rious over them, would be mysterious, but the believer's progress to his father's kingdom is inconceivably more mysterious. He is weak in himself, he is opposed by innumerable enemies both within and without : "He wrestles not with flesh and blood, but with principalities and powers, with the rulers of the darkness of this world; with spiritual wickedness in high places; and notwithstanding this fiery conflict, he rises more than a conqueror. This part of the divine wisdom, however mysterious, ought freely to be avowed. It is intimately connected with the peace and joy of the spiritual pilgrim; with the glory of the grace and faithfulness and power of a promising God. The apostle thus addresses the believing Philippians,-"Being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

This passage suggests practical instruction, equally interesting to those who minister, and to those who receive the word of salvation.

1. It may be inferred that, in divine revelation, there are many doctrines mysterious in their nature. Jehovah is a being infinitely above us: his way is in the sea, his path in the great waters, and his footsteps are not known it is therefore reasonably to be expected, that when HE communicates his will to man there must be some things hard

to be understood: truths which our finite capacities are unable to comprehend in their full extent and connection. "Who hath

known the mind of the Lord? Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection ?--For what man knoweth the things of a man save the spirit of man which is in him?".

The child does not always see the propriety of the conduct of its parents; all the arrangements of the sovereign may not be satisfactorily obvious to the subject: Even so the things of God knoweth none but the Spirit of God. Must vain mortals presumptuously expect to trace all the movements of HIM who is WONDERFUL IN COUNSEL; WHO MAKETH DARKNESS HIS PAVILION, and scarcely discovers the skirts of his glory? It is especially to be expected that in the redemption of man, which is the most important, the most sublime of the divine operations, there will be particular transactions utterly above our conceptions. If man was to be restored, he must be restored in a manner worthy of God; in a manner which would reflect glory on all his perfections, and shew to every spectator, whether visible or invisible, the purity of his law, and the righteousness of his government. It is even presumption in mortals to expect comprehending fully a scheme so immense and elevated, which is designed to appear the chief of the ways of God, and beyond all his other works to dis

play the exceeding riches of his wisdom, and sovereignty, and love. There are therefore various doctrines which the holy men who uttered them have represented as unsearchable by us: The Trinity of Persons in the Divine Essence, the manifestation of the Son in the likeness of man, the union of two natures infinitely different into one individual Person, faith that living principle by which the sinner is joined to the Saviour, and the resurection of the body at last are all, in their turn, pronounced A MYSTERY.— Such is the acknowledgement of prophets and apostles; and therefore if every part of divine revelation appeared perfectly plain, obvious to the understanding at first view, the bible would be inconsistent with itself; it could no longer be considered a faithful saying; it might with propriety be rejected as not coming from him whose ways are higher than our ways, and his thoughts than our thoughts.

2. It may be inferred that these doctrines, however mysterious, should be taught without reserve by the spiritual steward.We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery.— It is readily acknowledged that there are particular truths which ought to be discussed with much prudence and caution, lest they be abused by the wanton, or prove stumbling to the weak. The Eternal generation of the Son by the Father; the procession of the Spirit from the Father and

the Son should ever be mentioned with the profoundest reverence as a mystery utterly incomprehensible; otherwise an impure imagination may be led to conceive of God after the manner of men, or consider the SON and SPIRIT as inferior to the Father. The absolute, eternal election of a certain number to future glory is also a doctrine in the illustration of which much wisdom is requisite, lest enquiring souls be discouraged and the ungodly hardened in sin. While it is taught as the truth of God that some were ordained to eternal life, it should also be taught that this decree is among those secret things which belong to the Lord into which we ought not boldly to enquire; that, in the everlasting gospel, salvation is tendered freely to every hearer; that no man knows but he is elected, and that he is really invited and commanded by embracing the offered Saviour to make his calling and election sure. Again, the sovereign agency of the spirit in the sanctification of believers, and their certain perseverance in holiness, are parts of our message to be discussed with extreme caution, lest the presumptuous be tempted to sin because grace abounds, or to neglect the means of salvation, merely be-. cause they cannot give efficacy to these means. In order to prevent these dangerous consequences, it may be proper to teach that, although the Holy Ghost works, yet he usually works by the ordinances of his own

appointment; that although faith is peculiarly his gift, yet this faith cometh by hearing the word of God; that the dead in sin are raised to spiritual life, and those who are already alive to God grow up to perfect men, by means of meditation and prayer, by the instrumentality of the word read & preached, as really as the natural babe is supported and nourished by the natural milk. But although caution is requisite in handling the word of life, yet no part of the mystery of God ought to be neglected; to conceal any truth from an apprehension that the cause might be injured by declaring it, betrays a shameful disbelief both of the power and promise of God: to shun proclaiming any doctrine in its proper season and connection, lest our characters might be exposed to reproach, betrays an inexcusable pride. Suppose that an ambassador was sent to a foreign court, for the porpose of negociating a treaty; and he, from motives of policy or popularity, should conceal a part of his instructions, how arrogant must his conduct appear? What a reflection upon the court which he was appointed to represent, as if they knew not what measures were most condusive to their interest and honor! If liberties of this nature would be thought daring among men, how inconceivably greater is his arrogance who trifles with the authority of the King of Kings; who ventures to conceal or amend his adorable counsels?

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