the enjoyment of inward peace, divine love shed abroad in their hearts, and joy in the Holy Ghost, all the effects of forgiving love, and the privileges of a justified state. Let us notice,

III. Who are interested in this high privilege. They who are "in Christ," and who make this known, by walking" after the Spirit." The former is the thought we now dwell upon, that this freedom from condemnation is peculiar to those who are in Christ. Your thoughts will naturally revert to the intimate, important, and inseparable union between Christ and his people, and this is immediately united with their salvation. In him they are interested in the love of God, for that is in Christ Jesus as the source of pardon. In him they are as their refuge, where they enjoy bliss flowing through channels of atoning blood; they are clothed with his righteousness, and sanctified by his Spirit. In him they have the removal of sin, the cause of condemnation, and being clothed with his righteousness they are without blame; see 2 Cor. v. ult., compared with the prediction of Isaiah xxx. 7; Col. ii. 4, "he hath blotted out the hand writing, taking it away from us." Interested in him they are furnished with an availing plea, Isaiah xiv. 24; Rom. v. 17. Who then, or what, can condemn such as are in Christ? Is not the law fulfilled by Christ, the end thereof, for justification? Is not the accuser cast down by him who has triumphed over the prince of darkness? Is not the conscience at peace through the peace-speaking

blood of the Lamb? Does not the Father show himself to be the just God even while he justifies the believer? Shall it be said we have transgressed? Jesus our Lord hath atoned. Shall it be said we were without righteousness, perfect righteousness? This is in Jesus imputed. Shall it be asked, how are we cleansed? in the blood of the Lamb we have an open fountain. In short " we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace." "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift!"

As we draw to a close we must:

1. Observe, this passage has a dark side toward all unbelievers. The words must be considered exclusively concerning such as are not in Christ; see John iii. 18, 36. It must be so, for you unbelivers neglect the only refuge from the tempest; you reject the only price of pardon, and the only expiation of human guilt; "there remains no other sacrifice for sin," no other name is given whereby you can be saved from eternal condemnation. Condemnation! O word big with terror, and of unfathomable import! think of this ye who have been hitherto careless, and, ye sinners, dwell upon your awful state. I have seen a stout hardened sinner at the bar of an earthly judge unmoved till the close, when the black cap has been put on by the judge, and the awful sentence has proceeded from his lips; and then the firmness of the criminal has forsaken him, his delusive hopes have been succeeded with painful apprehensions,

and his flattering dream has been followed with real horror; and so will it be finally with you, if you awake not before, from your long sleep of sin, then you must, but to behold a fiery lake, and remediless woe.

2. Let the true Christian, while happy in this deliverance, remember the source and channel. I say, while happy in this deliverance; for who that has felt the weight of his guilt, realized the importance of safety, or felt oppressing fears of ruin, but must know, that blessedness consists in "having sin forgiven, and transgressions covered;" the mind sanctified, and the prospect bright and clear? but remember, not for your works of duty, your attempts at reformation, nor your flowing tears; but it takes its rise from grace, and flows through a Saviour's mediation, and is enjoyed by faith, a faith which unites to the second Adam, receives his righteousness, and rejoices in its imputation.

3. Let me add, the gospel checks presumption. The gospel tells of glorious benefits, but shows their connexion with the believing character. What God hath thus joined let none separate.

SERMON XVIII.

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.-EPHES. 1. 6.

INGRATITUDE argues the want of every thing generous and amiable, which we cannot too much avoid, nay, from which we should flee as from a destructive pit; on the contrary, gratitude is one of the most pure, noble, and pleasant parts of religion. Paul, who was the writer of the epistle before us, appears to have abounded in this reasonable and delightful exercise. See how the holy flame bursts forth in verse 3, "Blessed be the God," &c. Here is an excellent example for us; a model worthy our imitation both as to his spirit and manner; like him, we should acknowledge God to be the author and source "of every good and every perfect gift;" and if we have received spiritual blessings, to trace them back to the first cause, which is electing love; and view them in their medium, which is Christ the beloved. Among the blessings enumerated, is that of the divine accept