also bear the image of the heavenly; for as is the earthly, such are they also that are earthly; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly," (1 Cor. xv.) Christ is full of grace; and Christians all receive of his fulness, and grace for grace; that is, there is grace in Christians, answering to grace in Christ; such an answerableness as there is between the wax and the seal; there is character for character: such kind of graces, such a spirit and temper, the same things that belong to Christ's character, belong to theirs. That disposition, wherein Christ's character in a special manner consists, therein does his image in a special manner consist. Christians that shine by reflecting the light of the Sun of Righteousness, do shine with the same sort of brightness, the same mild, sweet, and pleasant beams. These lamps of the spiritual temple, that are enkindled by fire from heaven, burn with the same sort of flame. The branch is of the same nature with the stock and root, has the same sap, and bears the same sort of fruit. The members have the same kind of life with the head. It would be strange if Christians should not be of the same temper and spirit that Christ is of; when they are his flesh and his bone, yea, are one spirit; and live so, that it is not they that live, but Christ that lives in them. A Christian spirit is Christ's mark that he sets upon the souls of his people; his seal in their foreheads, bearing his image and superscription. Christians are the followers of Christ; and they are so, as they are obedient to that call of Christ: "Come to me, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart." They follow him as the Lamb: "These are they which follow the

Lamb whithersoever he goeth." True Christians are as it were clothed with the meek, quiet, and loving temper of Christ; for as many as are in Christ have put on Christ. And in this respect the church is clothed with the sun, not only by being clothed with his imputed righteousness, but also by being adorned with his graces. Christ, the great Shepherd, is himself a Lamb, and believers are also lambs; all the flock are lambs: " Feed my lambs." "I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves." The redemption of the church by Christ, from the power of the devil, was typified of old, by David's delivering the lamb out of the mouth of the lion and the bear.

That such is the very nature of the Christian spirit, or the spirit that worketh in Christ, and in his members, is evident by this, that the dove is the very symbol or emblem, chosen of God, to represent it. Those things are fittest emblems of other things, which do best represent that which is most distinguishing in their nature. The Spirit that descended on Christ, when he was anointed of the Father, descended on him like a dove. The dove is a noted emblem of meekness, harmlessness, peace, and love. But the same Spirit that descended on the head of the church, descends to the members. "God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into their hearts." "And if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." There is but one Spirit to the whole Christ breathes

As Christ was

mystical body, head and members. his own Spirit on his disciples. anointed with the Holy Ghost, descending on him like a dove, so Christians also "have an anointing

from the Holy One." And they are anointed with the same oil; it is the same precious ointment on the head, that goes down to the skirts of the garments. And on both it is a spirit of peace and love: "Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, that went down to the skirts of his garments." The oil on Aaron's garments had the same sweet and inimitable odour with that on his head; the smell of the same sweet spices, Christian affections, and a Christian behaviour, is but the flowing out of the savour of Christ's sweet ointments. Because the church has a dovelike temper and disposition, therefore it is said of her that she has doves' eyes: "Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes within thy locks ;"-the same that is said of Christ, "His eyes are as the eyes of doves." And the church is frequently compared to a dove in Scripture: "O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock." "Open to me, my love, my dove." And, "My dove, my undefiled, is but one." "Ye shall be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold." "O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked." The dove that Noah sent out of the ark, that could find no rest for the sole of her foot until she returned, was a type of a true saint.

Meekness is so much the character of the saints, that the meek and the godly are used as synonymous terms in Scripture: the wicked and the meek are set in opposition one to another, as wicked and godly:

"Yet a little while and the wicked shall not be; but the meek shall inherit the earth.” "The Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground."

It is doubtless very much on this account that Christ represents all his disciples, all the heirs of heaven, as little children: "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." "Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water, in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in nowise lose his reward." "Whoso shall offend one of these little ones," &c. "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones." "It is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish." "Little children, yet a little while I am with you.”—Little children are innocent and harmless; they do not do a great deal of mischief in the world; men need not be afraid of them; they are no dangerous sort of persons; their anger does not last long, they do not lay up injuries in high resentment, entertaining deep and rooted malice. So Christians in malice are children,

1 Cor. xiv. 20. Little children are not guileful and deceitful, but plain and simple; they are not versed in the arts of fiction and deceit; and are strangers to artful disguises. They are yieldable and flexable, and not wilful and obstinate; do not trust to their own understanding, but rely on the instructions of parents, and others of superior understanding. Here is therefore a fit and lively emblem of the followers of the Lamb. Persons being thus like little children, is not only a thing highly commendable, and of what

Christians approve, and aim at, and to which some of extraordinary proficiency do attain; but it is their universal character, and absolutely necessary in order to entering into the kingdom of heaven; unless Christ was mistaken: "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.”

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But here some may be ready to say, Is there no such thing as Christian fortitude, and boldness for Christ, being good soldiers in the Christian warfare, and coming out bold against the enemies of Christ and his people?

To which I answer, There doubtless is such a thing. The whole Christian life is compared, and fitly so, to a warfare. And the most eminent Christians are the best soldiers, endued with the greatest degrees of Christian fortitude. And it is the duty of God's people to be steadfast and vigorous in their opposition to the designs and ways of such as are endeavouring to overthrow the kingdom of Christ, and the interest of religion. But yet many persons seem to be quite mistaken concerning the nature of Christian fortitude. It is an exceedingly diverse thing from a brutal fierceness, or the boldness of beasts of prey. True Christian fortitude consists in strength of mind, through grace, exerted in two things; in ruling and suppressing the evil and unruly passions and affections of the mind; and in steadfastly and freely exerting, and following good affections and dispositions, without being hindered by sinful fear,