the union between a vine and its branches.

Christ is

the root, and we derive sap and nourishment from him. This union is a legitimate source of joy to the believer. "These things," says Christ, "have I spoken unto you that your joy may be full." John xv. 11. Men often make laborious and expensive attempts to obtain a little earthly joy; but I need not say what disappointment follows all such attempts: but here, as from a fountain, you may obtain certain, constant, overflowing, and ever-flowing joy. It is "a spring of water, whose waters fail not." If this is our appointed rest, the ground upon which God comforts us, let not Satan deceive us by leading us to look to any other ground. To know Christ as the way to the Father, and to receive the gift of his Spirit, is the substance of the Bible. Some may be left to their choice, and remain orphans. What a mercy, if God will not suffer us to be orphans, or comfortless, but has engaged our hearts to choose 'the better part!"

3rdly. May not every Christian say, If such are my privileges, then I will build upon this Rock, and leave all consequences? This has nothing to do with a perhaps, or peradventure: but it is, that "the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Really beholding Christ, implies fleeing to him for refuge-calling daily upon him-taking his counsel-trusting his word, and growing up unto him in all things. We can only hold communion with Christ, and walk with him by a living faith. We cannot look upon mankind, nor at our own hearts, without seeing and feeling their total disorder and confusion. But when men presumptuously scoff, and ask, What is this Spirit? and "Which way went the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak unto thee?" 1 Kings xxii. 24; we are not careful to answer

them, much less are we dismayed because a wicked world will scorn and scoff. It is enough for us to stand upon a foundation which is sure and steadfast, and that "cannot be moved." We would say to all, "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve;" but as for us, we will serve the Lord our God: we will build on no other than the Rock of ages. We may lose our property, our friends, our beloved ministers-nay, even our lives. But we may safely give up all, if we enjoy the grace and favor of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us put up this prayer: Holy Ghost, the Comforter, lead me and guide me! that walking with Jesus now, by faith, I may be with him where he is, and not be left an orphan! "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." John xiv. 23.

THE MISSION OF THE HOLY GHOST.

I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.-JOHN xvi. 12, 13.

[1796.]

EVERY part of our Lord's farewell discourse to his disciples is infinitely important to all that would know how to walk "as looking not at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen, and eternal." It is melancholy to consider how few enter into the spirit and meaning of this subject.

If we compare this promise of our Saviour with the descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, and with the effects which followed, we shall need no other commentary.

Let us consider,

I. THE NECESSITY OF THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

II. WHAT IS MORE PARTICULARLY PROMISED IN THE TEXT WITH RESPECT TO THE HOLY SPIRIT'S MISSION. III. WHAT IS OBSERVABLE IN THE GUIDANCE OF THE SPIRIT.

I. THE NECESSITY OF HIS WORK. In entering upon this subject, we may remark, that what men commend greatly, often falls far short of their account of it in the reality but when God commends any thing to our notice, we may rest satisfied that it is important. The gift of the Holy Spirit was a subject of special promise.

The Holy Spirit is not spoken of merely as a quality or operation, but as an agent, a person: "When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth." He was sent to help man under his weakness; to guide him in his blindness and ignorance; to assist his heart and renew it; to influence his will; to quicken him, as" dead in trespasses and sins." Experience proves that unless there be such a special work wrought upon the mind, people will hear the Gospel all their lives in vain. There is a necessity for the Spirit's influence to render the work of Christ effectual.

It is of importance to mark what are the consequences of living without these influences. Show me a Church, a family, or an individual that slights this doctrine, and I will show you them dead, totally dead, as to any real godliness. Any man who looks into his Bible may see that, without this divine influence, the Ethiopian can as soon change his skin, and the leopard his spots, as those who are in the habits of evil can

learn to do well. I do not say that a man may not raise a sect; that he may not turn from one form of religion to another: I am speaking of a very different thing; I am speaking of being a Christian,

"A Christian is the highest style of man."

A Christian is one who has given his heart to God, and who glories in nothing but Christ."

II. Let us consider, wHAT IS MORE PARTICULARLY PROMISED WITH RESPECT TO THE HOLY SPIRIT'S MISSION. "He will guide you into all truth.”

This is an expression used to imply "the whole counsel of God;" the truth as it is in Jesus. So that when a poor sinner would ask the way to heaven, that which fully answers to this question may well be called, "truth;" truth as distinguished from error; "all truth," not a part only; truth in its proportion,—the whole harmony of truth; truth in all its integrity; truth formed into a medicine for truth is the medicine of the mind; it is God's remedy for a guilty conscience, a depraved heart. But as, in regard to the body, a medicine taken in part only might injure rather than cure, so in regard to truth, if a man takes a part only, nothing can be more injurious. It is no wonder, then, if heresy or enthusiasm be introduced. Jesus Christ is "the way, the truth, and the life." This is that medicine of the tree of life, "whose leaves were for the healing of the nations." It is the office of the Holy Spirit to make a saving application of truth to the mind; under the Spirit's teaching you shall know truth experimentally you shall be savingly acquainted with its virtue and efficacy. The knowledge which the Holy Spirit gives is always vital and practical.

"He will guide you into all truth:" like the pillar

and the cloud, which was not only a shelter, and a type of Christ, but a medium of communication. See Exodus xiv. 24. So, the Spirit of truth shall lead his people by the word,-by special providences,--and by a peculiar teaching, or breathing. The Apostle declares, that the Old Testament had nothing but what was excelled by the New. "When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth;" into the truth. of the Gospel, as distinguished from worldly elements: "all truth," in opposition to the practice of those who pay a partial regard to truth: who would divide it, and set up one truth against another.

III. Let us inquire WHAT THERE IS OBSERVABLE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT'S GUIDANCE,-in his mission to a lost world.

His operation is observable not only in providence, and in his word brought home to our ears-but, by his preparing the heart, by his making the ground good upon which the seed is to be cast: by showing the sinner that he needs help. He teaches men, as the prodigal was taught who would leave his father's house ;his springs were all dried up--his props were all cut away--he was made to feel "in want:" then he came to himself, and said, "I will arise and go to my Father." This was a preparation of heart: then, he saw the suitableness of his Father's house. So, the Holy Spirit guides to the means of grace-the Sabbath,-the sacrament: things are made to appear interesting which before were deemed irksome. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to give a spiritual taste, a savor and relish for the things of Christ. Till a person has this taste, he knows very little of the power of religion. The Spirit leads a man to read the word of God in a manner he never did before: he may have studied the