DISCOURSE VII.

ST. JOHN, i. 12.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.

HAVING in a former discourse explained what is meant by "coming to Christ," and in my last, in what manner the Saviour may be understood as coming to us, I shall now set forth the privileges, the power, and the blessedness of those who believe in, and receive Christ. And while we are contemplating this sublime subject, may I be enabled, by the divine aid, both to benefit my own soul and those who hear me! But I shall first inquire, Have we in faith and sincerity really come to Christ? And have we in the same spirit received him? If indeed we have, let us dwell awhile on the proofs or test of our having so received him, and then consider the privileges of the true Christian. First, The most distinguishing mark is in our resemblance to Christ, and constantly aiming to be

like our divine master, following his example and obeying his precepts. And as the Saviour's characteristic is love, and he has proved it in the great work of our redemption and dying for us, and is still proving his love from day to day, that each of us here present is a living witness of it, do we show any love to him, or to one another? And as he obeyed his Father's will, are we endeavouring to fulfil the law of Christ? that perfect law of liberty (as St. James calls it), and do we continue therein, not being forgetful hearers, but doers of the work? Such a one will delight in it after the inner man; and he will make it the rule of his life, that he may live to the glory of his God which is, in the first place, the highest privilege of a Christian in this world, and to be allowed to hope and trust that he is accepted and sanctified, and has been really adopted as a child of grace, an heir of glory-as St. Paul saith, "Ye are washed; ye are sanctified-ye are justified in the name of the Lord and by the spirit of our God; and being purified by faith, and made free from sin, we have our fruit unto holiness, and in the end everlasting life." O glorious privileges! what a prospect do they open to our minds! what a subject for our most devout and serious contemplation !

And these, my friends, are not speculative points, but divine realities. Christ hath opened the gate of heaven to us; and we have by him free access daily, hourly, to the throne of grace. We may now ask what we will, and every needful blessing will be granted for Christ hath said, "Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, I will do it." But O, how many slight or do not regard these high privileges; and even of those who profess to feel, and really appear to take delight in communing on heavenly things, how are they content sometimes to feed on husks, while they might participate and enjoy all the rich provisions of their Father's house!-and might attain and possess every spiritual blessing-might sit in heavenly places, and under the clear light of the gospel, like Mary at the feet of Jesus, listen to his words, partake of his grace, and feast, as it were, on heavenly joys even whilst sojourning here below, and might dwell in a constant communion and fellowship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And this is not the assertion of the enthusiast, nor the dream of the visionary, but the privilege, the experience of every true servant of God. And O that it might be the experience of us all! Then would Christ indeed dwell with men-then might we be

living temples of our God; as he hath said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them: and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." O blessed privilege! what an adoption! And this leads me to consider, secondly, the power which is promised, that they "shall have power to become sons of God;" which is, that they shall be born again of the Spirit by the will of Godthey shall be endued with grace and strength to become sons of God; and if sons, then are they heirs-heirs of Godheirs of immortality, and joint-heirs with Christ, that Christ may be all in all. Behold then what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; and we ought to love one another, that we may make it manifest that we have received the Spirit of adoption, thus evincing it in our life. For if we have received the Spirit, we shall live after the Spirit, as sons of God are led by the Spirit; and they will bring forth the fruits of the Spirit-love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance,-proving what is acceptable unto God; constantly endeavouring to be holy, even as he which hath called us is holy. And here I must observe, that the first fruit of the Spirit named by the apostle

is love. And when the heart is really made wise unto salvation, then does it become, as St. James saith, pure, peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated; full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. And then does the Christian love God supremely, and his brethren as himself; keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and unless this love is perfected and abounding in us, there can be no dwelling of the Holy Spirit with us; but, on the contrary, contention and strife, and every evil work. Beloved, then try every spirit whether it be of God; for he who is really born from above, hath the witness in himself and hereby we know that we abide in him, and he in us, by the Spirit which he giveth. And to him that hath, shall be given an abundance of grace if he improve the gift that is in him, till he come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man-unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. And as the highest perfection of man must be in assimilating as near as possible to the divine nature, and as we know, and the scripture assures us, that "God is love:" then does it follow that we must be made perfect in love, and evince our love by gratitude and praise