and therefore it is, that I am so anxious that you should taste that joy, and feel that strength. You acknowledge that my last letter has made you feel more than before, the great encouragement we have to approach God in the name of his beloved Son. You agree with me that it is impossible to meditate on the gracious, condescending messages sent us by the Most High, on the patience, mercy, and love displayed in his conduct to our fallen race,-on those brighter manifestations of gentleness and goodness, when as "God manifest in the flesh," he visibly appeared amongst his sinful creatures,-lived with them,-conversed with them,—and dispensed blessings all around him,—you agree with me that it is impossible prayerfully to meditate on all these things, without feeling encouraged to come to the Saviour for life and salvation. And you express a hope, that you "may be accepted at the last." But dearest, is it honor

ing the stupendous redemption work of the Lord from Heaven, which he himself pronounced with his dying lips to be perfect, and "finished;"-is it exalting the mighty and complete salvation of God our Saviour, ushered in with the rapturous praises of angels who proclaimed "peace on earth, "good will" to men, and that they brought from heaven "good tidings of great joy; "—is it scriptural to suppose, that after all the wonderful things which the Lord Jesus Christ hath done, and suffered on our behalf, his people are called to pass their life in doubt, and fear, only cheered with the hope of being "accepted at the last?" Can this wavering, uncertain, trembling hope, be the "strong consolation" of which the Apostle speaks, which he describes as "sure, and stedfast?" -as the "confidence which hath great recompence of reward?"-as the state of "rest," into which the believer enters even before his warfare is accomplished? "For

we which have believed do enter into rest."

Surely, none could more perfectly know the mind of the Lord than the Apostles, instructed as they were from his own lips, and favored with so large an influence of His Divine Spirit; yet when addressing their converts, they never inculcate the doctrine of uncertainty, but on the contrary, exhort them to obtain a clear, and blessed assurance of their state of acceptance. "These things write we unto you," says St. John, "that your joy may be full." Now it is the blessed hope of acceptance which can alone fill the soul with joy.

Again, he adds,-" We know that we have passed from death unto life." "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life." And

the Apostle St. Paul when earnestly praying for those whom he had never even seen, particularly requests, "that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding." When writing to another body of Christians, he exhorts them to attain unto the "full assurance of hope." And addressing a third church, he exclaims, "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Therefore we are always confident," &c. The Apostles had felt the mighty sanctifying power of this holy comfort in their own souls. They knew by happy experience that it is a "doctrine according to godliness;" and therefore they were anxious to stir up their converts to seek its blessed influence, that they might bring forth more abundantly the fruits of holiness to the glory of God. Now

as the Apostles exhort us to follow them. in doctrine, and practice, because they had the "mind of Christ," we should endeavour to understand with clearness, their doctrine, that we may be the better able to follow their practice. It is of the greatest consequence that our views be clear and distinct; for if our perceptions of Divine truth be misty, our comfort will be clouded, wavering, and indistinct likewise. If we consider a particular view dangerous, and presumptuous, the whole bent of our feelings, the whole habit of thought will be against it; but, should we find it scriptural, and greatly tending to edification, how different will be the impression upon the mind! It will then be as much sought, as it was before dreaded,—as much desired as it was before shunned. You evidently think it would be presumptuous in you to look upon yourself as already in a state of acceptance with God; you hope to be able to persevere, and when the fruits of