XVI.-Sanctification.

To be sanctified, or made holy, as to be justified or made righteous and just, is an admission that a time has been when we were neither holy, righteous, nor just; but that when, in the progress of a religious life, we become sensible of a moral change in the structure of our minds, as it is a proof of acquired holiness on the grounds of a sound faith, so is it the consummation and glory of the Divine life of the advanced Christian. As we travel step by step in the several stages of our blessed Saviour's passion, and no sooner acquire one grace than another is presented to our view, the earnest desire of attaining the prize of our high calling augments with our progress in the Christian course, and attains to something resembling a confident expectation of success, according to the new, and more accurate views of religion, which, from time to time, influence our understandings. I speak not this in any confidence of boasting, but in the spirit of the apostle, when he found himself elevated in mind on a retrospection of the past, and an happy anticipation of the future. "For I know that this shall turn to my salvation, through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation, and my hope." I dwell upon the ex

pression, "earnest expectation," in the original language, with peculiar satisfaction, as implying a most emphatic and encouraging interpretation; namely, that intentness of look, that stretched out head', which is the natural posture accompanying a very natural feeling when we are waiting and watching for the expected arrival of a dear and valued friend.

If we once were babes in Christ, our religious experience becomes expanded with our growth; and we are, or ought to be strengthened in the inner, as in the outer, man, when we arrive at, or pass beyond, the period of our maturity. Our latter days indeed, from the opportunities which we have possessed, ought to be golden days in religion. If we have survived the age of ignorance, and are no longer "unskilful in the word of righteousness," we are placed still higher in the scale of being, and, through the mercy and goodness of God, have higher, happier, and still more glorious prospects before us.

To apprehend this change in a more lively manner, we must not forget the ordeal through which we have past, we must look back to that era when the thoughts of our hearts were only evil continually; and though some part of this evil may still cleave to us in days of darkness, yet as the comfort of God's Spirit shines more and more unto the perfect day, the illumination of the confirmed Christian will show that, however

1 аπоKaρadoκιa. Vide Parkhurst, in verbum.

difficult the contest may have been, the warfare will be accomplished by the hand of him who is mighty to save, and is ready to afford deliverance to every captive of sin.

The word sanctification includes not only the spiritual mind, which sanctifies our actions, but every holy fruit which flows from a firm belief of the Gospel. The distinction is necessary, as the term good-works may be construed to imply specific acts of goodness, as distinguished from each other; but the term sanctification affords a more comprehensive meaning, a complete habit of goodness, a holy and general consistency of conduct, emanating from a right position of the heart, resting on the whole principle of Gospel-righteousness. A moment's thought will show us the value of this distinction. For instance; alms-giving, honourable feelings in public and in private life, the sympathy of good-will, a pleasing intercourse with the world, and many other amiable and inoffensive qualities, are well received, and are considered as letters of recommendation in every society. But have they not been found consistent with many parts of conduct, which, if not applauded, have not been reprobated, and condemned, in assemblies of the most polished and refined? Have not seductions the most artful, and enmities the most bitter, been found compatible with these simulating qualities of man? Have they suppressed duelling; or turned aside the arrow of bitter calumny that flieth in darkness? To such

outward imitations of virtue, the term sanctification would be ill-applied. For, as even these have an heaven-born origin, it is the misdirection of them only which we condemn; for when turned to their proper use, they take their place in the order of Christian faith, and contribute to the perfection of the Christian character.

The conclusion of our argument is this, in the words of a sound Divine :-" we are justified, or freed, and acquitted from sin, by faith only, but besides justification, there is a sanctification, with the works of piety towards God, and righteousness towards men, as the fruits, yea, as the end of our justification, required to eternal life. For therefore are we justified, that we might do works acceptable to our heavenly Father, through the imputation of the righteousness of Christ (which of ourselves we could not), and so obtain the reward he promised to the doers of them '."

This is plain language, and needs only the leading of the Spirit to understand it well; and when understood, to fulfil the terms of such glorious instruction. The proof of our being sanctified is an unvaried consistent life of Christian piety: a mind always intent on fulfilling the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things: an heart resisting wickedness under every shape; an understanding, bent to the will of God and the humble acceptance of every Gospel-truth: a grateful warmth towards the Saviour of man for his 1 Joseph Mede's Disc. 26.

mercy and loving-kindness in becoming a sacrifice for our sins; for the means of grace and for the hope of glory. May every pious Christian possess these blessed distinctions;-for, "such honour have all his saints!" and "of such is the kingdom of heaven !"

XVII.-The Last Supper of our Lord.

THE separation of friends, particularly their last separation, is generally attended with such expressions of love and affection, as are calculated to make a strong impression upon the mind. The separation of the blessed Jesus from his beloved disciples, was of this description. Their last meeting in one body, previous to the melancholy scene of his crucifixion, was affecting in the highest degree. His last heavenly conversation with them was at that moment hanging upon his lips, and the effusion of his holy prayer for them was ready to be poured out with all the pure feelings of fervency and zeal. His heart was indeed full, and overflowed with tenderness-not merely personal, as in the case of common friends, but prophetically foreseeing the sufferings to which they would be exposed in the extensive field in which they would be employed; breaking up the fallow ground of sin, converting and new-modelling the sinner's heart, producing, as it were, a new face of nature by preaching the Gospel of salvation.