without him they can do nothing. The principle of animation ever discovers an inclination to preserve its connection with that which is animated by it; this is obvious in not only rational life, but even in animal likewise. So, Christ has always discovered an entire, infinite inclination to keep and preserve his people in connection with himsel. He influences them to love, and labour for the meat which perisheth not. He alarms their fears that they may escape danger, and strengthens their faith that they may lay hold of eternal life, secures their love by fresh discoveries of divine beauties, and the suitableness of celestial objects, to heaven-born souls. Thus he draws them in the paths of duty by the bands of love, and by the cords of a man. He is the author of their preservation in such a way, as to prevent presumption, and secure their attention to appointed means, which divine wisdom has connected with the desired end. He says he will never leave them, but will be with them always to the end of the world; and writes his law in their hearts, that they might not finally depart from him. He saves them therefore, not contrary to their inclination, but with their free consent, and fervent desire. He that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit; 1 Cor. vi. 17. Between Jesus and them, there is a oneness in perception, affection, interest, and end. As they are precious to him, so he is precious to

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them the chief among ten thousand, and altogether lovely. His interest is theirs, and theirs is his. He rejoiceth in the prosperity of his people, and they esteem Jerusalem, i. e. his cause on earth, above their chief joy; his revealed designs correspond with their real desires. The destruction of sin, and the perfection of purity they long for. He gave his life for them, neither do. they count theirs too dear to sacrifice on his behalf; their life therefore is in their hand ready to be delivered up at their Saviour's call. They rejoice in Jesus on account of his mediatorial obedience, not only as it is their security from condemnation, but as it does infinite honour to heaven's righteous law. What Christ has done intentionally centres, and will ultimately terminate, in the vindication of God's moral government, and the eternal display of Jehovah's essential perfections, in all their native beauty, and infinite excellency, grandeur, and glory, that God, to whom sinners have an aversion, may appear and be acknowledged, not only by angels but by men, as all in all. As influenced by grace, the true believer says, Oh, how I love thy law! I delight in the law of God after the inward man. Jehovah he admires and adores, and when he takes a solemn view of the great Eternal, whose glory dazzles angelic eyes, he is astonished, confounded, and lost, in pleasing wonder. He

sinks into profound contempt of himself, and feels keen reflections on his criminal want of affection to, and departures from a being so infinitely deserving the supreme love of men and angels. But on the revival of hope, with humble reverence, and holy rapture he sings, "The Lord is my portion, "saith my soul. He is my rock and fortress, "and my deliverer, my God, my strength, my "buckler, my salvation, and my high tower. "In his presence is fulness of joy, at his right "hand are pleasures for evermore. Then shall "I be satisfied, when I awake in his likeness." Though conscious of meanness and demerit, his language now is, Will he plead against me with his great power? No, but he will put strength I know whom I have believed. He hath said my grace shall be sufficient for thee, my strength is made perfect in weakness. The Lord will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

into me.

As such souls freely give themselves unto the Lord, so he receives them graciously and rejoiceth in them as his spouse, his property, and portion ; it is his will, and their desire to be like him, and with him for ever, and for them to `die is gain. Therefore though shoals of professors perish, none who are possessors of his grace ever shall. Their internal life is eternal in its duration; for

thus saith the Lord, "I give unto my sheep eter"nal life, and they shall never perish, neither "shall any pluck them out of my hand;" John x. 28. "He that believeth on him is not con"demned;" John iii. 18. There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit; Rom. viii. 1. As there is no condemnation to such now, there never shall be any. Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth 66 my word and believeth, shall not come into "condemnation, but is passed from death unto "life; John v. 24. Whoso believeth on him "shall not perish, but have eternal life; John iii. "15, 16. They shall never die, though they

were dead, yet shall they live; John xi. 25. "Who shall separate them from the love of "Christ? Rom. viii. 35. Whose spirit is in them "as a well of water springing up into everlasting “ life; John iv. 14. He that hath the Son hath "life, and he that hath not the Son hath not life, " but are dead while they live." Those therefore who are vitally united to Christ cannot lose their spiritual life while he maintains his own; for he hath said, Because I live ye shall live also. Being bought by his precious blood, and kept by almighty power, they therefore may conclude with the apostle, "That, when Christ who is their life, shall

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" appear, they shall also appear with him in glory."

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There is therefore no real contradiction in the declarations in scripture, though they may to some appear opposite, respecting the final state of those who are united to Christ; for salvation is not inseparably connected with a visible, but with a vital union to the Son of God. Those who perish never were spiritually in Christ: he was never the home of their hearts. They never approved of him, nor he of them; therefore he will say to all that shall be doomed to destruction, I never knew you. Though they may have been among the saints, yet such were never of them; but of a contrary character all the while. Hence of apostates, the apostle thus speaks: They went out from us, but they were not of us, for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us, but they went out that they might be made manifest, that they were not all of us, but ye have an unction from the holy one, &c. 1 John ii. 19, 20. Thus it appears, that a visible and vital union to Christ are very distinct; and yet they are not opposites, for a profession of Christ cannot be deemed contrary to a possession of him. Again, vital union, is distinct from virtual, though one is not contrary or opposite to the other. -By virtual union with Christ, is intended a real connection subsisting between him and the elect of