ing for signs of election, but to teach that he who is willing to come, has the sweetest and safest evidence thereof that can be enjoyed, for he never would have been willing, if God had not made him so. You who hear the alarming words of warning and still continue hardened, give an awful proof that you are rejected of God, while your repeated rejection of his counsels makes your condemnation just; yet hardened as you have been, when once your hearts are softened by the power of divine grace, the Lord is ready to blot out your sins by the precious blood of Christ. Hence we have nothing to do but to tell the world, in the fullest language of free grace, "behold there is set before you an open door and no man can shut it."1

FRAGMENT XI.

QUALITIES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

THE Spirit does innumerable good things in us, which are conducive to our benefit and his glory. I am thankful to find him called "the

1 Rev. iii, 8.

Spirit of wisdom and understanding," and I look to him that I may realize the apostle's expression, "the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right-hand in the heavenly places, far all above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion." The Spirit directs the understanding of the believer, fills it with excellent materials, and guides him into holy obedience. Remember, brethren, that as God has given you an understanding, you ought to use it in communing with him. As the docile pupil hearkens attentively to the precepts of his instructor, so may my understanding become the pupil of the Holy Ghost, that having my mind illumined by his inspiration, and being guided by his grace, every step I take may be a step of wisdom. Now, as children are best instructed by seeing others work, so Christ in infinite mercy has set us a living pattern, which all his disciples are to 1 Eph. i, 18-21.

imitate, to which end, the Spirit implants in us the "same mind" that was in him.

But he is not only the Spirit of understanding, but he is also "the Spirit of truth," who is to "lead us into all truth." The true believer sees things as they really are; he is not left in uncertainty. All the children of God, let their different denominations be what they will, are led one way, and keep "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

He is moreover "the Spirit of holiness;" this is eminently his character. We cannot even receive of the Spirit, without ourselves being made holy. In order that God may dwell in us we must be made like him, and assuredly his very mind is in them that believe in him; they have "the mind of the Spirit." Hence religion is not contrary to the freedom of my will, for God, who makes me willing, makes his will my will, and I can say "thy will be done." I have said the Spirit is the Spirit of holiness, and thereby you will see the propriety of the injunction, " as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation." Wherever you may be, wear your sacred garments which are "white and clean;" and when

2 1 Pet. i, 15.

in the midst of a filthy world, gather them up, as it were, that they may not be defiled. God has engaged to purify all his spiritual Levites; and let us remember that we are priests unto him.

But again, the Spirit is also called "the Spirit of power." By this I am given to understand that a holy power is to be given to a poor, feeble, guilty creature. When the apostle Paul was shewn his impotency that he might be kept humble, the Lord mercifully lifted him up by the consolatory words, "my strength is made perfect in weakness;" and how quickly did he respond in the exclamation, "most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." Blessed are they who thus seek to the Lord for the manifestation of his almighty power, and believe that they can "do all things, through Christ strengthening them" by his Holy Spirit.

Not only is he the Spirit of power, but the Spirit of love. How cheering, how delightful! I am commanded to love the Lord" with all my heart, with all my mind, with all my soul, and with all my strength;" and never can I accomplish this, unless the "divine nature" is commu

32 Cor xii, 9.

nicated to me by the Spirit of love. How is this done? The love of God is shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost, and I am led to say, "Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee." We delight to please those whom we love; therefore if I have God's Spirit, I shall rejoice to keep his commandments. The spirit of disobedience flies before the illumination of the Holy Ghost, as darkness before the beams of the rising sun.

But he is the Spirit of fear. How pleasant a thing is holy fear, for "by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil;" "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." This guards me on all sides. "I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me"4 saith the Lord, who also encouraged Abraham with the words, "I am thy shield, and exceeding great reward.” But we must not presume while we are upheld, but continually pray, "hold thou us up and we shall be safe." God keeps his people by the grace of fear.

Again, he is the Spirit of adoption. Here is all we can desire. God's children while they fear him do not dread him, though while they love him they reverence him. They desire not to forget themselves, though they exult in his

4 Jer. xxxii, 40.