laws, being able to save and to destroy; yea, to punish with everlasting destruction from his presence, and from the glory of his power. It is the eternal Wisdom of the Father, who knoweth whereof we are made, and understands our inmost frame; who knows how we stand related to God, to one another, to every creature which God hath made; and consequently how to adapt every law he prescribes, to all the circumstances wherein he hath placed us. It is he who is loving unto every man, whose mercy is over all his works: the God of love, who having emptied himself of his eternal glory, is come forth from his Father, to declare his will to the children of men, and then, goeth again to the Father who is sent of God to open the eyes of the blind, to give light to them that sit in darkness. It is the great Prophet of the Lord, concerning whom God hath solemnly declared long ago, whosoever will not hearken unto my words, which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. Or, as the apostle expresses it, Every soul which will not hear that Prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

And what is it which he is teaching? The Son of God, who came from heaven, is here shewing us the way to heaven, to the place which he hath prepared for us, the glory he had before the world began. He is teaching us the true way to life everlasting, the royal way which

leads to the kingdom. And the only true way; for there is none besides: all other paths lead to destruction. From the character of the speaker we are well assured, that he hath declared the full and perfect will of God. He hath uttered not one tittle too much; nothing more than he had received of the Father. Nor too little ; he hath not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God. Much less hath he uttered any thing wrong, any thing contrary to the will of him that sent him. All his words are true and right, concerning all things, and shall stand fast for ever and ever.

Sermon on Matt. v. 1, 2, 3, 4.

OUTWARD MEANS INEFFECTUAL WITHOUT THE SPIRIT AND GRACE OF CHRIST.

We allow, that all outward means whatever, if separate from the spirit of God, cannot profit at all, cannot conduce in any degree, either to the knowledge or love of God. Without controversy, the help that is done upon earth, he doth it himself. It is he alone, who by his almighty power, worketh in us what is pleasing in his sight. And all outward things, unless he work in them and by them, are mere weak and beggarly elements. Whosoever therefore imagines, there is any intrinsic power, in any means whatsoever, does greatly err, not knowing the

seriptures, neither the power of God. We know that there is no inherent power, in the words that are spoken in prayer; in the letters of scripture read, the sound thereof heard, or the bread and wine received in the Lord's supper; but that it is God alone who is the giver of every good gift; the author of all grace; that the whole power is of him, whereby through any of these, there is any blessing conveyed to our soul. We know likewise, that he is able to give the same grace, though there was no means on the face of the earth. In this sense we may affirm, that with regard to God, there is no such thing as means: seeing he is equally able to work whatsoever pleaseth him, by any, or by none at all.

We allow farther, that the use of all means whatever, will never atone for one sin; that it is the blood of Christ alone, whereby any sinner can be reconciled to God; there being no other propitiation for our sins, no other fountain for sin and uncleanness. Every believer in Christ is deeply convinced, that there is no merit but in him: that there is no merit in any of his own works: not in uttering the prayer, or searching the scripture, or hearing the word of God, or eating of that bread and drinking of that cup. So that if no more be intended by the expression some have used, "Christ is the only means of grace," than this, that he is the only meritorious cause of it, it

cannot be gain-said by any who know the grace of God.

Sermon on Mal. iii. 7.

DIRECTIONS FOR USING DIVINE ORDINANCES.

Before you use any means, let it be deeply impressed on your soul, "There is no power in this. It is in itself a poor, dead, empty thing: Separate from God; it is a dry leaf, a shadow.— Neither is there any merit in my using this; nothing intrinsically pleasing to God, nothing whereby I deserve any favour at his hands, no, not a drop of water to cool my tongue.

But

because God bids, therefore, I do; because he directs me to wait in his way, therefore here I wait for his free mercy, whereof cometh my salvation."

Settle this in your heart, that the opus operatum, the mere work profiteth nothing: That there is no power to save, but in the Spirit of God; no merit, but in the blood of Christ: That consequently, even what God ordains, conveys no grace to the soul, if you trust not in him alone, On the other hand, he that does truly trust in him, cannot fall short of the grace of God, ven though he were cut off from every outward ordinance, though he were shut up in the centre of the earth.

In using all means, seek God alone. In and through every outward thing, look singly to the power of his Spirit, and the merits of his Son Beware you do not stick in the work itself: if you do, it is all lost labour. Nothing short of God can satisfy your soul. Therefore eye him, in all, through all, and above all.

Remember also to use all means, as means: As ordained, not for their own sake, but in order to the renewal of your soul in righteousness and true holiness. If therefore they actually tend to this, well. But if not, they are dung and dross After you have used any of these, take care how you value yourself thereon: How you congratulate vourself, as having done some great thing. This is turning all into poison. Think, "If God was not there, what does this avail? Have I not been adding sin to sin? How long! O Lord! save or I perish! O lay not this sin to my charge!" If God was there, if his love flowed into your heart, you have forgot, as it were, the outward work. You see, you know, you feel, God is All in All.-Be abased. Sink down before him. all the praise.

Give him

Sermon on Mal. iii. 7.