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Another caution I would suggest is this: expect not too much. I mean, when you engage in the duty of self-examination: rather let the inquiry be, Is it the desire of my soul to give up myself in solemn covenant unto the Lord, and to have his promise fulfilled in his great work wrought in me? Then am I the Lord's, and is my heart under the power of renewing grace? The latter may issue in fear, the former in hope. The Bible is your directory in this great duty. Two facts especially interesting and important the Spirit of God in the Bible represents to us; our own state of sin and misery by nature, and the wonderful remedy which his love has provided for us in Jesus Christ. The whole Scripture abounds with references to the fallen, depraved, guilty, helpless state of man. The awful fact is manifest in his understanding, his will, and affections. The estrangedness of his heart from God, the debased state of his mind, and his proneness, without exception, to that which is evil, are testimonies not to be reasonably disputed. The provisions of the Old Testament, represented in promises, prophecies, and types, concur with that astonishing grace and truth which came by Christ Jesus, to render the demonstration more complete. Examine yourself in regard to this <very serious subject; be not afraid to know yourself, and though you see yourself a miserable sinner, and your heart a corrupt fountain, you will have no reason to entertain one desponding apprehension. It is the Comforter, the promised Comforter, who

convinces of sin; and this is the way he takes to introduce and to endear Jesus, the Saviour, the Friend. None but a broken, a contrite heart, will open to receive him. You, my dear friend, while, with the word of God in your hand, you search and examine your own heart, will justify these representations; and the more you see of the character and grace of the Lord Jesus in the Gospel, the more you will be abased in your own sight: you will be ashamed, yea, even confounded: you will see, that if ever you are saved, it must be of free and sovereign grace. Yes, my dear Madam, the grace of God in Christ, is in every view sovereign grace; and in its overtures, it is not only free, but importunate. Your heart, under the most painful conviction of sin and of the need of salvation, does not, cannot, long more earnestly for the grace that is in Christ Jesus, than he waits and longs to be gracious to you. Then, while by the light of the word you study your own heart, and find there is no help in you; contemplate the amazing, the infinite grace of God, in Christ crucified, in Christ preached unto the Gentiles, in Christ knocking at the door of a sinner's heart, importunate to enrich him with all the blessings of salvation. Precious Saviour! Pray for his Spirit to take of the things of Christ, and shew them unto you. You will want no exhortation to love him, to trust in him, to rejoice in him; you will cast yourself at his feet, as his willing servant, and bless the providence, however distressful, that led to your in

quiring after him. I trust you will find herein the way of relief. The Lord grant you power to sustain your sinking mind, and to receive the strong consolations that are in Christ Jesus!

I am, &c. &c.

LETTER XLVII.

TO MISS B

J. BOWDEN.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

Oy account of Mrs. L's afflicted state, it falls to the lot of a stranger to acknowledge the favour of your affectionate letter: a stranger in outward respects, but not so, we trust, in regard to Him, in whom the whole family in heaven and earth are named. Unknown, yet well known;" by rich grace a member of comparatively long standing in the highly privileged society into which Miss MB has, it seems, gained a recent admission. This is my warrant for such an address as affection should dictate; and for assuring you, as my friend, how my. heart rejoices in the discovery you have found-found, I am well assured, when it was unsought! Eternal praises to the God of Salvation for the change of state, and the change of mind; and, as the happy consequence, the change of taste and company, of masters and employments, of cares

and griefs, of enjoyments and prospects you have experienced! and you have to expect that He, who has shewn you great mercy, will do yet more, much more, in you, and for you; will sanctify your understanding to more delightful apprehensions, your affections to more pure and heavenly delights, and your will to perfect "singleness of heart, serving the Lord:" that he will, by conflict, give you victory; by pain, pleasure; by afflictive doubts and alarms confirm your faith; by abasing infirmity improve your sanctification; and, perhaps, by distressful withdrawments, direct your heart more than ever into his love. Only stand to your solemn engagement, seek him in his appointed way, go your way by the footsteps of his flock, prize his ordinances, live upon his promises, record his signal appearances; and he will cause you to "inherit substance;" he will feast you with the hidden manna, he will delight you with heavenly friendships, and recompense every sacrifice you make in his cause a hundred fold, and will himself be all in all to you, when every creature-joy shall be entirely and for ever extinguished. In respect to our friend, Mrs. L-, her case, in outward respects, is pitiable in a very great degree. Bodily afflictions prevail, so as to allow of very little repose by night, or relief by day. With this, thick darkness and distress often produce an agony. All sensible comfort is fled; yet, though to herself unknown, everlasting consolation is treasured up, for her behind the cloud. The desire of her soul is to him

who will not always chide, nor break the bruised reed; for "though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion." Friendly converse affords her some occasional relief; but the burden quickly returns, and is, beyond expression, oppressive. We are now waiting for the Lord, more than they that watch for the morning. Miss B- will mingle her prayers and cries with those of many; and he who shall come, will come, in his well chosen time, and will not tarry. Our dear Mrs. L's hand and arm being greatly enlarged, and in much pain, she is disabled from writing; but it will afford her pleasure to receive a letter.

I am, my dear young friend,

Your's, &c.

J. BOWDEN.

LETTER XLVIII.

TO MISS B

It

I HAVE, my friend, on the part of the afflicted Mrs. L, to acknowledge your favour. contains truths, precious, consolatory, and appropriate. It was received by Mrs. L- with affection, and, as far as her judgment was concerned, with approbation and esteem; but the still small voice of reason, even while accompanied with the testimony of Scripture, is of little avail at present.

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