yielded to merit eternal life, but to express the gratitude of the heart to him who hath given it to us of pure favour through the atonement of his Son. It is an expression of delight in the character of him who justifieth the ungodly for the sake of the Redeemer-it is the fruit of conformity to God-it is, in short, happiness in God and in spiritual things, and it makes meet for the full enjoyment of him in the world of purity, holiness, and love. This spirit is promoted by glorying exclusively in the cross of Christ, and living by faith in him. In his cross we see mercy and truth, righteousness and peace, all united. Here sin is seen to be in itself most hateful, and revolting to every proper feeling. It is by this that the heart is broken and made contrite-that the transgressor sees at once his disease and the remedy-his danger and the way of escape-and is taught to put up from the heart the important petition, "God be merciful to me a sinner." It is here that the heart receives the impression of the character of Christ, and becomes assimilated to the spirit of the heavenly world.

That the Lord may keep you and guide you into all truth, is the prayer of,

My dear friend,

Yours, &c.

1 3

LETTER VI.

ON CHRISTIAN COMFORT.

The most eminent Christians feel imperfections-An error as to comfort and obedience noticed-The proper source of Christian holiness and joy-The evil of mistakes as to this-Two kinds of distress described-The Scriptural mode of comforting the dejected-The use of self-examination-Holiness connected with Christian consolation —Their reciprocal influence-The use of past enjoyments-Conclusion.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

I PROPOSE, in this letter, to advert to what you wrote me respecting that lively feeling of the power of our Lord's character, and that comfort in the truth, the want of which is lamented by many. I begin with reminding you, that the very highest Christians are deeply sensible that they are not influenced by the Gospel as they ought to be; and this causes to them much pain and self-reproach. Nothing, however, can remedy this but a devout reliance on the work of the Redeemer, and the steady contemplation of his gracious character, accompanied with humble and fervent prayer to him who teaches, sanctifies, and animates the heart. In all cases the Saviour is the source of peace and consolation to his people. He communicates these blessings by enlightening their minds in the knowledge of the great truths of his word, and particularly those that respect his sacrifice and official administration. It is, then, by keeping the Gospel con

stantly in view that the heart comes under its transforming energy.

There is an error often committed here on which I shall say a few words. I refer particularly to it, because the principle it includes has not seldom been at the botten of unscriptural views of the nature and spring of Christian comfort and obedience. It is this: Many come to the Scriptures with the same views as those which actuated the young man who came to our Lord with the question, "What good thing shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" Now, the Bible was never intended to answer this question. It is, indeed, answered in Scripture; but for the purpose of showing, that, in order to be justified by law, a man must, throughout his life, have been perfectly conformed in principle, thought, word, and deed, to the whole of its demands; and that, whosoever has broken it but in one instance, is guilty of all. Of course, the answer to it is designed to "shut us up" to the plan of salvation revealed in the Gospel, and not by any means to inspire us with

It tells us how

the hope of being justified by law. man would have been justified had he continued obedient; but not how a sinner can be accepted. The great question which the Scripture was meant to answer is, "How can God justify a sinner in consistency with his holy character, the righteous claims of his law, and the general good?"

It is evident, that, when a person's great object is to have the first of these questions answered, his comfort and peace must be very unsteady,-When he puts

the question, "Am I a child of God?" his meaning is not, "have I believed the gospel of Christ;" or, in other words, is it indeed the truth; but "have I done enough to procure for me eternal life?" and, according to the view he takes of his attainments, must be his peace or his disquietude. In all his devotional services, and in all his obedience, his great concern is to establish his claim to the favour of God and to the happiness of heaven; and, in his exertions, he may be very earnest, while he has utterly mistaken the design of that book which he considers to be a revelation from God. Such a character cannot understand how a perishing prodigal can obtain forgiveness and be filled with peace, on his yielding to the call," Repent and believe the Gospel." He treats the enjoyments of such converts as the fruit of error and enthusiasm. Conscious that he has himself no real happiness, he manifests the spirit, and virtually adopts the language of the elder brother in the parable, "Thou never gavest me a kid that I might make merry with my friends." He turns from the friend of sinners-refuses life from him as a matter of favour-and clings to his own self-righteous schemes. In some instances, impressed by what they hear of the happiness of others, and despairing of attaining the like, such characters sink into despondency.

In opposition to these most erroneous and destructive sentiments, the Scriptures address all as condemned in the sight of God; they bear witness to the dignity of the Redeemer's nature and the perfection of his atonement; and declare, that every one who

receives their testimony shall be saved. The faith of this is the root of all real liveliness in religion and of all genuine enjoyment. The sinner is thus freed from the distressing agitation caused by his fruitless efforts to make his peace with God; and, finding rest in the work of the Saviour, he engages with life and animation in the course of obedience.

The Spirit bears witness in the Scriptures to the important truth, that every child of God becomes such by faith in Christ Jesus," and not by works of law. Now when, with a true heart, we can say that the Divine declaration concerning Christ and his work is really believed by us; and that his atonement is indeed that on which we rest, as the sole foundation of our confidence before God; we may take comfort from the promise of forgiveness and eternal life to all who believe. Then, do we enjoy the consolation of the Spirit's testimony in the Scriptures, that, to as many as believe in him, Jesus gives "the privilege of becoming the sons of God;" and so can rejoice, that, "as children, we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.” We must first of all derive our confidence from the general declarations of the Gospel, before any other part of Scripture can afford us relief. This enjoyment is always proportioned to our conviction of our need of mercy, and the degrée of steadiness with which we cling to the cross of Christ. Every Christian finds that, in all circumstances of distress, and in all his difficulties, however

John i. 12. Gal. iii, 7—26.