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lished within us that will assimilate us to God and prepare us for heaven, only by an almighty power.

But it is also a dictate of reason, as well as a declaration of the word of God, that, treating us as reasonable and accountable agents, "his Spirit will not always strive with man." If we neglect and despise his warnings-if we disregard his admonitions-if we resist his holy and renovating influences-if, when he would convince us of our guilt, we quench the conviction in sensual gratifications-if, when he would redeem us from the dominion of unholy passions, we cling to the indulgence of them as our highest happiness-if, when he would restore the image of God in our souls, we are insensible of the glory and value of the gift, and prefer remaining under the degrading dominion of the principles and passions of our fallen nature-if we thus resist and grieve him, can we expect that he will force on us blessings which we despise-that by miraculous energy he will convert us! Oh! how great is their presumption and folly, who suppose that, while wilfully impenitent, that, while obstinately persevering in the ways of sin, they will enjoy the pure and renovating presence of the Holy Spirit of God!

Brethren, divine grace is tendered to us, to redeem us from our miserable bondage to sin; and shall we not ask, with earnestness and perseverance, for the inestimable gift-for the means of purifying our nature, and exalting it to immortal holiness and glory? Is the blessed Spirit of God, with all his divine graces and consolations, waiting to take possession of our hearts-even condescending to sue for admittance into themand shall we disregard his solicitations? Who can

describe the guilt of resisting and grieving the Spirit of God? Yet this aggravated guilt he incurs, who continues in sin, in bondage to the world. That he may be redeemed from the evils of his corrupt nature, that he may be sanctified and restored to the favour of God, and fitted for immortal felicity, it is required that he earnestly seek the aids of divine grace, that he submit himself to its guidance, that, by sincere penitence and lively faith, he cherish its sacred influences; and the impenitent sinner not only refuses to implore the influence of this divine Sanctifier, but, obstinately continuing in sin, resists, and grieves, and does despite to him.

Will almighty Power be always thus resisted? Spirit of God, shall thy grace be always thus contemned? Ah! "God will arise to judgment:" he will "avenge himself of his adversaries." "Today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts."

Christians, who have improved to your conversion from sin, and establishment in piety and virtue, the sanctifying grace of God, take heed lest, by inattention, or by confidence and presumption, ye fall into sin, and grieve the Holy Ghost whose temple ye are. Remember, the only evidence you have yourselves, the only proof you can give to the world of your change of nature, of the presence of the Holy Spirit within you, is your bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit in holiness and righteousness of life. Watch and pray, then, lest ye fall into temptation, and forfeit your claim to his holy guidance and aids.

3. Lastly. It is the office of the Holy Spirit to console and succour us; and in this respect we

may grieve him, when, depending on the world and our own resolution, we contemn his consolations and succours.

Most absurd, indeed, and criminal, when almighty Power is ready to succour us, to depend on our own strength, which has so often failed us!when the ineffable consolations of the Divine Comforter are offered us, to rely on the world, which has so often proved vain and deceitful! To him who sincerely implores his succour, the Holy Ghost will prove a spirit of counsel in difficulty, of strength in temptation, of light in darkness, of courage and zeal under every difficulty. The soul that ardently desires to partake of his consolations, the Holy Ghost will visit with that peace of mind which passeth all understanding, which the world cannot give nor take away.

Christians, let us then, in our warfare with our spiritual foes, arm ourselves with the invincible power of the Spirit of God. Let us, in all our sorrows and trials, flee for consolation to the blessed Comforter, the Fountain of living waters, disregarding the vain and disappointing comforts of the world. Let us not impiously distrust the grace and mercy of our divine Guide and Comforter, and, when an almighty arm is stretched out to defend us, rely on the arm of flesh. "Grieve not the

Holy Spirit of God."

Christian brethren, how great is the honour to which we are called, that we should be the subjects of the grace of God, the temple in which his Spirit dwells! What purity and circumspection, what zeal and holiness should distinguish and elevate us! Shall we defile the temple of God? "If any man defile the temple of God," saith the apostle,

"him will God destroy." In our natural estate, blind and erring, ignorant of the will of God, averse to his authority and laws, in bondage to sin and misery, with what gratitude should we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, designed to restore us from this miserable state, and to exalt us into the light of divine truth, into the holiness and the happiness of heaven! With what humble and grateful zeal and diligence should we submit to his inspection, follow his guidance, and seek his gracious influences in the worship and ordinances of his church, and especially in that supper, in which we this day commemorate his advent! If we resist, and grieve, and do despite to him, what plea shall we urge, at the tribunal of final judgment, against our condemnation? Almighty aid was offered us, and we refused it. Infinite wisdom undertook to guide us: we chose rather the erring lights of our own reason. Divine grace was seeking admission into our souls, to renew and purify them: we chose to remain in slavery to sin; we resisted God's grace, we did despite to his Spirit, we counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith we were sanctified, an unholy thing.

Spirit of God! save us from this consummation of impiety and guilt-blasphemy against theecontempt of thy succours, rejection of thy grace.

SERMON XXXIII.

THE WITNESS OF THE SPIRIT.

ROMANS viii. 16, 17.

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs: heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.

THIS passage exhibits a most interesting view of the exalted condition of Christians. They are "children of God," enjoying the intimate favour of that glorious Being who is possessed of every perfection, and in whose favour substantial and everlasting felicity is to be found. They are "heirs of God," entitled to that inheritance of glory which God from the fulness of his bliss hath prepared for them. They are "joint-heirs with Christ;" associated with him in a title to that glory to which, as the Son of God, in his human nature he is exalted in heaven.

This passage also assures to them these blessings, not only by the testimony of their own hearts, but also by the witness of the Spirit of God. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our Spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ."

Christians! let me at this time call you to contemplate your privileges, as described in the text; and the nature of the testimony by which they are assured to you.

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