and delight, that ought to be the brightest in my imaginations, and nearest to my heart. How little do any other speculations or reasonings conduce to this faith, and how insignificant are they, if they do not conduce to it. I know and actually make the reflection upon myself, that whatever I read, or write, or speak, upon any other subject but this, I am a miserable trifler. Perhaps then I do very ill to trifle with you. It may be you have felt the great work of faith, cleansing you from all sin in the blood of Christ; that being righteous before God, you may have peace thereupon, which passes all understanding; that all things are become new with you; and you have a new judgment and taste, as well as new satisfactions and employments, suggested to you by the Spirit of wisdom and consolation.

You seem to hint, in the beginning of your letter, that either you are in this state, or the desire of your heart is towards it. For you say, you now acquiesce in that which, by the description I could make of it, is the righteousness of faith. If so, then you have cause to rejoice; and your joy no man taketh from you. J. G.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO W. F. ESQ.

DEAR SIR,

1754.

I PERCEIVE in you a general condescension, which is also sincere. I mean the transition into such a new taste and way of thinking, as

will do you no credit in the eye of human wisdom, and where you certainly have not conferred with flesh and blood. I cannot but wish you success in this track; for I know it admits of what is justly called success, and so glorious a one, as will sufficiently confute the imputation of foolishness, the beginnings laboured under in this world.

There is a mighty dispute now between us and the world about us; which shall pass for the wisest, possessed of the best sense and judgment, &c. I really believe, according to their standard, they will always be superior to us: Our advantage lies only in this, which every one besides is welcome to share with us as soon as he pleases, that we know that foundation, more durable than the pillars of the earth, the propitiation and death of Jesus, and its both comforting and sanctifying power. We have no other system or scheme, but to be honest to this principle, honest to possess it, and honest to live accordingly, and reduce it to practice. May we but prove steadfast and faithful to this, and we will not capitulate what weather we shall pass through: cloudy skies are to be expected, and are but right in the course of the husbandman's year, and even the dying of the grain in the earth, covered and forgotten, is no prejudice to its yielding a crop in due time. All we have to mind in one generation, is to do as the Psalmist says, carry precious seed, that will be found such, when every coat is stripped off, and the inmost contents displayed. J. G.

EXTRACTS OF LETTERS.

THE blessed Redeemer is really nigh those hearts who pant after him, who have no refuge nor life but in his merits and atoning blood, and will surely comfort and substantially feed them from degree to degree, after they have once begun to relish the doctrine of his dying love: this kindles a fire in the heart that will no more go out, but will burn up and wither whatever is contrary to it: and, in a manner, melt us into happy creatures; who living always in his peace, are endued also with his mind and likeness. However, I can say nothing equal to what a heart feels in the enjoyment of his redeeming grace and dying love as the Bridegroom of the soul; and this being our portion through his free mercy, what can we do but be glad at our happy lot, ruminate over it in secret, and be very tender-hearted and everlastingly attached to him who purchased it at so dear

a rate.

THE doctrine of faith is not an abject doctrine, but one that gives room for all the greatness of the human soul. It does indeed remove from religion all the little prospects and complacencies of ascetic pride; but it does not therefore let the soul sink for want of principle. That taste, those sentiments of holiness, and that vigorous pursuit of it, which

He

before was inspired by glittering ideas and a desire of excelling, is still kept up by a reflection, that may seem to those that have not tried it, little connected with magnanimity or diligence, Consciousness of mercy received. God has some deep and mighty spring of our nature to move by those means. awakens some affection within us, that never had sufficient occasion to exert itself before; but when it does exert itself, is fit to correspond to the author of our being, by having all moral dignity, and all the beauty of sentiment and actions attending it. This affection is GRATITUDE, so lovely where it is seen in human affairs, that it meets with general commendations.

THEY, in whom there is the most unfeigned, affectionate, and entire cleaving of the heart to the person of our dear Saviour, in consequence of his having forgiven every one of them his own sins, know and acknowledge, that they are sinful men, who have been saved by pure mercy, and still daily stand in need of it, that they are appointed servants to every human soul for their promotion to all grace and glory; and, that, therefore, the old Jewish haughtiness towards all out of their circle is necessarily exceeding far from being the principle of these disciples of Christ. They have one great, plain, and unalterable rule of faith and practice, which is, to take the Lord Jesus for their only righteousness and ground of salvation: to love him tenderly, and

value him above all things, who hath bought them with the price of his own blood: to draw out of his meritorious death alone, all the strength and succour they can need for all parts of their Christian race: to be dead to this present world, and renounce all its various sins and corruptions: to continue always meek and lowly in heart: and to be just, compassionate, and charitable towards all mankind, and useful in their generation, in that particular station of life, wherein Providence may have wisely placed them.

By way of superstructure upon these fundamentals, he adds, with respect to well-disposed persons in general: the best advice I can give you consists in the following points:

1. Daily meditate upon, put your whole trust in, and direct your sighs to your once wounded and bleeding Saviour, the general and faithful High Priest, Advocate, and Second Adam: who, even after his resurrection, showed his scars as the righteous warrior, and whose merits are gloriously powerful in behalf of poor sinful men.

2. Keep an open ear to his blessed teachings in your heart, and never at any time, by any indifference, double-mindedness, checking of convictions, &c. hinder him from forming you anew in your inner man, and leading you continually forward into the whole and utmost happiness that can possibly be designed for you. Surely you neither can nor ought wilfully to set up your rest, short of enjoying, according to your circumstances, every personal grace, or part of spiritual health, which you hear spoken of.