own nature inclined to evil, so that the flesh lusteth always contrary to the spirit." And in the Tenth, "The condition of man after the fall of Adam is such, that he cannot turn and prepare himself, by his own natural strength and good works, to faith and calling (invocationem) upon God," etc. And again, in the Thirteenth, "Works done before the grace of Christ, and the inspiration of his Spirit, are not pleasant to God, forasmuch as they spring not of faith in Jesus Christ, neither do they make men meet to receive grace-yea rather, for that they are not done as God hath willed and commanded them to be done, we doubt not but they have the nature of sin." These are the solemn and deliberate sentiments of the Church of England; and give me leave to say, she acknowledges not any as members of her body, who do not firmly believe them. But the Scriptures go further, and deny that any man is a Christian who is not governed by a conscientious persuasion that they are true!

This is a dismal picture; but God hath sent a glorious light from heaven to dissipate the gloom-he hath announced glad tidings to mankind, thus naturally helpless; he hath laid help upon one that is mighty and able to save ;--he hath declared his love to sinners, "even when they were dead in sins" (Eph. ii. 4, 5;) the kindness and divine philanthropy have appeared in God's giving "his only-begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him might not perish, but have eternal life." The word of God has proclaimed a Saviour for the helpless-JESUS! who "came into the world to

save sinners”—who "hath reconciled his people unto God by his blood;" and "hath obtained," by his obedience unto death in their behalf, "eternal redemption for them."-" He hath magnified the law for them, and made it honorable," having performed every thing which it required, in the way of doing; and having endured every thing it denounced, in the way of suffering. And now is the word of his salvation to be promulgated; and all men are to be directed to that testimony which bears witness of the all-sufficiency of his work-the perfect complacency of Jehovah in his righteousness: and his appointed witnesses the Apostles declare, as He himself declared, and as his Prophets before declared, to man, fallen, polluted, helpless, dead in trespasses and sins, incapable of spiritual act or affection-FULL, FREE, EVERLASTING, UNCONDITIONAL, forgiveness of sins!! My friends, whoever is given to believe that their testimony is true, "is passed from death unto life" (John, v. 24;) v. 24;) "from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God" (Acts, xxvi. 18;) such" shall never perish," saith the Lord, "neither shall any pluck them out of my hand" (John, x. 28.)

What a brilliant prospect opens here! Before the Spirit of truth-"Lo! the winter is past-the rain is over and gone—the flowers appear on the earth-the time of singing is come--the fig-tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell" (Solomon's Song, ii. 11, 12, 13.) A new creation springs forth under the hand of God; and

they who in their unregeneracy were neither able to believe, repent, worship, or please Him, being persuaded by demonstration of the Spirit that the Gospel is the truth of God, experience a power to which they were strangers before; and their subsequent history is the developement of faith and of the new mind, in the way of prayer and of obedience.

These are the spiritual privileges of the Lord's redeemed-this honour have all his saints-these things can they do.

II. They can believe, for "unto them is given in the behalf of Christ, to believe upon his name" (Phil. i. 29.)—They can repent; for in the intelligent perception of Christ crucified for the sins of the ungodly, their minds are necessarily changed, and Jesus stands forth to their view in a new light--the character of God is revealed in a new light-sin is exhibited in a new light their own character is manifested in a new light—a new light is shed upon the things of time— and the eternal world is disclosed in its blessedness and glory, in a light altogether new. "Behold all things are become new"-by the energy of the Eternal Spirit, they are made new creatures, with new minds, and hearts, and spirits-with new hopes and desires -new pleasures and occupations-a new relationship is formed between God and the soul; access unto the throne of grace having been opened by a new and living way (2 Cor. v. 17; Rom. xii. 2; Ezek. xxxvi. 26; Col. i. 23, 27; 1 Pet. i. 8; Rom. xv. 13; Heb. ix. 14; 1 John iii. 1; Heb. x. 19, 20.)

They can pray. It is written concerning those who believe the Gospel, that unto them is given the privilege to become the sons of God (John i. 12;) "and because they are sons, God sends forth the Spirit of his Son into their hearts, crying Abba Father; the Spirit also bearing witness with their spirits that they are the children of God" (Gal. iv. 6; Rom. viii. 16.) Who but the children of the Highest can understand, much less appreciate, the unspeakable privilege of "coming boldly unto the throne of grace, to find mercy, and grace to help in time of need" (Heb. iv. 16.) Who but they who have enjoyed it can describe or estimate the blessedness of having the ear of the Omniscient and Almighty ever open to their prayers and who that has ever been permitted to enter into his presence, and has tasted that he is gracious, but feels the truth expressed in these lines :

"Prayer was appointed to convey

The blessings God designs to give;

And with full conviction of soul acknowledges the rule laid down in those which follow,

Long as they live should Christians pray,
For only while they pray, they live."

As his life is a life of faith, so is it of prayer --in public and in private, it is his ruling habit—in the Church,

in the social circle of his brethren in Christ—in the family, and in the secrecy of his solitude---yea, and in the world, he who has received the new mind in believing the Gospel prays always. As it is the habit of the soul rather than the expression of words, times or circumstances do not prevent its exercise. He can pray-blessed, blessed liberty! O for more of this spirit! by which the child of God is familiarized with things unseen-by which the arm of Jehovah is made bare for his defence-and by which, safety in his conflict with sin is secured.

They can walk in the way of obedience.

"The

love of Christ constrains them to live not unto themselves, but unto Him who died for them, and rose again" (2 Cor. v. 14.)" Having been "made willing in the day of His power," (Psalm cx. 3) and having been endued with a principle of attachment, they endeavour to ascertain the will of God, and having ascertained it, do it. What does experience testify respecting them? Who are the self-denying, conscientious, simple-minded, active "doers of the word," but they who are persuaded of the truth of the Gospel -but they who know, by the Spirit's teaching, that there is full, perfect, unconditional redemption, in the finished work of Jesus, for the chief of sinners? Who, on the other hand, are the self-willed, the compromising, the careless, and the formal, but those who, being ignorant of Christ, of God, and of themselves, despise the glad tidings testified by the Lord's chosen witnesses, and " go about to establish a righteousness