2. How the Lord shows his people his covenant, or makes them to know it.

This he graciously effects by the power of the Holy Spirit. Their understandings are enlightened to discover that all their blessings are granted to them through the covenant of redemption, or of grace. They are taught by the Spirit of God that it is an everlasting covenant ordered in all things and sure. It has laid a foundation for their justification "freely, by the grace of God, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Hence it becomes all their salvation and all their desire. It is the foundation of all their hopes; for they renounce every other ground of acceptance and forgiveness. They see the evil of sin; they feel their sinfulness, and they rest all their hopes of pardon on that foundation of God which standeth sure. There they view the mercy of God, the efficacy of the atonement, and the ability of Christ to save. They are taught by that gracious agent, who is designated in the scriptures the Spirit of knowledge, to venture their souls upon the Saviour, and to "rejoice in Christ Jesus, having no confidence in the flesh." They are taught to seek happiness solely upon the ground of the everlasting covenant. They learn to renounce every other foundation. And all their expectations and hopes arise from God's covenant, and not from their own works, or merits. They look to Christ for pardon, and to the blessed Spirit for sanctification and holiness: for by such evidences as these the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and in this

confidence and the rejoicing of hope unto the end." Where there is evidence of the possession of true religion, the working of the Spirit, mortifying the works of the flesh, and drawing up the mind to high and heavenly things, there is good reason to entertain an earnest belief, that the work of grace thus begun will terminate in the possession of everlasting glory. Hope which maketh not ashamed," may be exercised as far as we have evidence of being the subjects of real religion: and, blessed be God, there is such a thing as real religion, a religion which is excellent in its nature, which has God for its Author and Finisher, and glory for its end. Nothing can separate a true believer from the love of Christ. Of this truth the inspired apostle St. Paul was fully convinced; and under this conviction, he thanked God for the Christian converts at Philippi, respecting the sincerity and reality of whose religion he cherished a strong confidence; and, under this impression, he entertained no doubt of their perseverance in grace, or of their final possession of that glory with which grace will be consummated. Hence in addressing his beloved Philippians, he says, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always, in every prayer of mine for you all, making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." From the latter part of this citation, selected as a text for the discourse, I shall make five observations founded

surely you know that you are indebted for these blessings to the mercy and grace of God in the everlasting covenant. Are you believers? But why are you so? Because God had a purpose of grace towards you. Therefore he ordained that you should be born in a country where the light of revelation shines, and where the means of salvation have been afforded you. And how has this grace, which so many receive in vain, been made effectual for you? By the mighty power of God, whereby you have been turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." The conversion of the soul to God, is by the apostle attributed to the same mighty power which raised Christ from the dead. Hence he prayed for the Ephesians, "that the eyes of their understanding might be enlightened, that they might know what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward, 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." Are not these some of the secrets of God, which he has made known to you? Has he not shewn you that you have not chosen Him, but that He has chosen you? Has He not led you to understand that you have not first loved or apprehended Him, but that you have been loved and apprehended by Him? Has He not convinced you by His word and spirit, that He has loved you with an everlasting love, and that with loving kind

proud, meek and humble. It has rendered the fretful and quarrelsome, patient and peaceful. It has converted the drunkard and the sensualist, into patterns of sobriety and temperance. It has made the idler diligent; the thief, honest; the lascivious, chaste; the profane, prayerful. Now do not such effects as these exhibit religion to us in her garb of moral beauty? And should we use language improperly by saying, it is beautiful to observe a Christian walking in all things consistently with his high and holy calling?-attending to and acting upon the apostolic injunction, "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

But the goodness of religion consists, likewise, in its utility. It is not only the most useful personal good to those who possess it; but it enlarges their minds, and influences them to live not for themselves alone, but for others. My brethren, if you possess real religion it will lead you to do good, as you have ability and opportunity. It will influence you to extend your compassion to the bodies and souls of your fellow-creatures. It will teach you to study how you may be useful in your families, in the church, and in the world. It will make you careful "to maintain good works, for these things are good and profitable to men. It will reconcile you to God through the mediation of his dear Son. It will

inspire you with faith, and hope, and joy. It will be your solace through life :-it will be your support in death.

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To the beauty and utility of religion, may be added another infinitely important property, its durability, which will extend not only to the termination of the present life of its possessor, but through the ages of eternity. If, my brethren, you possess true religion as the effect of your regeneration, you will possess it for ever. In this sense, our Lord calls it "that good part which shall not be taken away.” It is also called "life," everlasting life,' exceeding and eternal weight of glory,' of glory that fadeth not away."-Is not religion, then, a good work? And when you view its durability, have you not a virtual proof of the perseverance of the saints? For, if those who possess true religion, or godliness, possess a portion which shall not be taken away, then, doubtless, the doctrine of the perseverance and final salvation of every true believer, is clearly demonstrated. If you have obtained "precious faith, through the righteousness of God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ," if you are a subject of godliness, or of any other grace essential to true religion, this is the effect of your regeneration, and your regeneration is an evidence of your "election of God:" and thus, your religion is traced up to its immutable source. And, as believers in the word of God, and in the articles, founded on it, of that church of which you profess yourselves the members, you know that all the elect