for their profit. The fire is to discover us to ourselves, and inercy and truth is to purge us, not from the inbeing of sin, no, but from our evil and corrupt frames and affections, which have been running away from God and when we are purged and all set right, we soon get wrong again; so that we need to be continually walking in the way of the Lord's judgments.

I have wrote largely on this, in a book called "The Saints Judgments;" so that I shall finish this part with a text or two more by way of confirmation. Then observe the apostle's words, "If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged; but when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord," &c. And again; "The Lord hath filled Zion with judgments," mark that, "filled Zion with judgments and righteousness." This way, like the rest, will be opposed; for correction is grievous to him that forsaketh the way. Also, all such preachers oppose it, that heal the wound slightly, and build up Zion with blood. Now walking in this way, is in faith; for a man that does not believe he is a sinner, never can tremble at God's word; and even God's family, in an insensible frame, as David was, till Nathan comes, and God sent the word home, do not see, feel nor believe, so as to bring them into this path, or these paths of judgment. But looking to Jesus, on whom judgment was fully executed, will liberate us from all this painful work, for a time. Thus we are to walk in the paths of judgment: but it will come on again, more or less, till death, and then we shall enjoy a full deliverance for evermore.

Seventeenth, the final perseverance of the saints, is another path, and you have it in these words; "The righteous shall hold on his way," &c.: and what encouragement this is, at certain seasons, to the weak and tempted; for sometimes they feel as if they certainly shall take offence at

also

Zion, and they know that they that hate Zion shall be desolate; sometimes they feel as if they should wither quite away; sometimes as if sin would have dominion over them; sometimes as if God was their enemy, and as if the snare-traps, cares and concerns of life, would choke the word, and they become unfruitful. These things bear hard upon them, and they, at certain seasons, fully expect to make shipwreck of faith; but this never can be the case, it is only intended to try them, to wean them from this world, from self and every thing that is a rival to Christ Jesus. A man may be permitted to fall into sin, secretly and openly; he may fall from his first love, and get very cold to all that is good, which may continue for a long time; he may fall from his steadfastness, but being in union with Christ Jesus, he never shall fall quite away. Hence Solomon says, The just man falleth seven times, and riseth again." And what is the cause of his rising? I answer, being united to Christ Jesus. Hence, the same penman says, "" If two walk together, if one fall, the other shall lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, for he hath not another to lift him up." But you will say, These things are all confined to the righteous, for they only shall hold on their way; whereas, I appear in my own eyes quite opposite, for I feel myself unrighteous. Yes; but does not faith, at times, go forth and lay hold of the finished work of Christ, and then you feel that you are righteous in him? Yes, say you, But these times come so seldom. Bless God that they come at all it is in Christ that all the seed of Israel are justified, and in him they are to glory. But if you and I were self-righteous, as we wish to be, this would nurse our pride, and instead of glorying in Christ, we shall glory in ourselves. But this way meets with great opposition; for all Pharisees, Arminians and merit

mongers, deuy this way which we walk in, and tell us we may fall from grace, and perish after all: thus they give the God of truth the lie, for we are kept by his mighty power through faith unto salvation. This one way is Chist, and faith in him; for the blessed Spirit leads us on, persevering in Christ's strength; hence Paul says, "I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me." I know the self-sufficient pharisee will deny all this, but bless the Lord, he teaches us our dependence upon him; this is laying up in store a good foundation.

Eighteenth. The next way I shall mention, is strength; for that is called a way. Hence Solomon says, "The way of the Lord is strength to the upright." But two questions naturally arise here; 1st, Who are upright? 2nd, What are those evidences, whereby we may know that we are in the way of strength?

These two questions I hope briefly to answer, as the Lord shall assist

me.

1st, Then what is it to be upright in a scriptural sense? I answer, "there is none upright by nature; for though God made man upright, yet they have sought out many inventions. Thus when Adam fell, we all fell in him; and then, instead of being upright, we are said to be crooked. But God's elect were preserved in Christ Jesus; and though they fell with the rest, yet they had life in Christ before the fall took place; and thus they fell to rise again. Now it is the work of God's Spirit, to show a man that he is not upright, but opposite to all uprightness: this teaching is essential to salvation, for we must know experimentally that we are far from all righteousness and uprightness. This, in general, is a work of time, to pull the sinner down. This uprightness, then, is the internal work of God's Spirit, called the new man; and as the blessed Spirit is pleased to draw it forth into exercise,

so it is discovered to us. Now it will appear sometimes, in a holy fear of God, which will enable us to depart from sin, and shun the company, spirit and practices of this world. Hence we read, that Job was a perfect and an upright man, 86 one that feared God and eschewed evil :" and oh that this fear was more in exercise than it is; if it was, there would be more upright dealings, for it is a blessed grace. But again; sometimes it is drawn forth in love to God and his family; for Solomon says, "The upright love thee." Now by these two things, we are to know whether we are upright or not.

