The only just reply to this question will be found in considering the separation from the world, of those who are made the living among the dead. And having seen that the dead are all mankind in their nature state, or, "the whole world," which, as the ApostleJohn declares, "lieth in the Wicked-one," we must proceed to enquire who, and what, they are, who are described as "those that live:" and, having already seen the amazing love of God in giving Christ to die for that world which "receiveth Him not,"-look still further into a "love which passeth knowledge," and see Him giving Himself again, in the person of HIS SPIRIT, to a people "which He had afore prepared unto glory."

And who are these?-There is but one simple answer to this question, in the word of truth ;-They are THOSE WHO BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST; a belief contrary to nature; and the consequence of the restoration (by sovereign grace) of that "Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus "-which sets them free from the dominion of sin and death.

This is that limited work of Christ, which is salvation; while, by the obstinate sin of the world, His universal work is but made its "condemnation." Christ died for the world and for a chosen people in the world; and, thus, bought all out of the Adam sentence: "for as by man came death, by man came also the resurrection from the dead." But He not only died, but rose again, for those whom the Father had given Him, to receive the gift of Life" from His gracious hand: "for, to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living.' Lord of all, then, by purchase from the grave, He dispenses His gifts "according to the good pleasure of His will" who sent Him to bring mankind up from

the dust; and whose will is, that "of all whom He has given to Christ-He should lose none," but should "raise them up (as well as call them forth from the grave,) at the last day." But for this purpose they must first be "prepared." They must be living souls who are raised up to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, in His presence who "is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity:" living, with the life and righteousness of God. And such are Believers in Jesus Christ : believers of the great truth that Jesus of Nazareth is the Anointed-one of God, to be the propitiation for the sin of the whole world. Thus runs the two-fold solemn asseveration of the holy Lamb of God-"Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth in me, hath everlasting life;" "is passed from death unto life, and shall not come into condemnation." Believers, with that faith which "worketh by love," are "quickened" from the dead. "God who is rich in mercy," saith the Apostle Paul to the believers in Ephesus, "for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened together with Christ." Christ, is therefore, to His chosen people, not only the "Way" through which they "might be saved," but, their actual Saviour also. "He shall be called Jesus because He shall save His people from their sins." Christ not only died, but rose again, and "ascended on high, leading captivity captive and gave gifts to men:" these "gifts" being the gifts and graces of His life-giving Spirit, which He imparts according to His sovereign will and pleasure, to those among the "dead in trespasses and sins" whom the Father has "appointed to receive salvation through Him." As it is written, "Thou hast received gifts in the man; (or, in the human nature;) yea, for the rebellious also; that the Lord

God might dwell among them." The death of Christ, as man, was for the world:-His resurrection, as man, for His people, or, to receive the Spirit for those whom the Father had given Him. Christ, as "the second Adam," is "the Lord from heaven," the great Reverser of the sentence passed upon man in "the first Adam." But He was also made "a quickening Spirit:" "for as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself." He died for all; but it is not written that He rose for all. He made an atonement for the world, so that all might turn from their wickedness and live: but He did not receive the Spirit for the world, that it should thereby be made to repent and be saved. Christ was not only the sacrifice for sin, by means of which the repentant sinner might be justified and accepted, but He was also "exalted a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance unto Israel," even "the Israel of God." He bowed His head upon the cross and declared concerning the sacrifice which He then made of Himself for the sin of the world," It is finished:" as He elsewhere also says, "I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do." But when the sacrifice was made, He offered it up, also; and received the reward of an accepted offering. The "Lamb as it had been slain," is represented in the heavens as "having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth," or THE SPIRIT OF GOD, called seven (as I have shewn in 'Essays on Prophecy,') with reference to seven parts of one body which is His church or called out people from the world.

I consider this distinction in the work of Christ to be of the highest possible importance. There are thousands who believe a report concerning the gift

of a Saviour, while yet "the Arm of the Lord" is not revealed to them. There are thousands who believe that a Christ has done something for the world by which they will be benefited, who yet know not the Christ of God: for "to know Him is eternal life;" and that they have not eternal life, is evident, both to their own consciences and to the observation of all who know that they which live-live, "not unto themselves, but unto Him who died for them." The death of Christ was not the offering of Christ. In the typical sacrifices the victim was first slain, then offered up by fire: so when Christ had "slain the enmity in His body," He "through the eternal Spirit, offered up Himself without spot to God," and "by one offering perfected for ever them that are sanctified." And, again, Who are the sanctified? Clearly they for whom Christ prayed, saying, "Sanctify them by Thy Truth; Thy Word is Truth:" (not, the world; for in that very prayer the Lord says, "I pray not for the world, but for them which Thou hast given me:") and they are thus described, "They have received Thy words, and have known surely that I came out from Thee, and they have believed that Thou didst send me; I pray for them," and "for them, also, which shall believe on me through their word:" for, thus saith the Lord, “The words which I speak unto you they are Spirit and they are life."

Yes; the Spirit must be given, as well as the flesh of the Saviour, before any can be saved. But Believers of the words of Christ, have the Spirit; otherwise they would not believe. "No man can say (believing) that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost:" but equally is it contained in Scripture that "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God:" "and," it is said,

"if children, then heirs: heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ."

The great question concerning our individual salvation is not, therefore, Did Christ die for me? but, Did Christ, who died for the World, receive the Spirit for me and the reply to this all important enquiry, is "If thou believest," HE DID. If thou believest, thou mayst be shewn in a simple and blessed ordinance of a Čovenant God, that you are not only "buried with Him," but "risen with Him," also: and, like the Ethiopian eunuch, mayst go on thy way rejoicing: for "By grace ye are saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD." Faith is the evidence of the Spirit's indwelling: "Hereby we know that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit: and we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world." Faith is the evidence that Christ received the

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Spirit for us. But it is not a "dead" faith which proves this, it must be that faith which "worketh by love." "This is His commandment: That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love oneanother, as He gave commandment, and he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us." "And I brethren, saith the Apostle Paul, "when I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love to all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you." Then, and then only, shall we be in the blessed state of thankfulness which becomes redeemed creatures, when we know by faith, that "the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world," and by love that "He hath given us of His Spirit." Verily verily I say unto you, he that believeth in me,

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