to enjoy; for until this is the case, though he has visits in a measure of God's goodness, yet there is something wanting, and that is the blood of Christ to cleanse his conscience from all guilt, or in other words, a firm persuasion by the Spirit of faith that I am interested in the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ; and until this mercy is communicated to the conscience, there is always something wanting. The poor publican in the temple wanted this mercy; and so did the Psalmist, "Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation." The jailor found his need of the same blessing when he cried out, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" And poor Mary at our Lord's feet, knew the want of this blessing; and so does every poor sinner, as soon as he is taught to know, by feeling, the wretched state he is in.

And the soul will find, that it cannot feel a going-out in thankfulness to God, until he is led to believe that his sin is washed away in the fountain of Christ's blood; neither is there a solid peace in the conscience till there is a beholding the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world; nor can the soul find that nearness to God. But when the set time is come to favour the soul with the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of sins; and God, by his blessed Spirit, leads the soul forth in faith to receive the atonement of Christ, so that the mercy of God is enjoyed; this is a blessed communication to the sensible sinner's heart: this is the balm of Gilead, the saving health of all nations, a sure remedy for the conscience; as John says, "The blood of Christ cleanseth us from all sin." The cause of such a sinner's misery is removed at once, that is, sin, in its filth, and guilt; he finds a nearness to God, as Paul says, "We are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For through him we both," that is, Jew and Gentile, have access by one Spirit unto the Father;" this is the grand blessing that brings us nigh, so as to have peace and joy in believing and sure I am, that where this blessing is made known, a soul will be communicating to God, thanks, and blessings and praises, for such great mercy.

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One thing more that God communicates to a soul is righteousness and as the man is taught by the Spirit, that as a sinner in Adam he is free from righteousness through the fall, and that he never can get admittance into glory without righteousness, and has been taught to know that he has no strength to work one out, and haying life within him he hungers and thirsts for one; the gospel reveals one suited to his need, and the poor creature being condemned by law and conscience for want of one, it is very suitable to such a poor, self-condemned sinner, for the good Spirit to lead him to take a proper view of Christ, as a surety, in his undertaking, and finished work, and to give him a proper view how Christ was made sin for his people, that they might be made the righteousness of God in him; and as a faithful surety he stood in the sinner's law-place, and in man's nature he obeyed the law perfectly; and

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that very obedience is imputed to the sinner that in time believes. It is a righteousness of God's providing; it is a righteousness wrought out by God's co-equal and co-eternal Son, in human nature; it is adequate to the demands of law and justice. Father is well-pleased with it, and it is to and upon all that believe; this is the righteousness that is set forth in the gospel; this, and no other can give us, as sinners, an abundant entrance into the kingdom of God above.

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Now, when the poor soul is, by the Spirit of faith, persuaded that it has an interest in the blood of Christ, by the same Spirit it also is persuaded of an interest in him as the Lord his righteousness; these two things go together; hence some have said that there is an active and a passive obedience, and it is true; and if a man is interested in one, he is in the other. The active obedience of Christ is his life of obedience to the preceptive part of the law, and his passive obedience is his dying in the sinner's room, shedding his precious blood to atone for guilt. Christ has done all this for his elect, hence it is said, "He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearer is dumb so he opened not his mouth." And Peter says, "He bare our sins in his own body on the tree;" and Paul says, "He obtained eternal redemption for us;" so that he is the end of the law for righteousness to all that believe. Now, when God the Holy Spirit leads the soul forth in faith to behold him as the Lord our righteousness, and the good Spirit testifies of his blood and spotless obedience to the conscience, this is what we may call salvation. And thus does God communicate to men from above the mercy-seat, a grand type of Christ, and the soul goes back in heart-felt acknowledgments to God, the donor of such good.