But to the 2nd question. How shall we know that we are in this way of strength? I answer, first, by really feeling that we have no strength of our own, for his strength is made perfect in our weakness; but young, or strong men in themselves, shall utterly fall. This is the way we are led on to know where our strength lays, even in Christ Jesus: and who will prize him as their strength, but the poor, weak, tottering soul, that expects to fall from day to day. Second, All the time we have any power of our own, we endeavour to make use of it. But though God holds up, yet we feel him not as our strength, till we leave off working; and then we learn that our strength is to sit still. And this is easy to talk about, but it is not so easy to practise. Thirdly, We learn that our strength is in Christ Jesus; for in the Lord we are to have righteousness and strength. Fourth, This strength, and our being in the way of it, is discovered by the joy that arises in our hearts, after being well pulled down, being full of sorrow and grief, as Hannah was, A woman of a sorrowful spirit ;" and yet, when she got in this way of strength, how she breaks out, My horn is exalted, because I rejoice in God's salvation." And this joy springs from Christ's visiting our soul, "I will see you

again, and your heart shall rejoice." It springs from a full persuasion, that we are pardoned: "we joy in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement," It springs from a witness felt, that we are righteous by the imputation of the righteousness of Christ, "I will greatly rejoice in in the Lord, for he hath covered me with the robe of his righteousness.' It springs from a persuasion, that we are the chosen of God," Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven."

And it springs from a hope of glory after death," we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Now strength is clearly discovered here, for 66 the joy of the Lord is our strength;" but really, all these things come to us by looking to the Lord; for by faith we receive all we get from his fulness, and therefore, we are said to" be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might;' strong in faith, giving glory to God. But an opposite way will ever oppose this, and that is, our own strength, which, if

we are for a while without furnace work, we shall feel. That is a legal spirit, for it will never finally leave us till death. Thus Christ is the one way, and faith in him, receives a continual supply of strength.

was

and a book of remembrance written before him, for them that feared the Lord, and thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels."

With this pleasing and soul, c comforting thought, I have taken up my pen, with a view of continuing my yesterday's remarks; the only apology I would make for the sameness of the exercise, is its importance and unspeakable blessedness; for where can a poor sinner go for support and deliverance, under the accumulated sorrows of the wilderness; or to what other object can he repair, but unto him who hath said, "I will make them, and the places round about my hill, a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing?"

Now let the feeble all be strong,
And make Jehovah's arm their song:
His shield is spread o'er every saint;
And, thus supported, who shall faint?

My sister, ever bear in your mind, that Jesus upon whom you have cast the weight of your soul's everlasting welfare, is God's unspeakable gift, the fruit of everlasting love, and the most glorious display of unmerited mercy. If we survey the world of nature, and mark the infinite skill and benignity of a gracious God, in the arrangements, as they appear developed. in his providence around us, we shall discover every thing to excite our admiration; and were it not but for the deep rooted depravity of our hearts, to fill our souls with praise and thanksgivings. But if we desire to see the perfections of beauty, as it shines in the great mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh," "who was seen of angels, justified in the Spirit preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory," we must turn off our attentions, even from the splendid works of creation and providence, to the cross of the expiring Redeemer.

Q Q

I freely confesss, that here is opened to my view a subject, the glory of which confounds my reason, lays the pride of my heart in the dust, and constrains me to implore," Lord increase my faith" this is a blessing we greatly need, and should never rest satisfied, only as eternal realities are brought home to our hearts, in a way of enjoyment, which will ever prove, under all the tiresomeness of the wilderness, a sure and abiding source of living consolation. It is a solemn fact, apart from a spiritual and saving knowledge of Christ, our very comfort, yea, all the blessings of a kind providence leave us unsatisfied and unblest, and frequently proves to many, the means by which they are left to fill up the measure of their iniquity, and to seal up for ever their everlasting condemnation. On the other hand, if by sovereign grace we have been convinced of sin, and brought in guilty before God, and the way of life, through the blood-shedding of the Lord Jesus Christ, opened to our view, and we have fled for refuge, laying hold of Christ, the only hope of the everlasting gospel; then whatever may be the outward circumstances of our pilgrimage, whether poor and afflicted, persecuted or forsaken, all is well for time and eternity. Yes, indeed; if our hopes were centered in the world, and were confined to the narrow limits of time we should be of all creatures the most miserable. But, blessed be God, our treasure lies beyond the skies; for our life" is hid with Christ in God;" so that when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, we shall appear also," and see him as he is."

