those graces in the heart which most exalt God, debase man, and bring men to the lowest subjection to their Creator. Such is the doctrine of justifying faith."

May this jewel of the Reformation never be covered with the worthless paint of human invention, but ever shine in all our churches with its native lustre.

Christ is the enricher of the believing soul. He is the pearl of great price. It is not the hand which receives an offered treasure that makes the receiver rich, but the treasure itself. So neither do works, nor any act of faith justify us, but Christ Himself whom we apprehend. And this faith, be it weak or strong, is yet able to receive the righteousness of Christ, just as a palsied hand may receive a jewel from a king, as truly, though not so firmly, as the hand which is sound. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God, and receive a new and divine life in our souls.

Peace of conscience, tranquillity of mind, strength to resist sin, delight in holiness, and the hope of glory, are some of the precious fruits of faith. Love accompanies faith, as the light does the sun, and faith working by love evidences our adoption into the family of God, and proves that we are truly born from above.

"The kingdom of grace," as an old writer beautifully observes, "is the suburbs of the kingdom of glory; he therefore who walks not through the suburbs shall never enter into the holy city. A man must be in the kingdom of grace, or else he shall never be admitted into the kingdom of

glory. No grace, no glory. glory. No holiness, no happiness. No regeneration, no heaven, nor heavenly honour. For, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God, neither in this world, nor in the world to come.

"It is then an infallible sign of holiness, when a man doth more and more strive against his own unbelief, and labours continually to draw nearer and nearer unto God by holiness.

"To feel our inward corruptions, to desire a deliverance from them, to avoid occasions of sin, to be angry with ourselves for our sinning, is an evidence that the Spirit of God hath taken possession of our hearts, and hath begun to work a most happy change within us.

"Where these graces are, there is also the God of grace, the spirit of grace, a man of grace, a true dying unto sin, and a living unto God. Sin is dismounted, the soul is renewed, for God's image is restored."

Thus all who are justified, are sanctified, and shall be finally glorified. The renewal of our nature is so essential to happiness, and so indispensably requisite as a preparation for heaven, that without it we cannot be saved.

The pure in heart only shall see God: they shall see his face; they shall dwell in his presence; and reign with him for ever and ever.

How bright is the glory which encircles the cross of Christ.-There, all the divine perfections meet and harmonize.-There the robe of righteousness is imparted to every believing sinner.

With the fullest assurance of hope, the bless

ed Apostle felt his personal interest in this righteousness of the Redeemer; and could say with unwavering confidence: "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

Happy Paul! who in the midst of all his sufferings could thus realize his union to Christ by faith.

Are we, like him, crucified with Christ, and become dead to sin and to the world? Does Christ live in us by his Spirit? Are we daily living a life of faith in the Son of God? Can we, with sweet assurance say : "Who loved me, and gave

himself for me?

This believing appropriation of the Saviour's merits, is the spring of comfort,-the root of holiness.

This blessedness St. Paul experienced, when Jesus revealed himself in all the fulness of his grace. Under every varying scene of life we also shall partake of this felicity, if with him we can say: "The love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead, and that he died for all, that they which live, should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them and rose again.”

O how peaceful and fruitful is the believer, when daily living under the influence of the constraining love of Christ.

It is the love of Christ, felt and enjoyed, which softens the roughness of life, and smooths

the ruggedness of the way to glory. Sin produces thorns which pierce the heart with many sorrows, but Jesus, by removing the evil, fills the soul with gladness. When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? As the heart knoweth its own bitterness, so a stranger doth not intermeddle with its joy.

How humbling is the language, how selfabasing are the feelings of the believing sinner, when contemplating these wonders of redeeming love.

Methinks I hear such an one thus pouring out his heart in secret :

I am indeed a guilty, corrupt, and ruined creature, unable to appease a justly offended God, or make the least atonement for my violations of his law. I am in myself helpless and hopeless. Ah! whither then shall I turn my eyes for suc

cour?

Can any of my fellow mortals deliver me out of the wretched condition, into which I am plunged, through original and actual transgression? They are all gone out of the way; they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no not one.

Shall I turn my eyes towards the angelic host, and crave the assistance of the highest seraphim ? It is hopeless expectation. I have sinned against an infinite God, who demands an infinite satisfaction. They are creatures like myself, and have nothing infinite to offer.

To whom then must I look ?-May I for a moment hope, that the Infinite God, before whom

the angels veil their faces, will condescend to save me from merited destruction, by giving the required satisfaction to his own adorable perfections?

But how can God, who is a spirit, make atonement for my sins, since he has declared, "Without shedding of blood there is no remission." Will the Eternal Jehovah stoop so low, as to take upon him my nature, and suffer in my stead? Will He become a son of man, that I may be made a child of God?" Hear, O ye heavens, and give ear O earth-for the Lord hath done it."

Such condescending mercy could never have been conceived by men or angels, had not God himself revealed this mystery of love in the Volume of his grace. His own arm has brought salvation. He hath visited and redeemed his people. He hath magnified the Law, and made it honourable. He is become THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS; the justifier of the ungodly.

O wonder of wonders!

"Not to be thought on, but with tides of joy, Not to be mention'd, but with shouts of praise."

O rich revelation of mercy! "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. Jesus, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself,