unto such a mourner, by turning or directing him to the same foundation of peace, on which he first laid hold in the day of his espousals to Christ, cleaving to this with all his heart, as the sole ground for his acceptance, his peace is regained and established; and he is at liberty to make advancements in holiness: for now he can face the enemy and boldly say, "I am freely justified, not by works of righteousness which I have done: I am accepted only in Christ and by believing in him that justifieth the ungodly. I am the righteousness of God in him, who was made sin for me; in him am I found, not having my own righteousness, as the ground of my justification more or less; but that which is by the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." And relying on and holding fast this, he not only finds his peace renewed but love and joy in the Holy Ghost flowing into his soul, in streams more silent, but yet more deep and copious than before. And now having fixed the foot of faith on this firm, unshaken rock, he sees the work he has to do, even to root out and expel from his heart all God's enemies and his own. And now let satan try to destroy his peace, he can answer, Tempt as you will, my soul repels, And like a bounding hart, flies home. Of such great importance then, is the imputed righteousness of Christ to a believer throughout his whole life, and especially in the most perilous stages of his christian warfare. To strike at this doctrine then, is to strike at the root of gospel holiness, and cut short all improvement in grace and conformity to the image of God. Most belivers, I am apt to think, who have ever resolved to live up to their privileges, have found the truth of what I have here said, by their own experience. They know, that without peace, they could get no ground; and that they could attain no solid peace but in the doctrine of justifica tion by faith without the deeds of the law. For a more full and judicious illustration of this important point, I refer you to Mr. Wesley's excellent sermon on ii. Cor. ii. 11. "We are not ignorant of his devices." 3d vol. page 193. Again, when a believer feels a necessity for a deeper work, it is of great consequence that he firmly believe, that a maturity of grace and gospel holiness is not only attainable and promised, but also commanded. For though as I have already said, love is the most powerful spring to steady and uniform obedience, yet as long as they continue in this world, believers will stand in need of precepts as well as promises. They ought therefore to read and consider both, that they may be stimulated by the one, and animated by the other. But when the believer is firmly persuaded that such a maturity of grace is attainable, and that the attainment of it is both his duty and his privilege, because it is both commanded and promised, then let him seek it by faith, I mean, let him plead with ardor and constancy the great and precious promises of the gospel respecting sanctification and holiness; believing that what God has promised he is both able and willing to perform. Let him pray with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with perseverance: but let him ask in faith nothing wavering or doubting, as if what God had promised was too much for him to bestow. I find this letter also swelling under my hand, therefore these few hints must suf fice. And for such as wish to see this part of the subject handled more at large, I would refer them to Mr. Fletcher's address to imperfect believers, 6th vol. of his works, page 253; I shall say nothing about that celebrated question, "Whether the maturity of grace in an adult believer be gradual or instantaneous?" As perhaps upon the whole it may be more curious than useful; not that I would have any one so to distrust the goodness and power of God, as not to believe "That one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.' And sure I am that I have found the ardent desires of my heart often to breathe in the following lines, "O that I now that rest might know, Now saviour, now the pow'r bestow, Thus have I complied with your request, as fully as the narrowness of the limits prescribed would allow. I doubt not but these letters stand in need of correction, as I have not had leisure to go over them a second time. But being convinced of the soundness and utility of the sentiments therein contained, I send them to you just as they are. And should you think proper to send them to the press, I pray God to accompany them with his blessing. I am your's most respectfully, D. JARRATT. What follows would have been omitted, had I not found that the misrepresentations published years ago in Dr. Coke's Journal, still remain in print, without any public recantation. It seems concessions were made privately, but they should have been as public as the of fence-Violence was no part of Mr. Jarratt's character, but on the contrary moderation in all things. The following are his sentiments, freely and fully on the subject: Virginia, August 31, 1790. REV. AND DEAR SIR, YOUR favour by Mr. J. and your last by Mr. T. came safe to hand, with which I am well pleased. I am determined, as much as lieth in me to live peaceably with all men, and whatever squibs may be thrown at me I shall endeavor to let them pass by me as the idle wind which I respect not. I hope you will endeavor to do the same. For shouldwe attend to all the little shifts and stratagems of parties and party catchers we might have more than enough to do; and in the end, perhaps only injure ourselves and wound our own peace and repose. Dr. Coke's journal, I hope to treat with becoming contempt. But should I light on him in a proper place I might try to convict him of sin, or else furnish him with matter for a new Journal. His little soul, I believe, was exasperated at me, for laughing at his episcopal credentials, which he vainly drew out upon me, with Mr. Wesley's hand and seal annexed forsooth. The sight to me was truely farcical and lu |