as an object the most desirable. With the hope of likeness to him, the saints on earth comfort their hearts amid the calamities of life, under the heavy burden of inward corruption, and in the prospect of death. Viewing likeness to Christ in this light, the firm and lively expectation of being like him, purifies the heart, by carrying away the thoughts and desires from things present, which induce men to sin, and prevent the growth of religion. It is too obvious to be controverted, and too melancholy to be viewed without deep concern, that "the whole world lieth in wickedness." The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, engage their hearts and occupy their time, to the exclusion of the fear of God, and of obedience to his laws. Even in the hearts of Christians, though a better country be the governing object of their pursuit, there is much need of the apostolic injunction: "Set your affections on things above, and not on things on the earth." The things on the earth are suited to our low and depraved inclinations; they are always at hand; they ever press upon our notice: hence they share that love and desire, which the authority of God, and our own best interest, unite in demanding us to employ about things not seen and eternal. But the hope of which we speak, lifts up the heart from things present and sinful. The saying of Alexander is well known, and much to our purpose. After he had given away all his estate among his friends, one of them asked him, What he had left for himself? To which he replied, Hope. The greatness of his mind hindered him from prizing what he was certainly possessed of, and turned all his thoughts towards something more valuable, which he had in view. What we have in view, is an object of no less importance than perfection in holiness and celestial glory. And is it possible that the man who honestly cherishes this hope, will suffer his affections to remain enslaved by things sensual and carnal? Doth not the soldier, when he conducts himself suitably to the nature of his employment and its prospects, renounce all intemperate indulgences, which would enervate both his body and mind, and unfit him for enduring the fatigue and labours to which his country calls him, and prevent him from reaching those high honours which are the objects of his desire and hope? And will not the Christian soldier, the object of whose steady hope and ardent desire, is the perfection of his nature in likeness to Christ, feel himself disposed and determined to abandon, with abhorrence, every criminal indulgence, all eager pursuit of earthly good, which are likely to prevent the attainment of the grand object of his high, holy, and heavenly calling? Was it not the hope of a better country, which hindered Abraham from seeking rest and happiness in the well-watered vallies of Canaan? Was it not the hope of the heavenly recompence,

which lifted up the mind of Moses above the treasures of Egypt?

The lively hope of likeness to Christ, will lead a man to purify himself also, by raising his thoughts and affections to Heaven; and thereby transforming his heart gradually unto similitude with the object of his fixed meditation and fervent desire Where the treasure is, the heart will be. The heart will ever engage the thoughts and conversation about the objects that are dear and valuable; the Christian, therefore, whose soul burns with this hope, will make his future greatness and purity the chosen theme of his daily musing. His thoughts, amid the sleepless hours of the night, will follow hard after God," and dwell on the future stores of unceasing being and blessedness, which, in God's purpose, are laid up for him. This subject will sanctify and dignify the seasons of social intercourse, drive away the dulness of solitude, and enlighten the darkest hour of affliction; but besides the satisfaction and delight inseparable from such a train of thinking, it tends mightily to sanctify the heart, by insensibly changing it into likeness to the object which it beheld, admired, and loved. When we mingle with a cheerful company, we insensibly enter into their innocent humour: in like manner, when the devout Christian revolves in his mind, and with delight anticipates the future purity and blessedness of his nature, his dispositions, through the almighty energies of the Holy Ghost, become more and more pure; his desires lead to resolutions, his resolutions to endeavours, and, by the blessing of God, his endeavours issue in fitness for the heavenly state and employ

ment.

This hope also quickens the soul to make progress in the paths of purity and goodness. Hope is the most pleasing spring of action; it keeps the Mind awake in her most indolent hours, and cheers and gladdens her, even when she doth not attend to it. If the hope of earthly and transitory good make men thus active, how much more active must the hope of consummate felicity, in likeness to the Son of God, make them? Without religious hope, the Christian's life moves in a dull and sluggish manner. Hope quickens its motion; and, like the rapid stream over a gravelly bottom, it becomes by its motion more pure.

We learn from these thoughts, a safe method of judging of the value of our hope of Heaven. The hope that lives in good neighbourhood with a proud, impure, and envious heart, is conducting us to the grave with a lie in our right hand. Doth my hope of Heaven, therefore, lead me to cleanse myself from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God? How happy should the life of a Christian be, as a life of heavenly hopes! These hopes are fitted to spread perpetual serenity and cheerfulness over the soul: they refresh

the heart more than the breath of the morning, or the cooling spring refreshes our languid bodies!-Let us daily cherish this hope, by musing on the divine faithfulness, and drawing down strength from the God of hope, in fervent supplication and prayer. - Happy the man who hath the witness in himself of the purifying influence of this hope! A. W.

SIR,

ON EVANGELICAL SANCTIFICATION.

LETTER V.

