fulness, and power, as we state that effectual calling comprises,

II. The knowledge of God as a Redeemer. While the covenant of grace embodies the whole scheme and materials of redemption, all that concerns either the Redeemer or the redeemed from the first awakening principle of grace to its consummation in glory; it is important to every awakened sinner that he know the medium through which that grace is available, and the ground on which he dare hope to receive it. That the promise therefore might be sure to all the seed, the Father invested all the dispensation of it in the hands of his Son, who is "the surety of that covenant" in whom we have redemption through his blood," and "by whom we have access by faith into the grace wherein

we stand."

There are two leading features in the redemption of Christ-mercy and grace; and they provide a remedy for the two principal exigencies of an awakened sinner. He requires mercy for the pardon of his sin, grace for the subjugation of it; for a child of God as ardently desires a deliverance from the power of sin, as he does from the guilt of it. This hope then is made over and secured to all believers in the redemption of Christ.

This medium of approach and acceptance with God were proclaimed in type in every generation, until the Christian era; it was a covenant by sacrifice. The first blood that was spilt on the ground was the blood of a sacrifice. The sacrifice of lambs, and bulls, and goats, continued in all ages, till the blood of Christ was shed, "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." This is the word of the grace of God. Now see the working of grace as developed in the effectual calling of the church. In conversion, which is the time when a sinner is called to the knowledge of God, in the hour of penitential sorrow, and heart-brokenness for sin, to what are his eyes first directed? what first relieves his mind or melts his heart? It is a believing view of the cross of Christ-atonement by blood. This draws him off every other dependence, every other hope; it takes away his false props and vain confidences, and gives him rest and peace. The cross of Christ becomes the repose of his soul for ever. What time in after life he is afraid, he puts his trust in him. Is he weak? there he is strong. In seasons of darkness, there he has light. His Redeemer and his Saviour is the Lord who is his light and his salvation.

And was David one whit behind any of the saints of God in his experience of grace? On the

contrary, are not his Psalms a rich treasure-house unto all who believe, from whence they gather much strength and consolation? As face answers face in a glass, so does the Christian's heart to the heart of David. David's Lord was a Redeemer and a Saviour to him, and he knew it, and he praised God and blessed him for it. "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed." (Ps. ciii. 1-6.) Does he not here speak the language and the feelings of every child of God? Was David taught by grace to make a covenant with God by sacrifice? so are they. Did he make the Lord his trust when in trouble for sin, "Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean: wash me and I shall be whiter than snow?" so do they. Was the Lord at all times the stay and the strength of his soul? so is Christ unto them, "for to them that believe he is precious. Did David rejoice in the joys of his Lord? so

do they rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

Effectual calling, then, is the revelation of God, as a covenant God, a Saviour and a Redeemer to the heirs of salvation. The character of which precious work is pourtrayed as well in the experience of David as in that of he church of Christ.

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SERMON III.

ALL CHRISTIANS ARE THE ANOINTED OF THE LORD, BY THE HOLY GHOST.

1 SAMUEL Xvi. 13.

And the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.

EFFECTUAL calling and eternal life are inseparably united together. The gift of God is eternal life, and they who are called, then, and there, receive the promise of it. "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his (Christ's) own blood, he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh; how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to