To judge whether we are accepted of God, we must inquire whether Christ dwells in us-whether we are conformed to his character, influenced by his doctrines, and governed by his precepts. The reality of our faith is best proved by our constancy in the love and practice of religion. It is not safe to conclude that we are justified unto life, before we have time to inquire whether Christ thus dwells in our hearts by faith. There is nothing more contrary to the instructions and cautions of the gospel, than strong and bold conclusions in our own favor, before we have the evidence which arises from the efficacy of faith in purifying the heart. It is the work of faith, the labor of love, the patience of hope, and the fruit of godly sorrow, which manifest the existence of these graces in the soul.

III. The Apostle prays, that the Ephesian Christians "may be rooted and grounded in love."

By love he doubtless intends love to Christ, who is the object mentioned immediately before and after. Love to Christ is one of the great principles of religion. If any man love not our Lord Jesus Christ, he is pronounced accursed. But grace is promised to them, who love him in sincerity.

This love is not merely an emotion of the heart on a view of the great things which Christ has done and suffered: It is a temper in the soul leading us to approve of him, delight in him, and cleave to him in his whole character, as a teacher, ruler and redeemer. It includes a love of his example, doctrines and precepts, as well as gratitude for his mediation, and rejoicing in the hope of his salvation.

"If ye

True love to Christ is Supreme; it surpasses all earthly affections. He has said, "whosoever loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me." The genuine effect of this love is obedience. love me," says our Lord, "keep my commandments." -"Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I have commanded you." VOL. III.

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Where love to Christ reigns, there will be a hatred of sin and watchfulness against it. "They who are Christ's have crucified the flesh." There will be a high admiration of, and ready compliance with the way of salvation through him. The believer "counts all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, and suffers the loss of all things to win him," There will be a concern to promote his honor and interest in the world. Peter was to testify his love to his Lord by feeding his flock.

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Christians are to be rooted and grounded in love." True love is rooted in the heart. It is an habitual temper discovering itself in the fruits of holiness, Where this love is rooted, there is an acquaintance with the religion of Christ, a settled belief of its divinity, and a high esteem of its excellence and importance; and this love will be accompanied with a steady resolution to abide in the doctrine of Christ, whatever dangers may attend it. He only who cleaves to the Lord with purpose of heart, can be said to be rooted and grounded in love.

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Imagine not, that love to Christ is a mere sensitive affection, like that which we sometimes feel toward natural objects; or that it is a transient emotion excited merely by a view of Christ, as a man suffering unjustly from the hands of cruel enemies; or only a delightful sensation arising from an apprehension of him as one who loves us and is ready to save us. Such feelings are no more than what wicked men may have under certain circumstances. They come far short of that love which the gospel requires. This is nothing less. than a love of Christ's complete character a love of his whole gospel-a love of the way in which salvation is offered. It is a holy temper corresponding with the holy nature of its object. It is a spiritual affection toward Christ viewed as a spiritual Saviour. Its fruits are love to good men-imitation of Christ's example. -obedience to his commands-attendance on his in

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stitutions-zeal for his honor-and diligence in his service.

IV. Another petition for these Ephesian converts is "that they may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge."

All that Christ has done and suffered in our cause, is in no degree the effect of our desert, but wholly the fruit of his own pure benevolence. "He loved us and gave himself for us."-" Hereby perceive we his love, because he laid down his life for our sakes."

This love passes our knowledge; it exceeds our comprehension; but there is a sense in which we may know it, and should endeavor, with all saints, more and more to comprehend it.

1. The love of Christ passeth knowledge.

It passes all known examples of love. The prophet, speaking of the love of God manifested in the forgive, ness of sinners, says, "His ways are not as our ways, nor his thoughts as our thoughts: But as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are his ways higher than our ways, and his thoughts than our thoughts."

Great instances of goodness have now and then been known among men. The parent for his childrenone friend for another has done and suffered much. The parent who is evil can give good things to his children. For a good man peradventure some would dare to die. This, however, is the highest exertion of human love, that a man lay down his life for his friend. But the love of Christ far exceeds this: He has commended his love toward us, in that, while we were sinners and enemies, he died for us."

This love passes our comprehension. We may have a just conception of it; but we cannot comprehend its dimensions: The Apostle speaks of the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of the love of Christ which passeth knowledge."

It passes knowledge in respect of its breadth, or extent. It, in some respects, extends to the whole world to all nations in all ages, from Adam down to the close of the human succession. The benefits which it has procured, are offered to all on the same terms, without any distinction. They are not confined to this or that people, or to this or that period, or to any par. ticular description or character; but are to all, and up. on all them who believe, whether Jews or Gentiles, male or female, bond or free, young or old, great sinners or small; and there is no difference.

Yea; this love extends, not only to men, but to angels, who look with pleasure into the wonders of redemption, and learn from the church the manifold wisdom of God. All things, which are in heaven and in earth, are to be gathered together in Christ and to become one family. Hence the angels are represented as joining with the elders in this song of praise to the Lamb. Thou art worthy-for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood-."

How vast is the breadth of Christ's love! What myriads of the human race, in the long succession from the first to the last generation of mortals, will be made partakers of it? Many indeed will perish, but the nations of them who are saved, will be such multitudes as no man can number. And besides these, there is an innumerable company of angels-ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, who worship the Redeemer and give honor to his

name.

The love of Christ passes knowledge, in respect of its length. It is an everlasting love. Believers are chosen of God in him before all ages, that they might be holy and without blame before him in love. He, from the days of eternity, entered into a covenant of peace with God, in which he engaged to make his soul an offering for sin, and received a promise, that he should see his seed, and the pleasure of the Lord

should prosper in his hands. This engagement he, in the fulness of time, executed, by assuming our flesh and bearing our sins on the cross. The salvation which his death has purchased for believers is an everlasting salvation. As his thoughts of love were from eternity, so the effects of his love will last to eternity.

The depth of Christ's love passes knowledge. In his unbounded compassion to our race, he laid aside his divine form-his heavenly glory-made himself of no reputation-took on him the fashion of a man-the form of a servant--and humbled himself to death, even the death of the cross. Can we conceive what he suf fered for our sakes, when his soul was filled with sorrow, his frame convulsed with pain, his sweat like drops of blood, his limbs distended on the tree, his hands and feet pierced with nails, and his side with a spear, and his voice raised to heaven in this strong and bitter cry, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" O the depth of that love which brought the Son of God from heaven to such a depth of humiliation and distress! Again: The height of Christ's love passes knowledge. Being exalted to the highest heavens, he employs himself in works of love and grace. He intercedes for them who come to God in his name-he dispenses the heavenly gifts which he has received for men-he watches over his church, and sheds down his gracious influence for her preservation and increase.

His love passes knowledge, as the benefits which it has procured exceed all human estimation. The Apostle preached "the unsearchable riches of Christ." Who can conceive the value of that pardon, the worth of that salvation, and the glory of that inheritance, which he has purchased for the saints? Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." This "peace of God passeth all understanding."-" Eye hath not seen, nor car. heard, neither have entered into the hearts of men the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."