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Apostle, "beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." It is in this consciousness that the cry is made, Abba, Father."

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There is something very beautiful in the repetition of the words, Abba, Father." They are two different languages, the Syriac and the Greek-the one, the common language used by Jews; the other, used by the Gentilesand thus united, as ifthe Apostle would express, that, in whatever language the Spirit of adoption leads a child of God to prayer, it is as a child he prays. Does he address God as a converted Hebrew, it is " Abba ;" does he address him as a converted Gentile, it is " Father." In Jesus, he is the Father of Abraham's seed, and the Father of those who partake of his faith. It seems also to express the common privilege of all the children of God; that they may each use both languages; that Jew and Gentile, brought into one fold, may address God in the language of either. He is Abba to to the Gentiles, as well as Abba to the Jews; to whom he is a Father, as well as the Father of the Gentiles.

I have explained this, my beloved friends, the more at length, that you may, by tracing

* Rom. viii. 16.

the process, be the better enabled to come to some settled judgment upon your own state. You clearly perceive that it is the design of God that his people should live in the enjoyment of this blessed privilege. He sits upon a throne of grace with this title written over it; "As a Father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him." His Son sits at his right hand with this declaration; "That to as many as receive him, to them he gives power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name t." The Holy Spirit comes down into the heart as the Spirit of adoption t. -This, my friends, is the dispensation under which we are living; and the more you examine it, and become acquainted with it, the more clearly you will perceive, that, if there be no natural infirmity of mind or body, it is either unbelief, or some sin grieving the Spirit of God, that prevents your possessing the privilege. The Lord as a Father pities you; Jesus is ready to present you as a son in his merits; and the Holy Spirit to dwell in you as the Spirit of adoption.

Are you, then, making a profession of religion? Permit me to ask under what spirit do you live? Is it a spirit of bondage, again to fear?

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Are you constantly doubting, and distrusting God? Be assured that this ought not so to be.

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Christ has delivered us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us*." He came to introduce us to a more generous state; namely, one in which we " may serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life." Is there any thing, then, which 'grieves the Spirit?" This may cause the withdrawment of him as a Spirit of adoption, and give occasion for a spirit of bondage. If this be the case, renounce it; and not only renounce, but confess it to God; and, applying to the true mercy-seat, the crucified Saviour, seek for pardon and reviving grace. This, my friends, this is the way to restore the soul.

Let it be recollected, that whilst the Lord Jesus gives the privilege of becoming the sons of God, it is the Comforter who maintains a sense of this privilege as the Spirit of adoption. Seek, then, to obtain this Divine Agent. His grace will, as I said this morning, preserve you in a happy frame. Sorrow may come, suffering may come, death may come; but none of these things will be able to move you, whilst you can approach a throne of grace, crying, Abba, Father." In sorrow, conso

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* Gal. iii. 13. + Luke i. 74, 75.

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+ Eph. iv. 30.

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lation shall be given; in suffering, strength shall be imparted; and when death approaches, it will be seen to have lost its sting. For he who describes God as a compassionate Father, says also, "when I pass through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

* Psalm xxiii. 4.

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SERMON XII.

THE IMMUTABILITY OF GOD'S COUNSEL.

HEB. vi. 17, 18.

Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath; that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.

THIS beautiful Epistle was written not, like some others, to remove particular errors in doctrine or practice, but, among other purposes, to establish the believing Hebrews in the Christian faith, and to keep them stedfast amidst surrounding temptations. It contains, therefore, that "strong meat" which is so suitable for a trying hour, when the believer requires the reality of the Christian life. Such a glorious exhibition of our Saviour is presented, as may make the true disciples feel at ease under such

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