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THE EXHIBITION OF PECULIAR

HOLINESS.

CANTICLES vi. 2, 3.

We will now give our attention to the state of a believer's heart as cultivated, or replenished with the principle of holiness derived from union with Christ, and producing a region wherein both himself and the Lord find sacred delight. This is represented to us by a variety of figures borrowed from natural objects, one of which we find in the testimony which the church gives of her beloved,

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My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies: I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine; he feedeth among the lilies." Cant. vi. 2, 3. Here the state of the church, and of the members of the church, is very interestingly represented by a fruitful and fragrant garden, which, as exhibiting the care and skill of the great proprietor, preserves the idea which we stated in the last subject, namely, that the covenant design of God is to produce in his people a visible dignity, consisting of visible holiness, and corresponding with the high relation of a redeemed soul to Christ as its Lord and Husband.

In proceeding to investigate this subject, we must in the first place observe, that a distinction is ever to be kept in view as existing in the spiritual truth inculcated by this emblem: we must discriminate between the soil into which the seed is sown, and the seed itself. This is a very important distinction, which, if lost sight of, would involve some of the essential doctrines of the faith, and introduce a confusion into the nature of our experience. Therefore it will be profitable to call up our reflections on this occasion into a suitable act. The soil is the heart as renewed by divine grace, or the faculties and affections of man rescued from the tempter's power, and brought into the possession of their proper owner. Thus we have seen in the foregoing pages, that in conversion God accomplishes his own blessed will, by separating the soul from the world, taking it as it were from the wide waste and open field, and by a mighty act of power setting it apart for culture: thus it is written, "I have chosen you out of the world," John xv. 19. "Ye are a chosen generation." 1 Peter ii. 9. "The elect's sake whom he hath chosen," Mark xiii. 20. Thus separated, we have seen how the property comes under God's cultivating dispensations. The fallow ground is broken up by conviction and experience, and the chosen spot is hedged round and prepared for future produce:-figures assumed with this design in Jer. iv. 3, 4. Isa. v. 2. It is thus that

the soul is made what Jesus describes it,-honest or good, Luke viii. 15, and prepared for the reception of the seed. The seed that is sown, may be considered either as the word of God, or the Spirit of God, for in both instances the scriptures give this appellation. Thus, in Luke viii. 11. it is written," The seed is the word of God." And in 1 Peter i. 23," Being born again, not of corruptible, but of incorruptible seed by the word of God. In either case it is descriptive of a new existence wrought by the Holy Ghost, and imparting to the soil an imperishable possession. Of the seed we must conclude it is perfect. If it be the written word, it is faultless, pure, able to make us wise to salvation, sufficient to furnish the man of God with direction for every good word and work, and justifying the testimony, "Thy word is perfect:"-" Thy word is pureeven as silver seven times tried in the fire." If it be of the Divine Spirit that the scripture thus speaks, it follows of course that this seed is perfect, and that whatever is to be considered his work in the soul, must correspond with his own excellence, for "His work is perfect." Deut. xxxi. 4. These observations are intended to shew that impediments, or hindrances, to the true developement of the plant or flower do not arise from any evil in the quality of the seed. Were this to develope itself according to its own excellency, we should behold the gradual opening forth of a perfect production, and every lovely

flower and fruit in the spiritual garden would answer to the goodness of the seed sown. Hindrances are therefore to be attributed to the soil, or to something remaining in our faculties and affections unfriendly or prejudicial to the growth of heavenly plants, and this we readily understand, when we credit the revelation which shews that "the flesh lusteth against the Spirit," or feel that "there is a law in our members warring against the law in our minds," and that "the spirit that is in us lusteth to envy." It is in consequence of these evils that sometimes lamentable imperfection is discoverable in the Christian productions; so that even of these it may be said, thorns and briars growing up they bring no fruit properly to perfection; and are chargeable with a state which the Lord severely rebukes, saying, "I have not found thy works perfect," Rev. iii. 2. Hence we perceive the necessity of having a spirit of watchfulness, and a right understanding of the privilege of which we are now to speak, looking to the true result of divine culture, and for the proper productions of a heaven-born plant.

We will now examine some of those productions in which the Lord delights, and from which the believer has conscious joy.

We may select some of the principal fruits which grow in the regenerate soul, and entering into this garden of the Lord examine the singular beauties. Amongst these we behold standing in conspicuous beauty, the precious grace of faith.

Of this production we are to form the highest estimate, not that we would give more prominent excellence to one holy plant than to another, as they are the fruits of the Spirit, but that in the order of this spiritual existence, faith is considered as a kind of parent plant, since it is hereby that we instrumentally apprehend the object revealed in the scriptures, and derive to the vital principles new vigour and sustaining supplies. It is introduced into the soul for the purpose of securing all the privileges of a chosen and consecrated state, and is consequently highly commended in the word. It is the faith of God's elect. Titus i. 1. It is the faith of which Jesus is the author and finisher. Heb. xii. 2. It is the faith which gives evidence of things not seen, and substance to things hoped for. Heb. xi. 1. It is the faith which being mixed with the word, gives invigorating energy to what we hear and receive. Heb. iv. 2. And in short, it is the faith which, as so constituted by the gracious Giver, imparts a power of universal evangelical obedience, as it is written, "this is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." John vi. 29.

Advancing further into the sacred spot we contemplate the wide-spreading tree which we may distinguish to be holy fear. It is designed to be a plant of health to the garden, and to extend its overshadowing boughs throughout. It is an absolute requisite to the preservation and

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