I was not surprized when I read in your last, "I long to be holy!" A desire of this kind, I believe, induced you to ask my thoughts on this important theme-Christ made of God to us sanctification: and I know no other way of your obtaining your wish, than by directing your attention to this blessed object. The saints, or holy ones on earth, have not all the same sentiments with respect to various subjects; and they glorify God in a vast variety of forms, yet there is one exercise in which they all unite-The method which they use for obtaining purity of heart and life. We all, with open face, beholding, as in a glass, the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

Look, my dear Sir, to his person,-God in our nature! Here are brightly displayed the great truths through which we are sanctified. Here we behold the truth with regard to the excellencies of God; the union of the divinity and humanity in the person of the Redeemer; his appearance in the most proper season and manner; his endowment with the most suitable furniture; and his bringing, through Christ, the greatest good out of the greatest evil, shews the wisdom of God to be unsearchable. The unparalleled purity of Christ's manhood, and bis tremendous sufferings, when made sin for us, marvelously manifest, that God is glorious in holiness. His personal constitution and work being the fulfilment of God's most improbable promises and threatenings, declares that faithfulness is the girdle of his loins. Were it necessary, I might mention divine justice for God set forth Christ" to be a propitiation, to declare his righteousness, to declare, I say, his righteousness, that he might be just." I might take notice of his goodness: for" herein also is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us; and sent his Son to be a propitiation for our sins." But these are subjects familiar to your mind. Here we perceive the truth with respect to the law. The Son of God having become man, and being made under its precepts,

points out the duties which it requires, rendering them visible in their various circumstances; and that fulness of grace, which is in him as Mediator, discovers where, in order to our performance, our great, our only, strength lies.

With relation to sin, in Christ's mission and quickening virtue, we see our inability through it to renew our nature or life. In coming from the excellent glory, in his submitting to the deepest debasement, and in his bearing infinite wrath on our account, we behold it to be an evil, the malignity of which is inconceivable. Yes, blessed be God, in the satisfaction which he made by his obedience to the death, we perceive the effectual method of accomplishing its destruction, even by a believing application of Christ's blood. With reference to the covenant of grace, in Jesus it is manifested in all its parts. View his person, he is the surety and the administrator of it-view his services and sufferings, this is the condition of the covenant; and view his fulness, it contains every blessing secured in its promise. On these accounts you recollect, Jesus himself is called the Covenant: "I will give him for a covenant to the people." Happy is the person who hath been taught the truth as it is in Jesus! Inspiration informs us, they are inade clean, through the word; sanctified through the truth; and will put off, concerning our former conversation, the old man, which is corrupt, according to the deceitful lusts, and put on the new mau, which, after God, is created in righteousness and true holiness. I would now add, that the blessed Jesus is our pattern of holiness; and in this respect is our sanctification. He hath left us an example, that we should follow his steps. To mention all the respects in which our Lord is worthy of imitation, is more than you can expect. It cannot fail to occur to you, that Jesus trusted in God, his enenties themselves being judges. Such was his humility, that when we are directed to learn of him, the reason assigned is, "He was meek and lowly:" Such was his concern for the honour of his Father, that it was his meat to do his will, and the zeal of his house did eat him up. In spiritual mindedness he excelled all others; and in devotional services, he was more abundant. His circumstances in the world were mean, but he was always content; his sufferings were manifold, but he never repined: Here I will stop, not because the subject is exhausted even as man, who can utter his mighty_acts? who can shew forth all his praise? I forbear, because I intend to turn your attention to a few circumstances, in which the example of Jesus excels all others, before I conclude this epistle. Where shall we see a pattern so suitable? The obedience of

Christ was performed in human nature in this world, and under affliction, the common lot of Christians. Where shall we find a pattern so perfect? To say that he did no sin, is saying much; but Jesus was not only innocent, he was righteous, he

did always the things which pleased the Father. Where shall we perceive a pattern so honourable? He who, in the form of a servant, set us an example, is at the same time the King; one in the form of God, thinking it no robbery to make himself equal with God. Where shall we meet with a pat tern so engaging? Never let us forget the doctrine of victorious righteousness. What Jesus did, he performed from special love, in our law-room, and for our special good. To say no more, Where shall we meet with a pattern so authoritative? It was part of his design, in obeying this, that we should follow him; and he who obeyed is God over all, and hath all power as the Son of man. Oh that we were inclined to set the Lord always before us! The believer's contemplation of the glory of Christ's person, and the purity of his conduct, would gradually conform us to his image. This would make us blameless and harmless; the sons of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom we would shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life. Perfection in holiness indeed we need not look for, while we see Christians by the eye of faith. You, my friend," long to be holy ;" and you be transported to Heaven, your desire will never be fully gratified. There indeed you will be perfectly pure; and, according to Scripture, even there, your holiness will be produced by the immediate vision of Jesus.

till

Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not appear what we shall be; but "we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." Til then, I am yours, &c.

A. B.

ADVICE TO A NEW-MARRIED COUPLE,

BY THE FATHER

My dear Son and Daughter,

THE intimate connexion into which you are now brought by the hand of Divine Providence, has been the occasion of many serious reflections in my mind, and of many supplications to the God of all grace. Accept this letter as a token of my sincere love to you as your father; and of my earnest care for you as your pastor.

I exhort you, first, my dear son, to review the footsteps of unerring Providence. You were cast upon the Lord in early life; he, in a remarkable manner, has taken care of you. O bless his holy name! And ever shew becoming respect and gratitude to that relative who has been employed by the Lord for your good: never cease to pray for the peace and prosperity of her soul. Above all, adore the free, distinguishing, and efficaci