Constant watchfulness, and a perpetual effort against sin, must be kept up. The world is around us and within us, and, to resist it, requires an incessant conflict; for the suspension of the struggle, even one day, will add vigour to our enemy, and weaken our strength. The recollection of our sinfulness, and liability to be influenced by objects of sense, together with our feeble principles of resistance, ought to convince us that we have no safety but in wakeful vigilence and constant exertion. Hence, we ought to confide in God, who alone is able to preserve us in all dangers. Confidence in him ought ever to be united with the utmost diligence in the use of the means of sanctification, and with the consideration of every motive that can influence the heart. The Saviour tells us to be of good cheer, for he hath overcome the world. He is our shepherd, and never shall we want. He never slumbers nor sleeps. Like the shepherds of Judea, he exercises a nightly, as well as a daily, vigilance over his flock. In him, then, let us put our trust, and never let self-confidence for one moment prevail. Thus did David sing of his love and of his care; when blending, with pious feelings of gratitude to the Redeemer, the fond recollections of his youth, he gave vent, in the 23d Psalm, to the delightful emotions of his heart.

Forget not that the Spirit of God is promised to all who ask him, and that, through him, the Saviour strengthens us for all things. In the day of trial and of conflict, when you feel your afflictions and evils, recollect that you have a high priest, of the most kind

and compassionate character. You are not left alone, so that a sense of weakness need not discourage you. He who hath called his people by his grace will bear with them, meekly and patiently, all the way. Even Moses failed in this; but our high priest and leader will no more cast us off than " a nursing father” would cast away a child for its crying or frowardness. To raise still higher our views of his fond affection, it is compared to the warmest attachment " of a mother." He was himself tried, and knows, from experience, what aid and care we need. Much, indeed, there is in us that is fitted to provoke him to cast us off. Our frequent transgressions-the coldness and instability of our hearts-the heavy aggravations of our sins--all tend to illustrate that long suffering which bears with us notwithstanding. There is not a day but we sin against him; yet he freely forgives, and richly blesses us. What a mercy to have such an advocate with the Father! In looking afresh to his propitiatory blood, that same mercy, which at first relieved us, again flows to us; and, in going to the throne of grace for all blessings, as the reward of his work, and the fruit of his intercession, we obtain the desire of our hearts.

I conclude with reminding you, that one great encouragement in the Christian course is the prospect of sharing in the bliss and the glory of the Saviour, Was his spirit cheered amidst all his distress by the bright prospect before him, and shall not the prize set before us animate our hearts? A hope so exalted should induce us to yield ourselves entirely to him,

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and to purify ourselves because he is pure. Have we already the earnest of this blessedness; and shall we grieve the Holy Spirit by indulging in sin, and thus deprive ourselves of all true enjoyment? Living in the daily and devout contemplation of the things of God, we shall enjoy a happiness which will cure us of attachment to the momentary and delusive pleasures of time, and increase our desire for the pure and the unchanging joys of the world of light. Let that love, and holiness, and peace be sought which satisfy the redeemed above; and even now we shall progressively increase in that bliss which shall be enjoyed in perfection in the temple of God.

I am, &c.

LETTER VIII.

HINTS ON THE MEANS AND HAPPY EFFECTS OF SANCTIFICATION.

'The Gospel addresses men as sinners as well as sufferers-Its great object is to save from sin-Is not an exhibition of benevolence only, but of the whole character of God-This essential to the happiness of man-Holiness and happiness inseparably connected-The importance of the example of believers-The influence of the example of Christ-Christian joy connected with repentance-Conclusion.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

In my last letter I called your attention to a general view of the practical influence of the truth, and in this I shall suggest to you some additional hints on

the means and happy effects of sanctification. We ought never to forget that we are, not only sufferers, but also criminals. We need not merely consolation, but deliverance from the power of sin. This should be seriously pondered. There is a way of speaking and acting in relation to the Gospel, which converts it into little more than a proclamation of forgiveness, and throws into the shade its principal glory. It is, indeed, a glorious provision for the happiness of man; but this object it effects by delivering us not merely from the curse of the law, but from our spiritual maladies, and conforming us, in principle and deportment, to the pure and holy character of God. Christian comfort is frequently represented as if it consisted wholly in the peace and the enjoyment which flow from the hope of escaping hell, and obtaining heaven. Such comfort arises merely from the natural satisfaction which must be felt in deliverance from pain, as such, and the hope of some kind of enjoyment when obliged to quit this world. But the fact is, true religion is happiness in God.-Holiness is itself happiness, and not merely an accompaniment of it. It is as absurd to say, that we can be truly happy without it, as to say, we can be well without health, or, that we can be saved without salvation. Christian sanctity, in spirit and in manners, is not merely an evidence of salvation; it is the very blessing itself.

We ought to remember, that the same thing which exhibits the pardoning mercy of God, and delivers from the fear of woe, is that which purifies the heart. Precious is the recollection, that the cross, which is

the foundation of our hope, is the means of humbling us; and, that the same truth which imparts to us the joy of deliverance, fills with that genuine sorrow and heartfelt contrition which lie at the root of all true piety. Faith in the Gospel, and holiness of character, are not merely two things tied together, so to say; for the latter emanates from the former. The seed in the ground and the plant above it are not united by a mere external bond, but are connected by nature; and so it is with the seed of Divine truth and Christian excellence.

What is our passage through this life, but a state of moral and spiritual discipline, by which the God of all grace is training us up for the blessedness of heaven, by the gradual acquisition of that holiness of character which is essential to our happiness there? The heavenly temple is the seat of perfect bliss; because there the principles, the tastes, and the pursuits of the heart are all pure and spiritual. There the whole of the society are one in judgment, affection, and pursuit with their God and Father, and with their elder brother. In their social intercourse, there is, in consequence, the utmost harmony, and the purest affection. There the genius of the Gospel is clearly seen -its spirit is felt; and the most sacred and endearing union with God, and with one another, is experienced to be its natural result, in all in whom it dwells. Happiness is found to be proportioned to the degree in which the mind is positively conformed to Jehovah, who is seen to be the perfection of beauty, the source and the centre of all excellence and blessedness.