ed his churches: We are invited to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.

Our high privileges are not the effects of our own previous choice, but of God's sovereign grace. He has revealed to us those glorious things, which are hidden from millions of our fellow sinners.-Why is it so?-We can only say, "So it seemed good in his sight."

Let us remember, however, that to whom much is given, of them much will be required. The nearer we are brought to God, the farther shali we be banished from him, if we despise his grace. So our Lord says to Capernaum, in which he often preached and wrought miracles; "Thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be cast down to hell; for if the mighty works which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. Therefore it shall be more tolerable for Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee."

III. Among these Ephesians, many were brought near to God by the renovation of their souls after his image.

The Apostle says to them, "In Christ ye are made nigh, for he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath abolished the enmity, to make in himself of twain one new man."

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It was the design of the gospel, not only to unite Jews and Gentiles in one church, but to make them new men, that they might walk in newness of life. Accordingly the Apostle, in the 4th chapter, observes, that they had been taught, as the truth is in Jesus, that they should put off, concerning their former conversation, the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, should be renewed in the spirit of their mind, and should put on the new man, which, after God, is created in righteousness and true holiness." The old man signifies those evil habits which they had long indulged in their Heathenism. The

new man is that life of holiness and righteousness which the gospel requires. This is called true holiness, and a renewal of the spirit, in distinction from those outward forms in which Jews, as well as Heathens, had once rested.

the spirit of the man of the heart, All habitual sin

Now, when we are renewed in mind, and made holy in the hidden then we are brought near to God. ners, how near soever in their visible privileges, are in their hearts far from him. They have in them a carnal mind, which is enmity against God, and will not be subject to his law. They are enemies in their minds by wicked works. They may profess to know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. But true Christians are nigh to God, as they are partakers of his nature, renewed after his image, and conformed to his character.

We may

If the enjoyment of the gospel brings us near to God, the efficacy of the gospel on our souls brings us nearer still; for this assimilates us to him. be near to him in external privileges, and yet be far off in the disposition of our minds. There are those, who draw near to God with their mouths, when their hearts are far from him. If we not only profess the word of truth, but are born of this incorruptible seed-this word, which liveth and abideth for ever, and have purified our souls in obeying the truth; then we may properly be said to be made nigh to God. "While we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with him."" When we dwell in love, we dwell in God and he in us, for he is love."

Let us not content ourselves with a professed and visible nearness to God, but seek a spiritual union with him in a participation of the divine nature. Let us walk with him in the exercise of faith and love, in the contemplation of his perfections, in a sense of his presence, and in the observance of his commands,

When we are renewed in the spirit of the mind and walk in newness of life, we may be said to come nigh to God; for then we are like him, and enjoy communion with him.

IV. This nearness to God farther implies a state of peace with him.

The Apostle here speaks, not only of a reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles, but of a reconciliation of both unto God. "Christ hath abolished the enmity, that he might make in himself of twain one new man --and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross."

As sinners are enemies to God in their minds, so they are objects of his holy displeasure. "He is angry with them every day." And his "salvation is far from them." They say unto God, "Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. "" And a sentence, corresponding with this language of their hearts, is prepared for them ;-" Depart from me, ye workers of iniquity; I know you not." But when they return to God by repentance, then his anger is turned away, and the sentence is revoked. When their enmity is slain, and their self exalting thoughts are humbled, then God receives them graciously and loves them freely; he is merciful to their unrighteousness, and remembers their sins no more. Being justified by faith, they have peace with God through Jesus Christ." They are interested in that gracious. promise, "I will be a God and a Father to you; and ye shall be my sons and daughters."-" There is no condemnation to them, because they are in Christ Jesus, and they walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

This reconciliation is effected "by the blood of” Christ shed on "the cross."-" The chastisement of our peace was laid on him."" He suffered for our sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God." And "God makes us accepted in the Belov

ed."" He is in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses." Happy is the believer thus brought near unto God. "Blessed is the

man, whose transgressions are thus forgiven, and his sins covered. Blessed is the man, to whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile." He looks back with astonishment on his former state of estrangement from God, and on the false security which he felt, while all his sins were unpardoned, and his guilty soul exposed to eternal condemnation. He mediates with thankful admiration on the mercy of God, which has brought him within the sound of the gospel, has awakened his attention to the danger of his condition and to the relief provided, and has given him repentance and the remission of sins. He views with delight the face of a reconciled God, and finds pleasure in the consciousness of a heart reconciled to him. He looks forward with the joy of hope to that day, when he shall be admitted still nearer to God, and shall mingle with saints and angels in his presence, where is fulness of joy and pleasures for ev

ermore.

V. Another circumstance of the nearness mentioned in the text, is access to God in Prayer. "Through Christ reconciling us to God, we both have access unto the Father."

The Jews drew near to God by the sacrifices of beasts; we may come nearer to him by the sacrifice of Christ. Of this the legal sacrifices were but types, and from this they derived all their virtue. And "if the blood of beasts, sprinkling the unclean, sanctified to the purifying of the flesh, How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge our consciences from dead works to serve the living God?"

The high priest under the law, having offered sacrifice for the sins of the people, entered by the blood of this sacrifice into the most holy place, to make inter

cession for them; and while he interceded for them there, they were praying without. But Christ by his own blood has entered into heaven to appear in the presence of God for us; and by his blood we now have boldness to enter into the holiest in that new and living way, which he has consecrated. Since we have such an high priest over the house of God, we may come boldly to his seat, and obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Such is the grace of the gospel, that it calls sinners, under an awakening sense of guilt, to apply unto God, as a God of mercy in Christ Jesus, and gives them reason to hope, that their application will not be in vain. But there is a peculiar sense, in which true believers come nigh to him. They have those promises of assistance and acceptance, which others cannot appropriate. The Apostle says, " Through Christ we have access by faith into this grace, in which we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."-" In him we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him."-"The Spirit helpeth our infirmities, and maketh intercession for us according to the will of God."

What a high privilege do Christians enjoy ?-They come daily to God in prayer and praise. They tell him their wants, thank him for his bounties, and solicit farther supplies. They come to him in the name of a Mediator, who has purchased for them all the blessings which they need. They come to him as a covenant God, who has promised that he will never forsake them.

When they have such a clear and sensible view of God's holiness, wisdom, power and grace, as awakens their pious affections, raises them above earthly things, collects and fixes their thoughts, and excites more ardent desires of heaven, greater aversion to sin, and more active resolutions for duty, then may they be said to draw near to God with the heart. Then they enjoy