a creature you are upon his aid. "We have not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things which are freely given to us of God." A knowledge of our condition is one of the blessed fruits he gives us. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirits, that we are the children of God;" and his testimony is true, a satisfaction which no books, or friends, or minister, can supply. How necessary is this satisfaction, in our acquaintance with God! To be confident of this very thing, that he is our Father, and that I, though unworthy, and poor, and guilty, am his child; to have a rational assurance, from scriptural evidence, of adoption. How diffident is a servant; how bold is a child. The elect angels are not exalted to so high an honour. They approach the throne, but they veil their faces with their wings. They stand clothed in their own righteousness. That high and mysterious privilege of which we speak is reserved for you to enjoy. "Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the spirit of his Son into your heart, crying, Abba, Father," in order

to maintain in you a filial, loving, obedient disposition, and childlike confidence.

What an invaluable blessing is such a heavenly prompter, to such forgetful hearts as ours! We rightly complain of our bad memories; bad indeed, to suffer most that is good to escape, and to lock up as a treasure all that is nonessential or injurious to our happiness. But he, says the Redeemer, "shall bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you." The treasury of comfort is the promises of God: yet how oft are they forgotten, and how spiritless and ineffectual, even when most improved by our own meditations. All the promises of Christ had no effect on the mind of the disciples: Why? The Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified; but when he was glorified, "then remembered they his words." And if, in seasons of distress, the Holy Spirit applies a suitable promise to the desponding mind, how strengthening to faith, how relieving to fear! Then every cloud is stamped with a rainbow, and every desert spot rejoices and blossoms as the

rose. It gilds the bed of death with beams from heaven, and directs and encourages a dying saint to enter his Father's house in peace.

And as the constancy of our acquaintance depends on believing views of the atonement of Christ, he is the object to which the hand of the Spirit continually points. "He shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you." When guilt troubles the conscience, and unbelieving fears oppress the heart, he will conduct you in spirit to Calvary, and place you beneath that wondrous cross, where the fellow of Jehovah bled, and groaned, and died. You shall gaze with wonder and delight upon that precious blood, which gives dignity and harmony to every song which is sung in heaven. The tears of sorrow and of joy shall flow down your cheeks, as you look upon him whom you have pierced, while your heart shall. respond to the dictates of the Spirit, He loved me, he gave himself for me. And as Brutus, when Lucretia killed herself in consequence of the brutality of Tarquin, snatched the dagger from the wound, and swore upon the reeking

blade immortal hatred to the tyrant, so shall you swear eternal enmity and war to those sins which crucified the Lord of life and glory, and separate you from the presence of God. And again and again casting away the filthy rags of your own righteousness, you will rest on a foundation, as extensive as the obedience of the Redeemer's life and death, and unshaken as his eternal power and godhead.

Yes: and when illiterate in the art of prayer, he helps your infirmities with groanings which cannot be uttered, with groanings which reach the throne of glory, and move the heart of the God of glory, those inexpressible, but forcible and right words, which enter into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth, and maketh intercession for the saints, according to the will of God; he who searches all things, even the deep things of God, that knows all the secrets of his mysterious will, shall dictate your petitions, and direct your prayers. If, unskilful in the word of righteousness, and ignorant as untutored infancy, and shedding many a tear for a wise and un

**anding heart to be given you, “he shall

teach you all things;" not indeed all things you wish to know, but all things necessary to promote humble views of yourself, and exalted views of your Lord and Master; all things which characterize the wisdom that is from above, which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy; all things which shall tend to fulfil that promise, "All thy children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of thy children." Unlike an earthly tutor, he bestows the disposition and ability to receive his instructions. "I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people, and I will be their God; for they shall return unto me with their whole heart." And is not this the knowledge after which you sincerely seek?

And when the dark cloud of adversity casts a gloom over all your future prospects, when family trials and worldly troubles crowd thickly upon you; when the fig-tree does not blossom, nor fruit is found in the vine; then he will be

your Comforter. He shall shew you that the