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tians, without a written gospel, except "that which was written on the heart of "the humble believer by the spirit's minis"tration." Whilst the first apostles preached, indeed, the Holy Ghost vouchsafed, by a visible effect, to announce his presence; but after the apostolic age, the same appearances were not necessary. Other evidences were produced, and amongst these, the ordinary effusions of the same spirit.

It is not my intention, to enter into a discussion on the nature and manner of the spirit's operations. Peruse the scriptures. Every page of the epistles considers the influence of the spirit, as the first motive of belief, the first incitement to religious virtue. A reflection on this part of revelation, at once evinces the superiority of the christian system to that of every other declaration of morality. Here we have an impulse, strong and powerful; not indeed contrary to our reason, but above every human expectation. The extraordinary gifts of the comforter, it is true, have ceased: but examine the interior of the good man,

see reason to suppose that the

and you will apostle's ob

scrvation

servation still remains in force--" as many "as are led by the spirit of God, they are "the sons of God."

That this is the great test by which the evidence of christianity should be tried, is manifest from the answer of our Lord himself to the Jews, who were astonished at the wisdom which he displayed, considering the slender means which they knew he had enjoyed, of information. "How knoweth "this man letters having never learned?

Jesus answered them and said, My doc"trine is not mine, but his that sent me. "If any man will do his will, he shall

know of the doctrine whether it be of "God, or whether I speak of myself." Let the convert but do his will, and he will ask for, he will want, no further evidence of the truth of his profession. Internal -conviction will follow his obedience; he will know the doctrines to be derived from heaven, and he will find this faith to be the mean, the only mean, of carrying himself thither.

Examples will not be wanting to prove the benefit of this preventing grace. The apostles

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apostles who went down to Emmaus, no doubt, were well acquainted with the Jewish scriptures; yet it was not till the Lord opened their understandings, that they were able to comprehend the most important passages relating to himself. The Lord, too, we are told in the Acts," opened the "heart of Lydia, that she attended to the

preaching of Paul." And the Lord, in every age, and in every corner of the world, will open the heart of the sincere believer, and make him wise unto salvation. " Lo! "I am with you alway, even unto the end "of the world."

All the doctrines of the christian religion have a natural tendency to reform the manners and regulate the passions of mankind. They develope a scheme of salvation which cannot be equalled by the utmost stretch of human imagination. They proclaim a God, the parent and benevolent promoter of the happiness of man. They offer to us a Saviour, who was at once a sacrifice for sin, and an ensample of godly life. They lead us to the knowledge of an holy and essential Spirit, whose divine influence invigorates

the

the cause of christianity, illuminates the understanding of the faithful, and disposes them to receive with meekness the en"grafted word which is able to save their "souls."

It cannot be supposed that such an arrangement of divine wisdom could ever have been the invention of man. And when the practice of religious virtue is added to religious belief, we may be said, in the apostle's language, to have the witness in ourselves: "the spirit itself bearing witness with our spirit, that we are the chil"dren of God."

When we consider the evidences of christianity in this light, we shall not wonder that "not many wise men after the flesh, "not many mighty, not many noble are "called." Truth lies within an humble breast, and reposes safely in a contrite spirit.

In this consists the difference between external and internal testimony. The principles of reason in both cases are exerted with good effect. They arrive at the desired point by different roads. But here is the danger. In the former instance, the un

derstanding is convinced without influencing the will; the inclinations are drawn aside by the allurements of the world; and the whole cause is lost in the moment of victory. In the latter, the same affections which promoted the habit of goodness, preserve the will from falling a sacrifice to perverted knowledge. The will, being thus confirmed by the practice of every christian grace, reflects with double lustre every beam which it has received from the understanding, The evidence of the truth of christianity becomes considerably stronger, in propor tion to the conviction that her doctrines come from God. The believer of external evidence may, through the divine blessing, find the path which leadeth unto life; the believer of internal evidence, according to the promise of the Father, if he place himself under the direction of the Spirit of truth, must, (in all humility be it said,) experience that degree of certainty, which is the fruit of righteousness. Many shall "be purified, and made white, and tried," says Daniel," but the wicked shall do