foreseen dangers, and mortify those lusts which war against the soul. And that we may know how to suit our prayers to our wants, we must be conversant with ourselves, and gain an intimate acquaintance, with our spiritual state. The better we know ourselves, the . better we can judge what to pray for, the more we shall abound in matter of prayer, and the more easily we shall pour out our hearts before God. Our barrenness and deadness in prayer are greatly owing to our ignorance of, and inattention to ourselves.

II. The next thing which Paul requests for the Ephesians is, that "Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith." The same sentiment he expresses in his exhortation to the Colossians. "As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him, built up in him, and established in the faith as ye have been taught."

The phrase of "Christ's being in us," is often used to express our conformity to him. He is then in us, when his word takes possession of our hearts and gov. erns our lives; and when, having the same mind as was in him, we walk as he walked.

The phrase of "Christ's dwelling in us," imports constancy and perseverance. They only, in whom his word abides, are his real disciples.

As we become united to Christ by faith, so by faith he dwells in our hearts. "The just live by faith." That we may steadily maintain our obedience to his laws and our imitation of his character, we must walk by faith in his grace and power. The Apostle says, "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life, which I live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."—" His word works effectually in them who believe."-" The word preached will not profit unless it be mixed with faith in them who hear it."

To judge whether we are accepted of God, we must inquire whether Christ dwells in us-whether we are conformed to his character, influenced by his doctrines, and governed by his precepts. The reality of our faith is best proved by our constancy in the love and practice of religion. It is not safe to conclude that we are justified unto life, before we have time to inquire whether Christ thus dwells in our hearts by faith. There is nothing more contrary to the instructions and cautions of the gospel, than strong and bold conclusions in our own favor, before we have the evidence which arises from the efficacy of faith in purifying the heart. It is the work of faith, the labor of love, the patience of hope, and the fruit of godly sorrow, which manifest the existence of these graces in the soul.

III. The Apostle prays, that the Ephesian Christians "may be rooted and grounded in love."

By love he doubtless intends love to Christ, who is the object mentioned immediately before and after. Love to Christ is one of the great principles of relig ion. If any man love not our Lord Jesus Christ, he is pronounced accursed. But grace is promised to them, who love him in sincerity.

This love is not merely an emotion of the heart on a view of the great things which Christ has done and suffered: It is a temper in the soul leading us to approve of him, delight in him, and cleave to him in his whole character, as a teacher, ruler and redeemer. It includes a love of his example, doctrines and precepts, as well as gratitude for his mediation, and rejoicing in the hope of his salvation.

"If ye

True love to Christ is Supreme; it surpasses all earthly affections. He has said, "whosoever loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me." The genuine effect of this love is obedience. love me," says our Lord, "keep my commandments." -"Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I have commanded you."

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will be a hatred They who are

Where love to Christ reigns, there of sin and watchfulness against it. Christ's have crucified the flesh." There will be a high admiration of, and ready compliance with the way of salvation through him. The believer "counts all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, and suffers the loss of all things to win him." There will be a concern to promote his honor and interest in the world. Peter was to testify his love to

his Lord by feeding his flock.

Christians are to be "rooted and grounded in love." True love is rooted in the heart. It is an habitual temper discovering itself in the fruits of holiness. Where this love is rooted, there is an acquaintance with the religion of Christ, a settled belief of its divinity, and a high esteem of its excellence and importance; and this love will be accompanied with a steady resolution to abide in the doctrine of Christ, whatever dangers may attend it. He only who cleaves to the Lord with purpose of heart, can be said to be rooted and grounded in love.

Imagine not, that love to Christ is a mere sensitive affection, like that which we sometimes feel toward natural objects; or that it is a transient emotion excited merely by a view of Christ, as a man suffering unjustly from the hands of cruel enemies; or only a delightful sensation arising from an apprehension of him as one who loves us and is ready to save us. Such feelings are no more than what wicked men may have under certain circumstances. They come far short of that love which the gospel requires. This is nothing less than a love of Christ's complete character-a love of his whole gospel-a love of the way in which salvation is offered. It is a holy temper corresponding with the holy nature of its object. It is a spiritual affection toward Christ viewed as a spiritual Saviour. Its fruits are love to good men-imitation of Christ's example -obedience to his commands-attendance on his in

stitutions-zeal for his honor-and diligence in his service.

IV. Another petition for these Ephesian converts is "that they may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge."

All that Christ has done and suffered in our cause, is in no degree the effect of our desert, but wholly the fruit of his own pure benevolence. "He loved us and gave himself for us."-" Hereby perceive we his love, because he laid down his life for our sakes."

This love passes our knowledge; it exceeds our comprehension; but there is a sense in which we may know it, and should endeavor, with all saints, more and more to comprehend it.

1. The love of Christ passeth knowledge..

It passes all known examples of love. The prophet, speaking of the love of God manifested in the forgiveness of sinners, says, "His ways are not as our ways, nor his thoughts as our thoughts: But as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are his ways higher than our ways, and his thoughts than our thoughts."

Great instances of goodness have now and then been known among men. The parent for his childrenone friend for another has done and suffered much. The parent who is evil can give good things to his children. For a good man peradventure some would dare to die. This, however, is the highest exertion of human love, that a man lay down his life for his friend. But the love of Christ far exceeds this: He has commended his love toward us, in that, while we were sinners and enemies, he died for us."

This love passes our comprehension. We may have a just conception of it; but we cannot comprehend its dimensions: The Apostle speaks of the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of the love of Christ which passeth knowledge.”

It passes knowledge in respect of its breadth, or extent. It, in some respects, extends to the whole world to all nations in all ages, from Adam down to the close of the human succession. The benefits which it has procured, are offered to all on the same terms, without any distinction. They are not confined to this or that people, or to this or that period, or to any particular description or character; but are to all, and upon all them who believe, whether Jews or Gentiles, male or female, bond or free, young or old, great sinners or small; and there is no difference.

Yea; this love extends, not only to men, but to angels, who look with pleasure into the wonders of redemption, and learn from the church the manifold wisdom of God. All things, which are in heaven and in earth, are to be gathered together in Christ and to become one family. Hence the angels are represented as joining with the elders in this song of praise to the Lamb. "Thou art worthy-for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood-."

How vast is the breadth of Christ's love! What myriads of the human race, in the long succession from the first to the last generation of mortals, will be made partakers of it? Many indeed will perish, but the nations of them who are saved, will be such multitudes as no man can number. And besides these, there is an innumerable company of angels-ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, who worship the Redeemer and give honor to his

name.

The love of Christ passes knowledge, in respect of its length. It is an everlasting love. Believers are chosen of God in him before all ages, that they might be holy and without blame before him in love. He, from the days of eternity, entered into a covenant of peace with God, in which he engaged to make his soul an offering for sin, and received a promise, that he should see his seed, and the pleasure of the Lord