which it pleases the Almighty to effect, in different ages, and by different and by different persons. There are diversities of gifts, but the same spirit.

m Rev. xx. 12, 13.

n 2 Pet. iii. 11, 12.

David and other holy men of old were enlightened to declare the will of God in their inspired writings. At other periods, the Spirit of God was poured out upon all flesh: the young men saw visions, and the old men dreamed dreams, under its holy influence. Sometimes, as on this day, the Holy Spirit descended in a visible form; and was manifested by its præternatural effects. The first Christians were by it enabled to speak with other tongues, which they had never learned; to work miracles; to heal all manner of sickness and disease; to control the elements of the universe. When they were taken before kings and rulers, the Spirit gave them utterance: and their unpremeditated eloquence had a force, which all their adversaries were unable to gainsay or resist. It opened also to their minds the prospect of futurity. They were enabled to foresee events long hidden in the obscurity of ages yet to come: to discern what should come to pass in the last days. Since the necessity for these extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit ceased, we are taught that it still enlightens the hearts of the faithful servants of God.

That man is sinful, and therefore exposed to the wrath of God, is a truth suggested by

• This Lecture was delivered on Whit-Sunday.

undeviating experience; repeatedly confirmed by the authority of Scripture. That some change, therefore, must take place in the nature of man, before he is qualified for that state of blessedness, to which he aspires, is a necessary consequence, and is also confirmed by Scripture. But reason tells us not how that change is to be effected. Repentance for past sin, and a real amendment of life, might reform the sinner for the future; remorse might embitter his remembrance of the past: and terror might restrain him from incurring fresh guilt. But no repentance, no remorse, no terror could ever, by its own efficacy, absolve for past guilt; and experience will soon shew that even to repent and amend thoroughly is a work, which surpasses the unassisted powers of man. Something more, therefore, than mere natural means are requisite: and that assistance the Holy Spirit of God affords.

The words of Scripture upon this important point are most express. Christ declares" Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God."p Again, "No man can come unto me except the Father which hath sent me draw him." So St. Paul affirms distinctly, "if any man have not the Spirit of God, he is none of his." The whole

r

P John iii. 5.

John vi. 44.

Rom. viii. 9.

tenor, indeed, of St. Paul's epistles implies, that some change, which is greater than man can effect for himself, is necessary for his salvation. This change is represented under the strong terms of being made clean, pure,t holy,u free from sin; of being created anew

X

a

d

of having a new heart of being born again; of being born of God; of being born of the Spirit: of being made alive from the dead; of being saved by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. A contrast is studiously made between the natural state of man, that in which he would be without any assistance from above, and the spiritual state; that in which he is placed by the influence of the Spirit of God. The natural state is called the flesh, the other the Spirit. Thus St. Paul declares "to be carnally minded is death: but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.' And the works of the flesh, which those who do shall not inherit the kingdom of God, are expressly opposed to the fruits of the Spirit,

• Psalm li. 10.

t 1 John iii. 3.

Eph. iv. 24.

z Ezek. xviii. 31.

f

James iv. 8. 1 John i. 7, 9.

u Col. 1. 22.

Col. iii. 10. 2 Cor. v. 17.

b John i. 13. 1 John iii. 9. iv. 7.

d Rom. vi. 13.

f 1 Cor. ii. 14.

* Rom. vi. 18.

Gal. vi. 15.

a 1 Pet. i. 23.

e John iii. 5, 6, 8.

e Tit. iii. 5.

8 Gal. v. 17. Rom. viii. 9.

h Rom. viii. 6.

love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.i And, while the benefits, derived from spiritual assistance, are so clearly displayed, we are encouraged to hope for its sanctifying influence by an express assurance of our Lord: "if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him ?" k

Thus have we seen how revealed religion addresses itself to the fears of mankind, by its warnings of history, and by its assurance of judgment: and what assistance it affords to enable man to direct his conduct according to his conviction.

II. But religion further addresses itself to our hopes; by holding out the most glorious promises to those who follow it. Not only by the judgments of God are his servants warned; but in keeping of them there is great reward.

1. It is not to be expected, and perhaps it is not to be desired, that in a state of probation, such as the present life is, apparent happiness should be distributed in proportion to apparent merit. I say apparent happiness,

because it is well known how often, in the

i Gal. v. 22.

k Luke xi. 13.