tuted a social body, a kingdom, a church, which was to be the channel of his covenanted mercies to the world. It follows that the social character of his followers, their union in his mystical body, is a fundamental part of the plan of redemption. The very first description of Christians which we have in the Acts of the Apostles, is, that they "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." Communion with the church, by maintaining fellowship with the apostles, by breaking of bread, that is, partaking of the Lord's supper, and by prayers, by attending the public worship authoritatively celebrated, is placed in the same rank with continuing steadfast in apostolic doctrine. And still more strongly to impress the fundamental importance of communion with the mystical body of Christ, it is recorded in another part of the Acts of the Apostles, that "the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." Almost every page of the apostolic epistles inculcate the doctrine, that Christians, in the exercise of faith, are, by communion with the church, united to him who is the head of the body, and thus derive from him pardon, grace, and salvation.

Imperfect, then, my brethren, is every view of the Gospel dispensation, and erroneous, it would seem, every measure which has reference to its propagation, which does not recognise this as one of its distinguishing features. Where the church and kingdom of God is to be found, where it subsists in its greatest purity, are inquiries of primary moment with every believer in the sacred volume: they are inquiries which every individual availing himself of the best means of information, must

make for himself; and honestly making it, he shall not fail, even though he may be in error, of being accepted by that gracious Master, who is not strict to mark what, through involuntary ignorance or infirmity, may be thought or done amiss.

We, my brethren, think that the church to which we belong possesses the divinely constituted ministry, the doctrine, sacraments, and worship of the kingdom of the Redeemer. In all our efforts, then, for the salvation of our own souls, or for the salvation of the souls of others, let us recognise, as a fundamental principle, communion with the church, the continuing steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Tempering zeal with humility, firmness with mildness, and attachment to our own principles with charity for others, let us believe that we best discharge our duty to our divine Lord, and best advance the interests of that kingdom which, before his ascension, he established, when our prayers, our exertions, our contributions, our time, our talents are devoted to the prosperity and extension of that church whose divine character and apostolic claims we humbly assert and maintain.

But let us remember that obvious rule of right"Of those to whom much is given, much will be required." Planted as we are, by the good providence of God, is a part of his spiritual vineyard in which we are plentifully favoured with the means of spiritual improvement, abundant is the fruit which we shall be expected to bring forth. That Jesus who, we believe, rose from the dead and established, before his ascension, his church and kingdom, and who now sits in heaven as its Head and Ruler, will come to be the Judge of the world.

How great should be our solicitude, that when he comes, as he may, by his messenger death, in a moment which we think not of, he may find us doing his will, walking blameless in his commandments and ordinances, waiting in faith and patience for his coming.

Lord and Master, may we then enter into the paradise of God, and finally have our perfect cousummation and bliss, both in body and soul, in thy eternal and everlasting glory.

SERMON XXXI.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING PARTAKERS OF THE HOLY GHOST.

HEBREWS vi. 4.

Made partakers of the Holy Ghost.

THE doctrine of the influences of the Holy Spirit upon the human soul, is a fundamental doctrine of the Gospel. The most superficial observer of human nature must acknowledge and deplore its frailty and corruption. The understanding is liable to error, the affections tend to excessive indulgence, the will is averse to that which is good, and numerous are the temptations to which, thus weak and corrupt in his understanding, his will, and his affections, man is exposed in this evil world. Hence results the necessity of divine agency in his restoration to truth and virtue, and his victory over temptation. What this divine agency shall be, is a point purely of revelation, resting on the determination of the Almighty Being who made us, and on whom we are entirely dependent. In the sacred writings we find this divine agency, so essential to us in our present fallen and weak condition, revealed in the influences of the Holy Spirit, the gift of which, the purchase of Christ's merits, and the consequence of his ascent into heaven, the church this day commemorates. And it is the language of inspired apostles, that we are not sufficient of

ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves, but that our sufficiency is of God; and that, through the sanctification of the Spirit, we are established in holiness, and prepared for heaven.

In accordance with Scripture, the agency of the Divine Spirit is a prominent doctrine of our church. "We have no power to do good works, pleasant and acceptable unto God," (this is her language in one of her articles,)" but by the grace of God giving us a good will, and working with us when we have that good will." Accordingly she prays to God, that as, "by his special grace preventing us," (going before us,) "he puts into our minds good desires, so by his continual help we may bring the same to good effect." And she directs us to offer earnest supplication to God to "cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of his Holy Spirit."

On the subject of the influences of the Divine Spirit many erroneous and dangerous opinions prevail, against which it is essential that Christians should be put on their guard.

Since, then, the operations of the Holy Spirit are thus essential, it is of importance that we correctly understand the nature of these operations on our hearts.

1. The operations of the Divine Spirit on our minds are in accordance with our intellectual and moral powers; and therefore are not violent, but gentle and persuasive.

It is an error to suppose that the operations of the Divine Spirit are overpowering and violent. When, indeed, men were endowed with miraculous powers, over which they had no control, and