that the Supreme Being sustains a relation to them, resembling, in some humble measure, that which he bears to his Son, considered as our Representative. A portion of that memorable prayer which was offered by our Lord, in behalf of the whole church, affords ample support to this remark:-"I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." Being perfectly satisfied with all that his beloved Son did and suffered for the salvation of his people, the infinite God is not ashamed to be called their God; yea, he says, "I will be a Father to them, and they shall be my sons and daughters."

The act by which believers are introduced to this Divine relation, is called Adoption; a term, which signifies the reception of penitent sinners into the family of God. This privilege, we understand from the Scriptures, is subsequent in the order of time to the act of believing, and therefore a consequence of regeneration,' and of union with Christ. "As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them who believe in his name; who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." In this act, the Divine Father proclaims, in

effect, to all his intelligent creatures, that he has taken believers into relation with himself, and has thereby fulfilled the promise of his ancient covenant; *"I will call them my people, who were not my people, and her beloved, who was not beloved: and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there shall they be called the children of the living God." Jehovah, then, is our Father, by regenerating grace, by faith in Christ, and by adoption into his family: and this relation he acknowledges by a further grant of his Holy Spirit, by which he excites every emotion of filial attachment, and every principle of devout and affectionate obedience. "Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father."

Such, my christian brethren, is the condescension of the Eternal God; and such is the honourable and happy relation to which you are elevated. If your views of the Supreme Being are correct, you deem it condescension in Him to listen to the hymns of angels, and still greater condescension to superintend the concerns and determine the fate of empires.

* See Dwight on Adoption.

But these acts, imposing and overwhelming as they are, almost vanish, when compared with the instance under consideration: for in this, we contemplate the Proprietor of heaven and earth, surpassing the daily benefactions of his providence, and the ordinary exhibitions of his goodness, by assuming the relation of a covenant God and Father to undeserving and guilty creatures, who might have been justly immolated as the victims of his displeasure, and held up to the eternal aversion of all holy intelligencies. "Look," believers, "look to the rock whence ye were hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye were digged:" and from the depths of your disgrace, as rebels against the Divine government, learn to estimate the magnitude of that condescension by which the Monarch of the universe becomes your affectionate Parent, and unites you to the family of the sanctified. "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God."

A scriptural view of this subject will afford us much encouragement and comfort, when we attempt to approach the Almighty in prayer; for,

1. Regarding Him as our Father, we shall be induced to confess our sins before Him with ingenuousness and penitence. But how can

a soul, deeply wounded with a sense of sin, view the offended Majesty of Heaven in this light? What sentiments can it collect of an encouraging description, from all the voices of nature? What hope of being received with a Father's compassion can it derive, even from the providential mercies which have been bestowed on depraved beings, from the beginning of time? None: for the revelations which nature gives of the moral perfections of God, are but partial; and the goodness of Divine Providence, which seems, in a measure, necessary to a state of probation, is no argument for the manifestation of paternal forgiveness to those who have apostatized from God, and lived in rebellion against him. The Sacred Scriptures only can afford relief and solace to the mind in this critical and anxious state. It is there. that you observe the Lord of heaven and earth displaying, not only his wisdom and power in the government and support of the universe, but his pardoning mercy and parental affection for all who repent and believe the gospel. Witness that tender language, which, though primarily spoken to the repenting Israelites, is applicable to penitents in every age. "Is Ephraim my dear Son, is he a pleasant child? For since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still; therefore my bowels are

troubled for him; I will surely have mercy on him, saith the Lord." Witness that affecting picture of Divine goodness which our Lord has exhibited in the parable of the returning prodigal. "When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion on him, and ran, and fell upon his neck, and kissed him."

Confession of sin is important, in connexion with prayer, as it indicates an aversion to that conduct which is offensive to God, and a desire of that forgiveness which he has promised to bestow, through the atonement of Jesus Christ, on all who truly repent.

Sin, which is the great and only subject of confession, is a dreadful evil. It exhibits its baneful influence, not only in the excesses of the ungodly, but in that secret depravity of heart which is felt and lamented by the most eminent saints. In whatever light this odious principle may be contemplated, it is inconceivably oppressive to the renewed mind: but it never appears in a more affecting light, than when it is viewed in reference to the paternal character of God. Let the christian, who is conscious of having departed from the paths of truth and piety; who, from the review of his carelessness, ingratitude, and folly, is afraid to lift up his eyes to heaven,-be con

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