words will be, of his fulness have we all received grace corresponding to his grace. Thus a piece of sculpture or painting agrees with the original figure, and the impression on wax exactly answers to the figure on the seal.

It was God's design in the election of sinners to salvation to conform them to the Saviour. "He predestinated them to be conformed to the image of his Son." Rom. viii. 29. It is the work of the Spirit to execute this design. He does so; and every believer is so formed in his new creation, as to be an exact resemblance of Christ. In performing this work, the Spirit has his eye upon Christ, the pattern which he is to follow, and draws upon the soul a true image of him. The lineaments of the one correspend to the lineaments of the other. When Paul declared that he travailed in birth in order that Christ might be formed in the Galatian professors, he used a word which denotes an exact likeness or form; nor is there any other way in which Christ can be formed in the soul but by assimilating it to him. Although all the outlines of the original are drawn on the believing soul, in regeneration, yet the work is not finished,-the various shades have not received the last touch. The Spirit, however, is attending to the work, and rendering it a more full representation of the original. Under his influence the believer grows in grace, and in the knowledge of Christ, and gradually approaches the measure of his fulness. To this purpose are the words of the Apostle. 2 Cor. iii. 18. "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Knowledge, love, and holiness are the beauty and excellence of Christ's human soul, and all believers are as

similated to him in these. The same mind is in them that was in him; they are one Spirit with him; and they walk in love as he also walked, and set them an example, that they should follow his steps. In his humiliation he was, in all things, made like unto his brethren, in order to redeem them; and in order to their complete salvation, they must, in all things, be made like unto him. The Apostle gives us the finishing stroke of this striking likeness. 1 John iii 2. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when he shall appear we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."

6. It implies in believers a sense of their wants, and self-denial. Before sinners are made partakers of the grace of Christ, they do not apprehend themselves to be in want of spiritual things. They have no conception of their excellence or use, they know no good purpose which they could serve to them. They are full of self-sufficiency, and think they are adequate to any work necessary to promote their own interest. With so high an opinion of their own importance, they become exceedingly elated, their hearts smell with pride, and, instead of prostrating themselves at the feet of Jesus for grace, they accost him in the language of ar rogance and insult. "We are lords, we will come

no more unto thee."

THE Soul into which light has been conveyed, and to which sensibility has been restored, takes a very different view of itself, feels in quite another manner, and adopts a different mode of procedure. When he looks into his own heart, and discovers the deep stain of sin in it, he cries out, "Behold, I am vile? When he begins to survey the extent of his crimes, with their

attending aggravations, he is appaled and smites his breast; and what he feels dictates his address to Jesus,"God be merciful to me a sinner." Now he is not only worthless in his own estimation, but loathsome and hateful. He finds no good thing in himself, nor can he do any good, and all the good he once thought he possessed, now appears to have been sin in disguise. He shrinks at every new survey of his condition, and deserts all his former work as a fabric in the ruins of which he must soon have perished. Such things as once seemed to be gain, he now accounts loss, yea, all things in comparison of Christ, that he may win him, and be found in him.

SUCH a soul is prepared to appreciate the fulness of Christ, and eagerly to solicit a supply. He views the Saviour in the light of the gospel, and he finds him a choice one, exceedingly adapted to his own condition. In him he sees all that he can possibly need or desire, and here he rests with the language of faith in his mouth, "In the Lord have I righteousness and strength. His supplication to Christ is very pathetic and expressive, "Lord, save me, I perish."

THE believer's views of himself do not alter much. He remains sensible of his situation, he continues humble and self-denied, and his great aim is, to cultivate an intimate acquaintance with Christ, and to participate largely of his fulness. He never contemplates his own condition but he discovers some want which again sends him back to the source of his supply. The more he is employed in this manner, his opinion of himself is lowered and his esteem of Christ is greatly heightened. He is afraid lest he detract any thing from the honour and glory of the Redeemer. He accounts himself one of the chief of sinners, and less than the

least of all saints. And he glories in being able to say, "By the grace of God I am what I am;" that Christ may be all in all.

7. It implies continued intercourse with Christ by faith.

A

COMMUNION between him and believers is the design and native result of their union as one spiritual mystical body. He is the vital head, and universal repository of all grace, to his people. From this source daily communications are made to every believer, of all things necessary to promote his improvement in the Christian life, to resist the assaults of every adversary, to discharge every holy duty, and to consummate the work of his salvation.

WHEN these communications are made to the believer, he is not a mere passive recipient, as an empty vessel into which liquor is poured. He is active, and receives by faith from Christ, as the indigent receives the alms of the charitable. As his faith is active in forming the union by receiving its object and adhering to it, so is it in all that intercourse which takes place between them, in receiving every favour, and performing duty. Christ prescribes this method, "Ask, and ye shall receive." And the Apostle James tells us that, "we must ask in faith nothing wavering." We must entertain no doubt about the fulness of Christ, or his willingness to supply our wants, nor about his faithfulness; but firmly rely on his promise, that he will make good his word. The proper business or work of faith, in receiving from Christ, is a firm belief of the truth of the promise, and a steady un wavering trust in him, that he will fulfil it. "What things soever," said Christ, "ye desire, when ye pray, believe, that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Mark ii. 24. He certainly meant, that his people

.

should be as firmly persuaded that they would obtain what they asked, as if they already had it. Again he

"If

says, ye have faith, and doubt not,-it shall be done." Mat. xxi. 21.

"The

THAT life which believers possess, its preservation, improvement, and perfection, result from communion with Jesus, communion influenced by faith. just shall live by faith." Heb. x. 38. His perseve rance in a justified state is by faith, and is here meant; for that is contrasted with drawing back. Could faith's adherence to Christ fail, so would the state of justification: but the Spirit, who is the bond of union on Christ's part, secures the truth of faith, which is the uniting bond in the believer, and thus preserves the union entire. The whole life of holiness is influenced by faith. "The life that he lives in the flesh he lives by the faith of the Son of God." Gal. ii. 20. By its influence every grace in the soul,-every principle of holy action, is invigorated, love, hope, repentance, desire, joy, &c. "It worketh by love," that love which is "the fulfilling of the law." "It is the "substance of things hoped for." Though they are invisible and future, faith takes a view of their certainty, and the infallible security of the promise for the enjoyment of them, and so raises a lively hope in the soul. In the same way it makes the soul to" rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." If at any time the soul is distressed on account of its defilement, and the lusts which war against it, faith finds the promise of purification, and urges the fulfilment of it. "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than the snow." Psalm li. 7. When sin is committed, and wounds the conscience, repentance becomes necessary in order to pardon; then faith betakes itself

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