My sister, this is no cunningly devised fable, no wild imagination, as the infidel would daringly assert, but the language of soberness and truth. The volume of inspiration, fully confirms every remark made, and which imparts to every tried, sin-conflicting saint a peace, the unchangeable events of a dying world, can never

effect, or the power of death itself destroy. And never forget, that it is only by a life of faith upon the Son of God, that we obtain the victory over sin within, and the power of darkness without, and triumph in the prospect of the solemn realities of an opening eternity. When Jesus shines into our poor hearts, and blesses us with an enjoyment of his great salvation, we become possessed of a treasure, the world with all its flattering and delusive promises cannot give, or all its frowns and cares ever destroy. If by the grace of God we are put among the children, and can give a reason of the hope that is in us, with meekness and fear, surely we profess an evidence of interest in an " inhetance incorruptible, undefiled and that fadeth not away; reserved in heaven for all those who are kept by the power of God, through faith unto eternal salvation." I am aware, a worldling, or a mere professor in the things of God, will not attach all this importance to the subject or regard its enjoyments as their present delight, and everlasting portion; but the period is coming, even the hour of death is rapidly approaching, when the value of these things will be determined, not according to the false light by which many now judge spiritual realities, but by the testimony of the word of God, which is the expression of Jehovah's perfections, and a deep consciousness that we are for ever undone, if destitute of an interest in the blood of atonement.

My sister, it is true, by the rich mercy of God, we have tasted the Lord to be gracious, in whom we have redemption through his blood; but it must be confessed, so weak and foolish are we at times, especially when the things of the world go with us, as our carnal hearts would desire, we forsake the God of our life, and our spirits cleave unto the dust, by which, in due time, we are left painfully to feel a chasm, or aching void, that nothing in this world can supply.

Not so, when blest with spirituality of mind, which is life and peace; we then experience every blesssing, which will amply supply our most enlarged desires, and so fill us with all joy and peace in believing which is to be found in Jesus, and in him alone. It is my happiness, that I can discover in your heart some good thing towards the Lord God of Israel, the pearl of great price, and do "count all things but as dross, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord.

Still, my sister, bear with me, whilst I repeat again, that in Jesus every blessing is treasured up, suited to all the various wants and distresses to which we are exposed in the present state, as well as to fully satisfy the vast desires of our deathless spirits, throughout an endless eternity. I am sure, if you consider the name he bears, the characters he sustains, the offices he fulfils; and all these, for the comfort and salvation of the poor and needy sinner, and those who have no helper, it will tend to endear him to your heart, as all your salvation and endless felicity.

I am aware, that such is the doubtful character of your experienee in your own feelings, that you often desire a true token, whereby you may know that you have passed from death unto life, never to be brought into a state of condemnation: these are the desires of a soul born of God, and wherever they exist, they prove the author to be divine, which will issue in the enjoyment of all the glories of the Lamb in the midst of the throne. I could not fail to perceive, the last time I saw you, when in town, how very cold, lifeless and insipid you are, in your experience and conversation; the noise and bustle with which you are surrounded, yea, in which you live and dwell, is very injurious to your spiritual state. Bnt there the providence of God has placed you; and all I can say is, Do not forget your resting place, and that the common way of

communication of heavenly blessings to your heart, is prayer and supplication. I am sure, the more we have to do with God in a way of communion, the more steady will be our foosteps in the wilderness, the more abiding our consolation, and the more faithful in every good word and work. Hence, it follows, when God the Holy Spirit works salvation in our hearts, the things which accompany salvation are worked out by precious faith, in a life and conversation becoming the gospel. It is true, I entertain the strongest hope, that you are no stranger to a life of faith upon the Son of God, from whose precious blood alone you expect to escape the wrath to come; but, as on many occasions, I have discovered, through the overwhelming cares and anxieties of the world, an unhappy coldness in your feelings in spiritual matters, so that you have appeared like a silly dove, having no heart. Allow me, with all afficeton, to impress upon your mind, the privilege and the profitableness of self-examination; " Consider what I say, and the Lord give you an understanding in all things."

Remember me kindly to your thoughtless son; I often think of him, and wonder where the scene of his iniquity will end; poor fellow, he little imagines when indulging his depraved desires, that death, with all its fearful consequences will attend his every footstep, which in some unexpected moment, may realize in his unhappy experience, all the terrors, and effects of a life, that as been devoted to the vile servitude of Satan, death, and hell: his present circumstances, and future prospects are very pleasing to flesh and blood, but he is exposed to many deadly snares which nothing less than the. power of God can save and deliver from; if he is now within the hearing of your voice, tell him from me, that if he continues destitute of an in interest in Christ, the Redeemer, the very comforts of life with which he is fa