Such a soul passes sensibly from death to life, in this act of believing; he feels peace in his soul, joy in God; the Spirit bears witness to the work, and law, conscience, justice, and all appears on the sinner's side, and the blessed Spirit operates as a Comforter, and by a living faith, the soul sucks out the blessed contents of the promises, and milks out, and is delighted with the abundance of Zion's glory. Such a soul is sealed up to the day of redemption, anointed with the oil of joy, draws near to God, finds sweet access to him, and by the Spirit he feels the love of God in Christ made known to him; the fear of death that he had is removed, and the dreadful tormenting thoughts that racked the sinner's mind are all gone, and his meditation is now sweet; he is spiritually-minded, so that life and peace is felt.

Whilst he remains under this influence, his conversation will be about heavenly things, and the name of Christ is as ointment poured out in his soul; he is satisfied with the Lord's goodness; this is a foretaste of heaven; as Dr. Watts says, it is glory begun below. And now it is that the soul is filled with the high praises of God, and holds sweet communion with God, is really in possession of the

mind of Christ. and walks with God in peace and equity. The mind is most sweetly employed in meditation, the memory retains God's goodness, the will is in sweet submission, the conscience is at peace, the affections are set at God's right hand, so that God is supremely loved, and the understanding understands God's dealings, and the judgment declares it is all right; in humility and love the soul ascends to God; gratitude of heart, and the deepest compunction of soul is felt, astonishment at God's kindness is increased, and the soul feelingly says, "Why have I found grace in thine eyes, seeing I was such a stranger from thee:" sweet meltings of soul are felt, godly sorrow and repentance are exercised; and the scripture is fulfilled, where it is is said, Then shall ye remember your own evil ways that were not good; and ye shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your abominations, when I am pacified towards you, after all that you have done, saith the Lord God." Such a soul as this, has communion with God in these displays of love and mercy, and with the dear Redeemer in his suffering circumstances; or, as Paul says, he has fellowship with him in his sufferings; and he has communion with the Holy Spirit by the witness that he bears, the comfort that is felt, the joy that is experienced, and the constraints of eternal love which he sheds abroud in the heart.

Now, by the above things we see the benefits of Christ, as our ark and our mercy seat. Were it not for God's love, we should never be thus favored; and were it not for Christ Jesus, we should never have one of these blessings, consequently we should never have any communion with God. God's Spirit, and all grace are, you see, communicated to us through Christ, as a channel. The Spirit comes, and the Spirit communicates grace, such as fear, light, life, faith, hope and love, patience, meekness, true humility, godly sorrow, and repentance. Mercy is displayed in pardoning sin, in righteousness to cover us, and to justify us, in peace of conscience, in love to God, in rest for our souls, and in comfort and joy, a fresh supply of grace, and in heaven at last. Oh! the goodness of God to such poor wretches as we! Oh! the love of

Christ, undertaking our cause, and dying to redeem us! Oh! the love of the Spirit, to teach us to know our want of all these things, and for leading us to have communion with God! Yes, Sirs, such souls are saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation; and without these things not a soul can be saved, for I must be regenerated by God's Spirit, and by that holy agent made holy, or have a meetness for glory. I must be washed in the blood of Christ from all my sins; and I must also be covered with his righteousness; for no unholy, unclean, unrighteous person can ever gain admittance into the celestial regions of eternal day, as saith God in his word; "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord," and there is no holiness but by the Spirit of grace. "The righteous nation that keepeth the truth shall enter in." The

Saviour says they shall enter into life eternal, and shall shine forth as the sun in the glory of their Father's kingdom, for ever and ever. But the wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."

And, lastly, no unclean persons shall enter, but all that are washed in the blood of the Lamb shall. Oh! what a mercy to be thus blest! Let death come when it may, such a soul will be for ever happy, and at the last day shall be publicly owned and honoured by the Saviour, before men and devils, and they shall hear this glorious sentence, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from before the foundation of the world" and will be favoured with sweet communion with the Three in One to all eternity. God, in tender mercy, favour you with more of this communion from above, this glorious mercy-seat in this world, that you may be found among this highly favoured number at last, if God permit, for his name and mercy's sake, through his dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ; to whom be all glory and praise ascribed, now, and for evermore. Amen and amen.