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in the scriptures for practical sanctification and holinefs, are built. Hence John speaks thus, "He that saith he abideth "in him ought himself also to walk even "as he walked." Peter saith, "As he "who hath called you is holy, so be ye "holy in all manner of conversation. "Because it is written, be ye holy, for I "am holy." Paul says, "Follow peace "with all men, and holinefs, without "which no man shall see the Lord.” And in his Epistle to the Colofsians he most sweetly excites believers to the exercise of their graces in an outward manifestative way towards each other, saying, "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of

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mercies, kindnefs, humblenefs of mind, "meeknefs, long-suffering; forbearing "one another, and forgiving one an"other, if any man have a quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave

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you, so also do ye. And above all "these things put on charity, which is "the bond of perfectnefs. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to

the which also ye are called in one "body; and be ye thankful. Let the "word of Christ dwell in you richly in "all wisdom; teaching and admonish"ing one another, in psalms and hymns "and spiritual songs, singing with grace "in your hearts to the Lord. And

"whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do "all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

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giving thanks to God, and the Fa"ther by him." The Holy Ghost puts life into these exhortations, which are perfectly spiritual and evangelical; and applies and makes them effectual to the sanctified in Christ Jesus. He draws their minds off all other considerations, and fixes them on Christ and spiritual things. He sweetly inglines their wills, and most powerfully influences them to the putting on of the new man, as their proper garment, in the exercise of every grace in their walk before God and

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O my soul! meditate on this subject. Seek for a growing acquaintance with it, that thou mayest live, think, speak, and act under the influence of it, and turn the whole of it for thyself into prayer. O God the Spirit! thou art efsential in thy personality and co-equality with the Father and the Son, the one living and incomprehensible Jehovah. Thou art, in thy covenant-office and work, God the sanctifier, the spirit of life, of holinefs, of Christ, and glory. Thou hast conveyed life to my soul from Christ the fountain of it; in whom all the springs of it are contained. Thou hast separated me by thy holy and effectual calling to the Lord. Thou hast made me a

new creature in CHRIST JESUS. Thou hast wrought in it all spiritual graces, and implanted therein all the seeds and principles of holiness and life everlasting. Shine, Holy Ghost! on thy own work in my soul. Draw forth thy graces implanted in me into constant act and exercise. Give me a clear view and apprehension of my union with Christ, and of my state in him; and lead me into fellowship with him in the blefsings, benefits, and glories of his resurrection. As Christ is the life of all my grace and spirituality, teach me how to live continually on him, that I may in all things live to him.

Do thou, O Holy Ghost! strengthen what thou hast wrought in me. Quicken, lead, guide, and continually influence me; that God in Christ may in me and by me be glorified in all things. Sanctify my will by the belief of the truth. Enable me to exercise every grace, that I may so walk in thy good ways, that sinners may have no evil thing justly to say against me, that saints may be edified, and Christ magnified. O Holy Father! I believe thou dost, as the God of peace, (who art at peace with all thou seest in the beloved through the blood of his crofs) sanctify thy church by the blood of thy Son and the grace of thy Spirit, I beseech thee to sanctify

me wholly in body, soul, and spirit. Keep me blameless in life, temper, and conversation unto the coming of Christ to receive me at death to his everlasting embraces. In health, in sickness, in life, and in death, let me be wholly devoted to thee. In life let me be kept living on Christ; and at death let me be found looking unto him. And the praise shall be given to thee, O thou Holy and Eternal Three! Amen.

CHAP. IX.

On Growth in Grace. What it consists in, and how it is manifested;—the way in which it is increased, and carried on in fellowship with God: with the knowledge which the Believer hath of it by comparing his experience with the word, which treats on that subject.

WE

E have taken a view of and treated on the office and work of the Holy Ghost in the regenerate and called people of God; in which he has been considered as the great and divine agent of their regeneration, effectual calling, conversion, sanctification, and personal holiness; who hath wrought all their works in and for them, and whose continued influence is the cause of their final perseverance, till grace is swallowed up in glory. Regeneration produces conversion. The former is the act of God within us and upon us: the latter is our act towards God. We being turned by the Lord return to him. In conformity with this acknowledged truth the prophet prays, "Turn thou us "O Lord! and we shall be turned." Personal, internal, practical sanctification, godlinefs, and gospel holiness are the fruits and effects of spiritual regene

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