Him, which is the head of all principality and power."-Coloss. ii. 6-10.

GOD is pleased to make the eternal condition of our souls to turn upon one point alone; that is, whether Christ is received into our hearts by faith, or whether He is not,-"He that believeth not shall be damned."

The persons addressed in this Epistle were believers in Jesus; they had heard the gospel, and "received" Christ, the only begotten Son of God. Their faith was proved by their love to all saints. Prior to this, they were foolish, sinful, lost,-" by nature the children of wrath even as others;" but now, having received the slain and risen Saviour, He is made of God unto them "wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." 1 Cor. i. 30. They were "born again," for the Scripture says, that "as many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." John i. 12. Full of evil, and utterly ruined in themselves, they joyfully received Christ, in all the fulness of His great salvation. Truly they could sing,

How fit for hell I seemed to be,

But, oh! how suited Christ to me.

This subject, dear reader, presents to you a solemn,

heart-searching test, by which you may now accurately determine your eternal prospects. Have you received into your heart by faith Him, who came into the world to save sinners? Mark! the blessing is not to them who may have heard of Christ, or talked about Christ, or who may know much concerning His work, but to as many as RECEIVED HIM!! Surely the thought at once commends God to us as the giver, and the sinner as the receiver. The gift of God is eternal life." Let there be no mistake, I beseech you, on this most momentous point. Be assured that the Scriptures hold out no hope of salvation, but to as many as receive Christ. To such, His work of eternal redemption is their alone ground of justification before God. Blessed are they who are "accepted in the Beloved!"

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For Christ is their heav'n and their peace,
Their Redeemer, their glory and king,
Their righteousness, wisdom and bliss,

And His praises for ever they 'll sing!

But the Scripture before us not only refers to receiving Christ, but also includes an exhortation to corresponding conduct," SO WALK ye in Him:" that is, as you set out, so you should continue, with a selfrenouncing heart, to appropriate Christ all the way to heaven, as your wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, for "no flesh should glory in His presence," but "according as it is written, he that glorieth

let him glory in the Lord." 1 Cor. i. 29, 31. In other words, "Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof." Rom. xiii. 14. If the regenerate entertain any thoughts of creature purity and righteousness, so far will the infinitely efficacious and finished work of Christ be undervalued and lost sight of; and either a self-righteous or a desponding experience will result. "Their righteousness is of ME, saith the Lord," Isaiah liv. 17, “even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ UNTO all and UPON all them that believe. "Rom. iii. 22. It is walking in Him, and not for Him that is here brought before us; and surely the former includes the latter, but the reverse does not hold good. With young believers, walking for Christ is generally the predomi nant thought and effort of the mind, and consequently there is often much zeal manifested, but it is frequently accompanied with a restless or fretful condition of spirit, arising from mingled feelings of bondage and displeasure, both at the quantity and quality of the service. Walking IN Him implies abiding IN Him, and acting as being accepted IN Him, and complete IN Him, which is the head of all principality and power; and thus by the constraining operation of His love, following His steps. "IN the Lord have I righteousness and strength," is their watchword. Such are "strong IN the Lord, and in the power of His might." They are strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim. ii. I. They

walk not as "far off," but as "made nigh by the blood of Christ." They breathe not the "spirit of bondage," but the "Spirit of adoption," whereby they cry Abba, Father. Rom. viii. 15. They "enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus ;" and as seated "together in heavenly places IN CHRIST," they worship and serve with reverence and godly fear, with holy dignity and filial awe; with humility, because they glory only in the Lord, and with heavenly calmness, because of the perpetual efficacy of His blood and righteousness.

When walking IN HIM, every act is worship, and we shall not be considering whether this or that step is a right or a wrong one merely, but conscious of our heavenly calling, we shall refer to a more exalted and becoming standard, and enquire rather, whether the proposed step will please God-glorify Christ,-and if it be suitable for one who is complete IN Him, and seated In a risen and glorified Lord. Ephes. ii. 6. Beloved brethren in Christ, let us not forget the depth of redeeming love, quickening us when dead in sins; nor lose sight of its glorious height, as raising us up together, and making us sit together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus. Neither let us be unmindful, that thoughts of walking only for Christ, tend to a spirit of bondage and consequent feelings of distance from God; while walking in Him is the legitimate province of faith, and will be accompanied with holy, humble, happy and acceptable service. "He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the

same bringeth forth MUCH FRUIT: for without Me ye can do nothing." John xv. 5.

The next verse shows us, that the chief business and fervent aim of the believer should be, to be more and more established IN Christ-" rooted and built up in Him." Carnal energy makes outward service its paramount object of pursuit, but the soul that is truly wise. in Christ, has experimentally learned, that communion with God within the veil, is the only sure way of being blest or made a blessing; therefore, above every thing, he seeks increasingly to be established in the faith, to dive still more deeply into the love of God which passeth knowledge, to grasp more firmly the unsearchable riches of Christ, and he aims to grow up into increased conformity to the Son of God. Secret prayer, habitual self-judgment, and a believing meditation on the written word of God, are instrumental by the Spirit's power, in strengthening and establishing the believer IN Christ and thus he becomes filled with praise and thanksgiving, as well as fitted for conflict and service. His increased acquaintance with the indwelling corruptions and vile abominations of his fleshly nature, makes him sick of self, and drives him repeatedly to God in Christ, (the spring of all his joys,) for renewal of strength and consolation. He is filled with praise, as faith enables him to apprehend that he is chosen IN Christ, given To Christ, redeemed BY Christ, accepted IN Christ, and seated in heavenly