172 LETTERS TO REV. DR. RYLAND. [No. X. many of them, that the event will be in many a total dereliction of evangelical and even of orthodox principles: but in a variety of ways and forms of heresy. I should think the book you mention is a mere refinement of Arianism if not somewhat nearer the frigid zone.' But, alas! if one could smile, instead of weeping, one might smile at recollecting the words of the wicked author of Hudibras, : "As if religion were intended For nothing else but to be mended.' "I never miss a day praying for your missionary society, as well as others; and very often with an especially. .......I hope that God has graciously removed the sickness of your family: but it is a sick, and suffering, and dying world. May the Lord give us faith and patience and hope, that we may be ready when the summons comes, and in the mean time may do what we can, that others may have what we have learned and taught, worthy remembering, in remembrance after our decease !” .............“ I SHOULD be glad to make my letter worth postage by inserting in it any observations that were made on the way of dividing and spending time: but I fear I cannot ex promptu do much justice to the subject. It was generally agreed that no man can lay down rules which suit another; so much depends on health, circumstances, disposition, and engagements :-that a man should not so lay down rules for himself as to bind himself to them at all events; otherwise he may decline services to which he is called, because contrary to his rule; set up his own will as to the disposal of time in opposition to that of God; lose his temper when broken in upon; and be tempted to harshness and unkindness to the distressed, whose case will not admit of delays. Our Lord suffered even his retired hours to be intruded on, and did not bid the people come at a more seasonable hour.-In order to divide time aright it must be redeemed: we must know its worth and importance; and determine not to part with it but for a valuable consideration. A man should have his plan, though he should not either attempt to impose it on others, or bind himself too stiffly to it. Many arrangements in the family, and in : every branch of it, are necessary to procure the largest quantum of time to be divided; and a man must know how to rule his own household, as well as to curb his own affections, who would not let time run to waste. Such visits as are not likely to produce benefit to ourselves or to others, or at least to obviate prejudice and prevent harm, should be shunned and yet it is sometimes well to lose a little time, as he would a little money, rather than give offence, and preclude ourselves from usefulness. The best hours of the day, and those least liable to interruption, should be chosen for devotion, meditation, and closer studies. One part of our duty should be made a recreation from the weariness of another: especially conversation and social intercourse, or such books as require comparatively little attention. Gather up the fragments, that nothing be lost. Have some book at hand, or some employment ready, for the odds and ends, the parentheses of time, which are generally wasted. As little time allotted to sleep and animal recreation, as serves to keep the body in health, is of great use: but, where a man carries this further than his constitution will admit, because others have found that they could do what he attempts, he will in the event find it unfavorable to his grand object. In all cases the care of health and spirits, by air and exercise, &c. in moderation, is a valuable use of time, and should be considered in the division of it.-Upon the whole, some men ought to spend much time in their study; others will do more good in going among the poor, or in visiting such as are willing to welcome instructions. Some ministers should allot much time to the study of their sermons; others will speak most intelligibly when less elaborate, and may redeem their time for other purposes: but all ought to have stated times for searching the scriptures and prayer; and to seize occasional opportunities for ejaculatory worship in addition; but not to depend on this latter practice, or be satisfied with it.-The man who loves money finds out how to get and spare it; and he who wants to make it go far finds out how to divide it. We are the Lord's servants; and if we be employed as he would have us our time is rightly divided, though other rules be neglected.I have only room to add that I remain yours very affectionately, "THOS. SCOTT.” MY DEAR SIR, To the Rev. Basil Wood. "Aston Sandford, January 15, 1806. .." In respect to your first question, I find little difficulty in answering, though not with the accuracy of a definition. I see nothing in your pamphlet* which does not accord with my views; though, in speaking on repentance and faith, I seldom call them conditions or terms; because some object, and others misunderstand me, if I do; and as the words are not found in the scripture, I make a shift to convey my meaning without them. But I have no doubt of these things being in a sober sense conditions, that is sine qua nons. In like manner I do not find the terms, covenant of redemption, or covenant of grace, in Scripture; and therefore I generally express myself in other words: though I do not at all object to the use of them by others, in the very sense which you mention. Should I try to be systematical, I should perhaps call the former ⚫ the covenant of mediation ;' the conditions of which Christ fulfilled, in order that he might be the Mediator of the new covenant. This covenant (the covenant of grace, the everlasting covenant) is made with us individually, when we accede to it, and not before. (2 Sam. xxiii, 5. Isa. lv, 3.) Christ is the one Mediator between God and man; the Father hath committed all things into his hands: and when we entrust our souls to him the covenant is made with us. Whatever, in this respect, introduces election, relates to the secret purposes of God, or to the secret transactions of the Father with the constituted Mediator. No doubt living faith is the gift of God, and the effect of regeneration,and of the gracious purposes of God towards us: but the covenant is not ratified with us till we by faith actually accede to it. By writing the law in our hearts, from which true repentance, faith, &c. spring, God makes his new covenant with us, becomes our God and takes us for his people. This is my view of the question. (See Essay on the Mediation of Christ.) I should say it is absolute in the promise to Christ in behalf of the elect: for no promise is made to any as being elect, but as coming to Christ by faith." * On the Two Covenants. 66 DEAR SIR, To Thomas Cox, Esq., Derby. 1814. "I AM greatly obliged by your kind order of books; and I ought to be so for your favorable and too high opinion of me, expressed in emphatical language; but I rather fear that such effusions, from the heart, I doubt not, of you and other friends, render thorns in the flesh, and messengers of Satan to buffet me, requisite to keep me from being exalted above measure. I often think that, if my friends really knew me, and all that which passes in my experience from week to week, they would wholly change their sentiments concerning me. The longer I live the more I find that in me, that is in my flesh, or apart from special grace, dwelleth no good thing: and, were it not for a firm reliance on the mercy, the abounding mercy, of God in Christ Jesus, I could have no hope or comfort.—I trust however that I do honestly aim and desire to serve the Lord and my confidence is this, I have hoped in thy mercy, and my soul shall rejoice in thy salvation. "I do not know how deep the sense of sin, and sorrow for it, ought to be in order to acceptance with God: but I always consider it in this view: There is a provision, and a proposal made to us, or to those who feel and acknowledge their need of it, and, submitting to God's righteousness, and renouncing all self-dependence, seek the mercy and grace of the gospel as their only refuge and remedy. Some perceive their guilt and danger, before they perceive distinctly the remedy: and these pass through much distress and terror. Others are led to see the remedy as fast as they discover their need of it; and they are gradually humbled without being much distressed or terrified. (Notes and Practical Observations on Luke xix, 1-10.) In respect of the degree of humiliation, and depth of the discovery of the evil of sin, and of our own sinfulness, which would be sufficient, and adequate to the cause there is for them; I believe no man ever did yet experience them so deeply as he ought: and that, the deeper views we have of the evil of sin, and of our own sinfulness, and the more self-abasement, yea self-abhorrence, we actually feel in the sight of God; the more just our estimate is, and the more proper the state of our hearts. This |