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heritance; a foretaste, as it were, of that happiness which will be enjoyed in heaven. And in what will this happiness chiefly consist, but in being made like unto God, capable of seeing him of serving him, and of finding pleasure in his service? What then, is the present earnest and foretaste of heavenly happiness,. But a renewal in part, now, to the Divine Image and likeness? What is the pledge of glory hereafter, but Grace here? What is Heaven already begun in the heart, but holiness? And what then is holiness, but that mark, by which the people of God are distinguished, and set apart unto the day of Redemption? They are a peculiar people ;" new creatures in JesusChrist." They have been transformed by the renew ing of their minds. They have put on the Lord Jesus ·· Christ; they bear his image, and reflect his likeness. Faint, indeed, is their present resemblance to him; and far short do they now fall of that perfection, to which they shall hereafter coine. But still, a clear, and a broad distinction prevails between their present and their former state, between their state and that of others. In their views and principles, in their tempers and affections; in their piety, humility, self-denial, and patient continuance in well-doing; they shew that they belong to God, and bear his Image...

Such then is the Seal of the Holy Spirit of God; and it is called His Seal, because he only is the blessed Agent in creating the soul anew. No man can sanctify himself. It is utterly out of his Divine Image on his own heart, and to seal himself unto the day of redemption. This is the peculiar office

power to stamp the

of the Holy Spirit. He finds the soul when dead in trespasses and sins; and quickens it to newness of life. He convinces it of sin. He teaches it to come to Christ for pardon. He enables it to fight the fight of faith; puts into it holy desires; leads it in the paths of righteousness; reproves it when loitering; recalls it when wandering; revives it when fainting; supports it by divine consolations; sheds abroad in it the love of God; and fills it with peace and joy in believing. "All these things worketh that one and the self-same Spirit ;" and thus, by his secret operations on the soul, seals it unto this Day of Redemption. Let us now consider,

II. The Meaning and Importance of the Admonition here given respecting this Divine person..

"Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God." In entering on this subject, it may be necessary to guard against a mistake, into which the expression here used, might possibly lead us. When it is said, "Grieve not the Holy Spirit," let us not hence suppose, that the Holy Spirit is really capable of suffering grief. God cannot suffer, neither is He subject to human passions. Whenever expressions, which have this meaning, are in scripture applied to God; they are so applied merely to suit our apprehensions and capacities. Thus, when it is said in the sixth chapter of Genesis, that "it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at the heart:" it is not meant that God really repented or grieved; for it were impossible that He could do thus. But the meaning is, that men's wickedness was so great and provoking, that God might justly have repented of having made them that He might

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reasonably have looked on their incorrigible depravity with grief. Had a Man met with like ingratitude and disappointment, he would have repented and grieved. So also in the text, when it is said, "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God," we must understand the admonition to say; • Conduct not yourselves towards this Blessed and Divine Person, in such a manner as might justly 'give him offence; as might reasonably furnish him 'with a cause of grief.'-Suppose that you had a tender and valuable friend, who was anxious for your welfare, who with unceasing care watched over your interests, and was doing every thing in his power to promote and secure your peace and happiness. Suppose, that instead of being thankful to this kind friend for his care and watchfulness; instead of listening to his advice, and following his counsels; you should slight his admonitions, should act in a manner directly contrary to his suggestions, and should prefer such company, places, and practices, as he especially warned you to avoid.

What would be the effect of such a conduct on your part? Would you not run the risk of provoking your friend to leave off from advising you, to withdraw his protection from you, and to give you up to the consequences of your folly and perverseness? Would he not justly have reason to be grieved at your ingratitude and obstinacy?-Such a friend, as you have seen, is the Holy Spirit of God. Such is his anxiety and watchfulness over your best and highest interests. Such is the tender concern, which he feels for your spiritual safety and happiness. Make not then such a return to Him for all his kindness, as may subject you to the

charge of grieving Him. Despise not his admonitions. Turn not a deaf ear to his friendly voice. Provoke Him not, by your evil conduct, to withdraw his influences. "Quench not the spirit." "Do not despite unto his grace." Such is the meaning of the admonition. Attend next to the Importance of it.

"Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God. Why? Because it is by Him, that you must be sealed unto the day of Redemption. Recollect what is the gracious part which He takes in your salvation; and then consider what the consequences of grieving Him must be. If a sense of his kindness and love cannot keep you from so great a sin, let a sense of your own danger restrain you. He only can renew your heart unto holiness, and can make you fit for heaven. He only can give you the pledge and earnest of heavenly happiness, and can stamp the divine Image on your soul. And if this Image be not stamped on your soul, what will become of you ? The day of Redemption to others will be no day of Redemption to you. While the Ransomed of the Lord, bearing his image, and sealed with his seal, shall in that day lift up their heads with joy, you will awake to everlasting shame and contempt. Wanting the mark which distinguishes the people of God, it will be clear that you belong not to that blessed company. And to whom will it be clear that you do helong? To him, whose likeness you will bear, to him, whom you will resemble in unholiness and sin, and with whom, therefore, you will have your portion for ever and ever. Such must be the cousequence of grieving the Holy Spirit of God. Such must be the just VOL. II.

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and certain punishment of your perverseness and ingratitude; if you now reject his friendly counsels, and by your disobedience provoke him to leave you to yourself. Behold then, the Importance of the admonition in the text. Your present peace, your eternal happiness depend on your compliance with it. What more need be said to engage your compliance? It must surely be your desire and resolution not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God. In the hope that you thus desire and resolve, I shall point out, by way of application, some things, which directly tend to "grieve Him," and of which therefore you will do well scrupulously to beware.

1. Beware of doing any thing, which your Conscience, enlightened by the Word of God, forbids you to do. The admonitions of Conscience are the admonitions of the Spirit secretly striving with you. So that to shut your ears against these admonitions, is to shut your ears against the voice of the Spirit. And what more likely way can you take of grieving Him, and provoking Him altogether to withdraw his grace and mercy from you? We read of some who "concerning faith had made shipwreck." Aud how did they fall into this apostate condition, but by "having put away a good conscience ?" Beware then of resisting this inward Monitor. Does your inclination, does the example or persuasion of others, tempt you to do any thing, which your conscience condemns ? do it not. Nay, if you have only some doubts whether the thing be lawful or not, still abstain from doing it. For whatsoever is not of faith, is sin. However innocently in itself

b 1 Tim. i. 19.