of a superior force; and d'Alembert expressed a wish not unworthy even of a Nero, a wish to see a whole nation exterminated, simply because they professed the Christian religion1.

The meek and submissive spirit of regeneration prompted the apostle to forbid, even upon pain of damnation, all resistance to the lawfully constituted powers of government. He rightly judged, that self-vindication was inconsistent with the character of him, who has been born again; of him, who expects his portion, not in this world, but in the next. His precepts were faithfully obeyed by the primitive Christians: and there is not a single instance upon record of any resistance being made even to the bloodiest persecutions of the heathen emperors.

This humility and gentleness, Infidelity treats with the most sovereign contempt: she spurns at the idea of a meek and contented obedience; and she values not the blessing of

'Barruel, Mem. of Jacobinism.

9

a quiet spirit. Unlike that evangelical charity, which seeketh not her own, she clamorously demands her rights, and preaches the legality of open insurrection and rebellion. The gospel reverently looks up to God, as the sole fountain of power, both civil and ecclesiastical: but Infidelity proudly scoffs at the degrading sentiment, and confers upon the populace the prerogative of Jehovah.

(4.) I have dwelt the more largely upon the spirit of Infidelity, in order that it might form the more striking contrast to that of a regenerate Christian under the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit.

In a painting, light appears more vivid from being placed in the vicinity of darkness; and beauty possesses a tenfold degree of attraction in the neighbourhood of deformity. It is impossible to avoid seeing the difference, between the real believer and the man who makes this world his god. Setting aside all discrepancies of opinion, who is there, that does not perceive the wonderful dissimilarity between the character of Paul, and that of a

Hume or a Voltaire? Who can avoid acknowledging, that some important change must have taken place in the one, of which the others were totally ignorant? There was a time, when the great apostle of the gentiles, an apostle, moreover, well versed in the most polite literature of the age, hated, with Voltaire, the very name of Christ; and would gladly, with d'Alembert, have exterminated, at a single blow, the whole multitude of the faithful. What then can it be, which hath made him to differ? Let us humbly confess, or rather let the Apostle himself confess, that it was God, who worked in him both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Without the converting and sanctifying grace of the Holy Ghost, Paul would for ever have remained dead in trespasses and sins.

6. In fine, to use the emphatic language of Scripture, the regenerate are the temple of the blessed Spirit, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone'. God himself condescends

1 Ephesians ii. 20.

to dwell within them'; and, like the Shechinah in his magnificent house at Jerusalem, sanctifies, illuminates, and directs them. What the soul is to the body, the Holy Spirit is to the Church. By his powerful agency, its members are not only enlightened and actuated individually; but, like the several parts of the natural body, they are connected and held together in spiritual peace, order, union, and harmony 3.

VI. Such, and so great are the privileges and endowments of a Christian. However

11 Cor. iii. 16. 2 Tim. i. 14. 1 John iv. 12. 15, 16. 2 Οὐδὲν λανθάνει τὸν Κύριον, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὰ κρυπτὰ ἡμῶν ἐγγὺς αὐτῷ ἐστίν. Πάντα οὖν ποιῶμεν ὡς αὐτοῦ ἐν ἡμῖν κατοικοῦντος, ἵνα ὦμεν αὐτοῦ ναοὶ, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐν ἡμῖν θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὅπερ καὶ ἔστιν καὶ φανήσεται πρὸ προσώπου ἡμῶν ἐξ ὧν δικαίως ἀγαπῶμεν αὐτόν. Ignat. Epist. ad Ephes. §. xv.

habitare.

Conversemur quasi Dei templa, ut Deum in nobis constet Nec sit degener actus noster a Spiritu, ut qui cœlestes et spirituales esse cœpimus, non nisi spiritualia et cælestia cogitemus et agamus. Cyprian. de Orat. Domin. Oper. vol. i. p. 143.

those, that sit in the chair of the scorner, may mock at the counsel of God, and deride the operations of his Holy Spirit: they, who have experienced the benefit of his influence, thankfully acknowledge the greatness of his power

in the conversion and sanctification of a sinner. They know in whom they have believed. If God be for them, who can be against them? In all things they are more than conquerors through him that loved them.

VII. Blessed be God, even in these latter days of the Christian Church, his arm is not shortened. He is still both able and willing to save all, who come to him in his Son's name. His promises yet receive their accomplishment: nor can one jot or one tittle of his word fail.

As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear: but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father; the Spirit itself bearing witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God; and, if children, then heirs; heirs of