instruct the ignorant-to direct the wavering-to comfort the mourner, and establish the weak: thus endea vouring to spread abroad a knowledge and savour of Christ's name. To this purpose are the injunctions given, "Be ready always to give an answer to every man who asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you. 1 Pet. iii. 15. Let the word of Christ dwell richly in you in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another. Col. iii. 16. Comfort yourselves together, and edify one another." 1 Thes. v. 11. This confession of Christ's name is obligatory upon all Christians of all descriptions; and the fitness for it is common to all more or less.

Christians are priests, inasmuch as they present themselves living sacrifices of thankfulness to Christ. To do this they have full right, since "they have boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us through the vail, that is to say, his flesh." Heb. x. 20. This freedom of access, believers under the Old Testament had not, for the way into the holiest was not yet manifested, while the first tabernacle was yet standing; the High Priest alone entering therein once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and the errors of the people. Heb. ix. 7. Jesus when he offered up himself once for all, for the sins of his people, obtained this privilege for them, They, therefore, need not, neither can they make any sacrifice for sin, but only a thank-offering of them. selves, and all they enjoy. They present their bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is their reasonable service. Rom. xii. Thus they also offer the sacrifices of praise to God continually; that is, the fruit of their lips giving thanks to his name. Heb. 13. 15. To do good and to communicate they forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Heb. 13. 16. In like manner, they

offer the sacrifices of their broken hearts and contrite spirits. Ps. li. 17. They are also ready to offer up themselves as witnesses for the truth; to seal it with their lives. Phil. ii. 17. 2 Tim. iv. 6. Teachers

make offerings of those who are converted through their instrumentality, as Paul did. Rom. xv. 16. These offerings of praise and thanksgiving do Christians make to God, as spiritual priests. For this work they are fitted, inasmuch as they are" complete in Christ who is the head." Col. ii. 10. This is their great perfection, that they are in Jesus, not having their own righteousness which is of the law, but the righteousness of Christ through faith. Phil. in. 9. Every other Christian perfection is idle- the dream of enthusiasts, void of knowledge. Besides this, Christians are holy; like the king's daughter, they are glorious within, their clothing is of wrought gold. Ps. xlv. 13.

As the priest was not only to offer, but to intercede and pray for the people; and as Christ does this for his people-so they also, in their priestly 'capacity, pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit," Eph. vi. 18. offering supplications, prayers, and intercessions for all men. 1 Tim. ii. 1. In this, as far as they are able, they imitate their master, and discover the benign spirit of his Gospel, which teaches Christians to pray and intercede even for their enemies.

Christians are kings, inasmuch as, "with a free and good conscience, they fight against sin and satan in this life, and afterwards reign with him eternally over all creatures." They possess a noble and enlarged disposition. Their consciences are purified from dead works; they are void of offence towards God and man. This results from that great moral change wrought in them by the Spirit of the Lord. They have become new creatures.

Vol. III.-No. XI. 4 K

Sin engenders meanness of soul and conduct. Where the dominion of sin is destroyed, this of course will be removed more or less; at least it discovers itself rarely. It may be, that worldlings do not discover this change in believers. The morality of the world is so different from the morality of the Gospel; and the views which each afford of true nobility are so widely different, as to make this a matter of course. Yet let worldlings declaim on this subject as they please, a Christian is the noblest work of God. His temper is divine and heavenly; far removed from the comparatively grovelling views of the unregenerate. What but sin is ignoble? What but holiness is noble? Hence the Christian, having obtained by grace a free and good conscience, is master of his own spirit. He keeps in due subjection his unruly appetites and passions, those rebels against the law of his God. "He keeps his heart with all diligence, knowing that out of his heart proceed the issues of life."

Thus at peace within, he can attend to his concerns abroad. There he has enemies with whom he is obliged constantly to war. These enemies are

Sin and Satan. Against these he fights in this life as a king at the head of his subjects. His heart, like a well-fortified kingdom, is impregnable, because the Spirit of Christ keeps and defends it. The faculties of his soul and the powers of his body he uses in his combats with his foes. These are deadly and inveterate in their hatred to the truth, and all who love it. There can be no compromise-Death or Victory is the Christian's watchword. He fights manfully against principalities, and powers, and spiritual wickednesses in high places. This world, lying in sin, is also leagued against him. He is therefore crucified to the world, and the world to him. He resists unto blood all its snares and temptations. Thus he will go on battling

This is

his enemies, until death closes the scene. his last enemy, and over this also he will be victo rious. In eternity he will reign with God and his Christ over all creatures. Rev. iii. 21. Then will he be seated on a throne, high and lifted up, with his fellow-Christians to judge the world, associated with their great head in this great work. 1 Cor. vi. 2, 3. Reader, are you called a Christian? Examine

yourself whether you are united to Christ and do par. take of his unction. If not, you are deceiving yourself with vain hopes, and the end of your journey, unless God change your state by his grace, will be perdition. If you are, cherish your inestimable privileges, and walk worthy of your high vocation.

SELECT SENTENCES.

If you would so see the sinfulness of sin as to loath it and to mourn for it, do not not stand looking upon sin, but first look upon Christ as suffering and satisfying.

Wilcox.

Prove your conversion, and you need not doubt of your election.

Allein.

Is a father to be blamed for striking a cup of poi son out of his child's hand? Or God, for stripping us of those outward comforts which would run away with our hearts from him?

Madon

FOR THE CHRISTIAN'S MAGAZINE

CHURCH OF GOD.

No. XVI.

Officers, &c.

KNOWLEDGE is power," in the same sense

in which every other instrument may be denominated power; viz. as a means to an end. By itself it is as inefficient as any material weapon whatever. The weapon is useless without a hand to employ it. No better is knowledge detached from a sound head. It would be wasting time to prove that mere learning is among the most feeble and inert of human things. Prodigies of erudition are frequently destitute of common sense; and, in the practical business of life, in all that relates to the direction of inen, are more impotent than children. Such reservoirs of unassorted facts answer one good purpose, and only one; they furnish materials for those who can think. Heavy plodding industry must be content with the useful property, and the humble praise, of a pioneer for brain. Learning, therefore, although indispensable to an ability to teach," will not, of itself, impart that ability. To give it its proper effect two things are necessary:

1. Good sense.

2. Good sense well disciplined.

On the first we have already expressed our opinion; but its great importance will excuse a few additional remarks.