cation is of the Spirit, we also read that effectual prayer of Jesus Christ, "Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth."

Although all the means of sanctification may be comprehended under the word of God and prayer, yet there are many subordinate means, which have a powerful efficacy in giving application and force to these. In this light may be considered the ministry, the reading of good books, attendance on the sacraments, and fasting. There is one means of grace of this class which we are not required to resort to, but which is often employed by our heavenly Father with great effect, in promoting the sanctification of his children; I mean the chastisements of his rod. The benefit of affliction is often celebrated in Scripture; and almost every child of God can, after a few years' experience, adopt the language of the royal Psalmist, and say, "It was good for me that I was afflicted." And Paul testifies, that though "no chastisement for the present is joyous but grievous, yet afterwards it worketh the peaceable fruits of righteousness in them who are exercised thereby.” Afflictions are often used as the means of recovering the children of God from a state of backsliding; as says David, "Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep thy testimonies."

Though Christians do not arrive at sinless perfection in this life, yet it is a state to which every humble child of God shall attain at death. Christ will present his whole body before his Father's throne, "without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." "We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”

CHAPTER XXVI.

GOOD WORKS; OR, CHRISTIAN DUTIES.

"TRUTH is in order to goodness;" and the great touchstone of truth, is, its tendency to promote holiness, according to the Saviour's rule, "By their fruits shall ye know them."

Good works are such as the law of God requires to be performed by all persons, according to the relations in which they stand, and the positive precepts which he has enjoined, and which are in force at the time. They have been commonly divided into three classes, the duties which we owe to God, to our neighbour, and to ourselves; but in strict propriety of speech, all our duties, whoever may be the object, are due to God. He is our Lawgiver, and we are under the moral government of no other.

Though Christ fulfilled the preceptive part of the law in the room of God's chosen people, yet he did not thereby free them from the obligation of obedience to the moral law. Such a release from moral obligation is inconceivable; for it is impossible that a creature should not be under obligations to love and honour his Creator; but if such exemption from law were possible, it would be no blessing but a curse; for our happiness consists in conformity to the law of God. "In keeping thy commandments, there is a great reward."

As the obligation to obedience cannot be removed, so neither can the requisitions of the law, as some

suppose, be lowered. Man must ever be as much bound to love God with the whole heart, as to love him at all. If man had fulfilled the condition of the first covenant, which required perfect obedience during his probation, he would not have been free from moral obligation to obedience, in consequence of his justification. Angels, who are supposed to be now confirmed in happiness, are as much under obligation to love God as ever. Indeed, as has been hinted, holiness and happiness are inseparable. The Holy Scriptures abound in exhortations to Christians to be diligent, zealous, and persevering in the performance of the respective duties of their stations; in the performance of which, divine aid may be asked, and confidently expected.

Some duties are incumbent on all classes of people; such as the worship of God, doing good to men, and abstaining from every thing which would have a tendency to dishonour Christ, to injure our neighbour, or hinder our own usefulness and improvement. Two things especially are incumbent on all, in relation to their fellow-creatures residing on the earth with them. The first is, the communication of saving knowledge to such as are so unfortunate as to be destitute of this precious treasure. This is a duty of universal obligation, though the means proper to be used by different persons will vary, according to the variety of the circumstances in which they are placed. It is the duty of all Christians to "let their conversation be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that it may minister grace to the hearers." It is also made their duty to exhort and admonish one another, and that daily, lest any be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. All Christians are bound also to teach by example as well as by precept, by exhibiting to

the view of all who see them a holy life. "Let," says Paul, "your conversation be such as becometh the gospel." And our blessed Lord in his sermon on the mount, commands: "Let your light so shine, that others seeing your good works, may glorify your Father who is in heaven." It is evident from the very nature of this duty, which arises from our obligation to love our neighbour as ourselves, that all Christians are bound to send the gospel to those who are destitute of this necessary means of salvation; for, "how can they hear without a preacher, and how can they preach except they be sent ?" All, therefore, according to their ability, should contribute toward this object, by supporting missionaries, aiding in the printing and circulation of Bibles and evangelical tracts, and maintaining institutions of learning for the training of ministers. But this duty of diffusing abroad the precious seed of divine truth, devolves especially on those who have been called to the holy ministry, who have been ordained for this very purpose, to publish to every creature the gospel of the grace of God. When a dispensation of the gospel is committed to any one, he will incur a fearful load of guilt if he turn aside to any secular employment. This may be learned from many things left on record by the apostle Paul. He calls God to witness that he was free from the blood of all men at Ephesus, because he had not ceased to declare unto them repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; evidently intimating, that if he had not been thus faithful and diligent, he would have incurred the guilt of their destruction; which is exactly in accordance with what is said respecting the unfaithful watchman in Ezekiel. The duty of preaching, to

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those who are called and have undertaken the office, is not optional, which is evident from what Paul says, in another place, "Wo is me, if I preach not the gospel."

Others, who have the instruction of youth committed to them, are under peculiar obligations to instil into their opening minds the doctrines of God's holy word. Parents, guardians of orphans, masters of servants or apprentices, and teachers of schools of every kind, are bound by this obligation, from which no human laws can exempt them.

Another duty of universal obligation is, to pray to God for his blessing on all the nations of the earth; and especially on kings and all that are in authority, not only that they may obtain salvation, but that Christians under a wise and equitable administration of law, "may lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty." All are bound to join cordially and fervently in the public prayers of the church, and not to neglect the assembling themselves together, as the manner of some is. We have encouragement also to agree together in smaller associations for prayer; and are assured that Christ will be present in such meetings, and that the concordant prayers there offered, will be graciously answered. And who can doubt, that, as we are commanded “to pray without ceasing," and "to pray every where, lifting up holy hands," family prayer is an incumbent duty? But in addition to all these, "we should enter into our closets, and shut the door, and pray to our Father in secret; and our Father who seeth in secret will reward us openly."

Among the prescribed duties of Christians, there is none which is more solemnly and emphatically inculcated, than a compassionate regard to the poor and