performances; while grace in the Christian's heart constrains him to serve and honour that blessed Redeemer in whom he knows he is accepted. The glory of Christianity will never be seen, nor can its rich advantages be enjoyed, until a conviction is communicated, and a persuasion entertained, that we are ready to perish, that we are without strength, and that none but Christ can deliver us. Until then, the Gospel is foolishness to every mind; but when thus spiritually and divinely impressed, it becomes at once "Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." The more, my dear R-, you are conversant with the Christian world, and with professors in it, the more you will see that where the doctrine of man's condemnation and helplessness is not faithfully inculcated, and the necessity and sufficiency of a Saviour's sacrifice is not clearly exhibited, (doctrines which were so fully maintained by the divines of the last century, whose names will be ever precious in the sight of God, and which were the support and joy of every martyr at the stake; wherever, I say, these primary truths are not scripturally and perseveringly unfolded), all real religion is at a stand. The form may be preserved; but as to spiritual sensibility, it is all stagnant and dead; and the professor, who occasionally may name the name of Christ, is habitually borne down by the errors and vices that surround him. May the Lord keep you and me from every degree of error, and

teach us to exemplify more fully in our daily conversation the truth as it is in Jesus!

I am, my dear R-, yours, &c. &c.

LETTER XXIII.

TO MR. R B

J. BOWDEN.

Dec. 22, 1794.

MY DEAR R―,

I SUPPOSE you have before this time finished your investigation of the doctrine of liberty and necessity; and I can easily suppose that you have learnt that there are among the things of God some that we may look into, but which we cannot find out. We may reason upon them, we may draw certain conclusions relating to them from premises which are fully established by the word of God; but when the wisest of men have attempted particular explanation, they have done little but darken counsel without understanding. Thus much we can with confidence say, that we and all mankind, as to all holy and acceptable obedience, are of ourselves and in our natural state without strength: that whatever is evil in us, is from ourselves; whatever is truly good, either in disposition or practice, is of God: that it is impossible that we, by the exertions of our utmost endeavours, and the most

careful improvement of our highest advantages, should establish a righteousness of our own for justification that the noblest spring of obedience, and that which only can sanctify the gifts we present to God, and render them acceptable, is faith in a dying Saviour, which worketh by love. It is equally certain, that in whatever soil this heavenly plant is found, it will be productive, more or less, of good fruits, holy and heavenly. In whatever hearts this and other Divine principles are found, the hand of God must be confessed. It is He that saves us and calls us with a holy calling; and salvation is entirely his own work yet it is manifest, that, in effecting this change in our hearts, he is pleased to draw us with the cords of a man, and to make use of means and motives;—of such arguments of terror and of love, as are most likely to produce the desired effect in rational creatures. It is certain, that if the heart of the prodigal resist these calls from Heaven; if the hardened rebel refuse the mercy of his Prince, with so much affectionate importunity offered him; if the man of the world, the slave of vile affections and lusts, turn away from Him that speaketh from heaven, and say, "6 We have loved our idols, and after them will we go;" he must bring redoubled guilt and wrath upon his head: and yet it is as fully declared in the word of God, that it is the sovereign grace of God that chooses from among the children of men a people for his praise; that it is his almighty power that forms them for himself, creates

them anew in Christ Jesus unto good works, and directs their hearts into his love. These propositions are fully supported by the Scripture; but if we would enter into explanation, and attempt to answer such inquiries as these ;-" what was there in the converted sinner, but the grace of God, which determined the happy issue of the means of conversion in his experience;-or, what was it in the unbelieving sinner, but the want of that grace which occasioned the dreadful triumph of the evil heart over the means of conversion?" we shall find ourselves involved in a labyrinth of difficulties, which, if we are truly wise, I think we shall leave to the light of heaven and glory to explain. My dear R-, my wish concerning you is, that, while searching into the writings of Divine grace, you would make the word of God the man of

your counsel. Study the sacred Scriptures with application: bring home the sacred truths you find there, and compare them with what you find in your own heart: that knowledge which arises from experience, or is confirmed by it, will be productive of the happiest effects. When doubts and difficulties arise in your mind, let your heart bow before God, and say, "What I know not, teach thou me.' Cultivate an habitual reverence of God: be afraid of every temptation to remissness or formality in those duties which are the appointed means of promoting the lifeof God in the soul: and if it be the will of God to spare your life, and put you into the ministry, you

will then come forth as one who is not only improved by study, and taught of men, but especially improved by experience, and taught of God.

I am, my dear R-, yours, &c. &c.

It gives me pleasure to find you look forward to the work of the ministry with so much solemnity of spirit. It is, indeed, of all employments the most arduous. Your own everlasting interest will be deeply involved in the fidelity and diligence with which you discharge its important functions; while the eternal state of many will depend on the regard they pay to the Gospel you deliver. Under the impression of such reflections as these, we need not wonder that you receive the sacred commission with a trembling hand, and with the great Apostle exclaim, "Who is sufficient for these things?" Shall I mention a few thoughts, calculated to direct your inquiries, and satisfy your mind, as to the reality of your call to the discharge of the duties appertaining to the ministerial office? First, then, Whom God commissions, he instructs.-It is requisite that