with God re ve," with our highest reason; "whereas before, we conversed with him only τη Savoia, with our discursive faculty, our understanding. Such an one, by universal love and holy affection, endeavours at the nearest union with the divine essence that may be. Such a knowledge is always pregnant with divine virtue, which ariseth out of an happy union of souls with God, and is nothing else but a living imitation of a god-like perfection; and this life is nothing else but God's own breath within us."

Would you, then, Brethren, enjoy this inward manifestation of God? It cannot be given to you by other men; but most assuredly it may be gained by you yourselves: it is open to all who seek it, all are invited to pursue it. And how, then, shall you seek it? In the same way as you seek the knowledge and the friendship of a fellow man; by obtaining an Introduction to his notice, by learning his Sentiments, by Intercourse of mind and heart, by copying out his excellencies, and making them your own! Would you be introduced to God? Christ is the "Mediator between God and Man !" "He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no man cometh to the Father but by

Him!" Would you learn the sentiments of God? The word of Christ, his gospel, his instruction, the teaching of your bible, and your ministers; these must be your study.

Would you gain a

Prayer, in all its

holy intercourse with God? fulness, meditation, intreaty, praise, and adoration; these must minister to you a spiritual life. And would you copy out the character of God, and be partakers of his holiness? Practice, labour, patient habit, daily struggle and endeavour, these must be the business of your life! 66 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures, then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD."

SERMON V.

INTRODUCTION TO GOD BY CHRIST.

ROMANS V. 2.

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand.

To know God effectually, we must know Him as our Friend and Father: all other manifestations of Him are but preparatory to this. We may perceive the traces of his Power in creation; we may behold the fulness of his Compassion in Christ Jesus; but what will this avail us, if we cannot say in humble faith, "This God is our God?”—if we enter not into personal enjoyment of his Favour, nor realize his presence in our hearts?

But how can this blessed consummation be attained? How shall we gain that Spirit from on high by which alone God communes with man? There has been a separation between

us and Him, by reason of our sinfulness; there has been displeasure upon his part, and distaste, nay, enmity, on ours.

cile this difference?

Who shall recon

Who shall remove from

our minds the dread of God's displeasure, and the disinclination for his presence? Who shall mediate between us and God? Who shall introduce us to his favour, and reconcile us to him as our Father?

Brethren! let me pause a moment here, and ask, Are these the questions of your hearts? for on this will depend the interest and the efficacy of what we have yet to say. Too many, alas! would rather turn from such inquiries, and indulge their day-dream of security, than wake to topics whose first aspect must disturb the mind. In our self-willedness and sin, we think not of access and introduction to the presence of our God, we rather shrink from him: we would not seek his face, we would rather flee to some remotest corner of creation to escape his look. As little as the ingrate desires to behold the man whom he has injured; or the debtor to come in contact with his creditor; or the felon to be confronted with his judge; or the rebel to approach his prince ;-so little does the yet impenitent desire to see his God. Nay,

even as the prodigal took his journey into a far country, that he might follow his devices untroubled by the consciousness of a father's eye; and as Adam and Eve hid themselves from the presence of the Lord amidst the trees of the garden, and thereby betrayed in action that sense of guilt which in words they endeavoured to deny ;-even so does the unrelenting sinner attempt to flee from God. And this, Brethren, let me warn you, is that silent, inward testimony of your guilt and danger, which speaks more strongly than a thousand sermons of reproach and malediction; which is not to be escaped from, as outward warning is, but cleaves pertinaciously to your very soul, and will at last be heard! O that you would hear it now! -in the accepted time!-in the day of salvation!-now, before it be too late!

For, does a man awake to some perception of his alienated state? Does he pause, and wait in inward meditation, till even the very echoes of the din and hum without have died away; and there comes slowly upward from the depths of his spirit, that still small voice which would instruct him what he is, and what he should be? Does he recollect to whom he is amenable? Does he consider the authority that God has over him? the demands that He