recollects himself, and adds, " I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord."]
4. Of dominion —
[This is that state of which the text particularly speaks : and doubtless it is a state to which many attain. That the war- fare will ever cease in this world, we have no reason to expect ; but that our progress will be more easy, and our victory more certain, in proportion as we become habituated to the contest, there can be no doubt. As there are babes, young men, and fathers in the family of Christ, so are there amongst his army some, who have not only gained the victory, but are dividing the spoil. The world is crucified to them; sin is mortified, and Satan bruised under their feet. They are filled with a peace that passeth all understanding, and a joy that is unspeakable and glorified. The prize is, by anticipation at least, already in their hands. They enjoy already the earnest of heaven in their souls ; and they are looking forward with delight to the happy hour, when they shall cease from their warfare altogether, and rest for ever in the bosom of their Lord.]
Though doubtless many variations will be found in the duration or degree in which the different parts of this experience exist in different persons, yet this, on the whole, is the experience of every true believer, he emerges from his natural bondage, and comes forth into the liberty of God's children. Such, I say, is the work of divine grace in the soul ; and we shall now proceed to,
IL Make some observations upon it — We remark then that this work is,
1. A stupendous work —
[None but God is equal to it. None but an Almighty Being could have created the universe out of nothing : nor can any other Being create anew the souls of men. Every good soldier of Jesus Christ must say, " He that hath wrought us to self-same thing, is God." The power exercised in this work is compared, by St. Paul, with that which was put forth in the resurrection of Christ, and his establishment on his throne, above all the principalities of heaven or hell''. Let all then who have within themselves an evidence that they are the sub- jects of it, rejoice : let them magnify their God in the energetic language of the Psalmist " : and let them " go forth, and shew what great things the Lord has done for them."]
2. An effectual work —
" Eph. i. 19—21. = Ps. XXXV. 10.