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is to the Church. By his powerful agency, its members are not only enlightened and actuated individually; but, like the several parts of the natural body, they are connected and held together in spiritual peace, order, union, and harmony.*

Such, and so great are the privileges and endowments of a Christian. However those, that sit in the chair of the scorner, may mock at the counsel of God, and deride the operations of his Holy Spirit; they, who have expe

εν ημιν κατοικούντος, ένα ωμεν αυτου ναοί, και αυτος η εν ημιν θεος ημων, όπερ και ECTLY και φανήσεται προ προσωπου ημων εξ ών δικαίως αγαπωμεν

Ignat. Epist. ad Ephes.

AUTOY.

Conversemur quasi Dei templa, ut Deum in nobis constet habitare. Nec sit degener actus noster a Spiritu, ut

qui cœlestes et spirituales esse cœpimus, non nisi spiri

tualia et cœlestia cogitemus et agamus.

Orat. Domin.

*Barrow's Works. Vol. ii. p. 505,

1

Cyprian. de

rienced the benefit of his influence, thankfully acknowledge the greatness of his power in the conversion and sanctification of a sinner. They know, in whom they have believed. If God be for them, who can be against them? In all things they are more than conquerors through him that loved them.

His

Blessed be God, even in these latter days of the Christian Church, his arm is not shortened. He is still both able and willing to save all, who come to him in his Son's name. promises yet receive their accomplishment, nor can one jot or one tittle of his word fail. As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself bearing witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and, if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ. For I am

persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.*

* Rom. viii. 14. 38.

CHAPTER VI.

The Holy Spirit, a Comforter, and an Intercessor.

THE Christian, who has been accustomed to observe the workings of his heart, well knows that there are times, in which his views of a better, world are greatly darkened and obscured. He is deprived of that comfortable reliance on the fatherly goodness of God, which once constituted his greatest joy and his highest privilege. His love towards his Saviour appears to be strangely diminished; and, instead of that fervent affection which once he experienced, he feels nothing but a cold and painful indifference. He sees others rejoicing

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