delight and joy, which some persons experience in the exercise of devotion. To this I answer, that attention and earnestness, and a certain degree of fervour in our devotion, are doubtless qualifications necessary to render them acceptable to our Heavenly Father; for we are told, that it is only the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man that availeth much;' and God reproves those who draw near to him with their lips, while their hearts are far from him.' But the degree of this fervour, as well as of the joy that springs from devotion, will (like that of the love of God) depend much on the natural temper, disposition, constitution, and other circumstances, and will of course be very different in different men. To wanderings and distraction and occasional languor in their prayers, the best of men are, I fear, sometimes sometimes subject; and they must always be resisted to the utmost of our power. There can be no doubt, that, if you strive against them in earnest, you will, by degrees, with God's grace, entirely or in a great measure subdue them, and will also acquire more pleasure in the exercise of devotion. In the meantime, as you say it already affords you satisfaction and comfort, and spreads over your mind a calm complacency and religious composure, you may humbly hope, that your imperfections will be pardoned, and your sincere endeavours accepted at the Throne of Grace. ཐཱ The next misfortune you complain of is, that you do not possess that high degree of heavenly-mindedness, that lively conception of the joys of heaven, and that animated and rapturous delight in the contemplation of them, with which some some persons, and especially Mr. Wilberforce, seem to be blessed. To this I say, that although these delightful feelings are most ardently to be desired, and aimed at, yet if with your utmost endeavours and prayers you cannot attain to them, you must submit with humble resignation to the will of God, and not be dejected or discouraged, or think it any mark of God's displeasure, that he does not vouchsafe them to you. They are undoubtedly the most valuable blessings, that his mercy can bestow upon us ; and happy, thrice happy, are they to whom they are given. But, like many other blessings, they fall to the lot of few." Great numbers of sincere Christians feel, that with their utmost efforts they cannot raise their minds to them; and it is then a misfortune in which they must patiently acquiesce. Besides, Infinite Wisdom may see good reasons for not indulging you you with these heavenly sensations. The denial of them may be intended as a trial of your patience, your humility, your meekness, your submission; and, if it produce this effect, it will have answered a good end; and, though you may lament the want of these comforts, you have no reason to fear that an involuntary want will be imputed to you as a fault. "With respect to the love of fame, or worldly estimation, there is very little said upon it in Scripture, less perhaps than on any motive of human conduct. But it may be said generally, that this passion, like every other belonging to our frame, when it becomes the predominant and ruling passion, becomes unlawful and sinful: but when kept within proper bounds, and directed to worthy objects, it is then certainly allowable. It is in short to be governed and regulated, not to be exterminated. Mr. Wilberforce himself himself says, that it is then only a corrupt principle of action, when it is tinctured with a disposition to estimate too highly and to love too ardently the good opinion of man; when it prompts us to pride ourselves on our natural or acquired endowments; to assume to ourselves the merit and credit of our good qualities, instead of ascribing all the honour and glory where they are due. It is only, in short, an inordinate, and a too earnest pursuit of worldly distinction, that is forbidden. We are not called upon absolutely to renounce it; but when it is voluntarily bestowed upon us for actions intrinsically good, we may then accept it with thankfulness, as one of the rewards annexed to virtue. Under these restrictions, therefore, you may have a due regard to the favour and approbation of good men. As to mentioning or preserving the memory of any services you |