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and is looked upon and enjoyed as all in all. Doubts and fears disperse as naturally as the smoke when it ascends from the chimney, or the darkness when the sun ariseth. Confidence in Christ increases, zeal for his glory appears, and the sinner begins to learn doctrine. The warfare within waxes hot and determined, trials without begin to grow more formidable, unthought of difficulties present themselves, new and more fearful temptations are presented, and faith begins to be tried. Everything at times appears to go wrong, sweet communion is suspended, and the soul seems left with only the bare promises of his God and Saviour to trust in or draw comfort from. He pines for former enjoyments, and has a multitude of disorderly and perplexing thoughts within him; but God is faithful, who will not allow him to be tempted above what he is able to bear, but will, with the temptation, make a way for his escape, that he may be able to bear it. is now obliged to cast anchor within the veil, and look at the things which he cannot The free promise, faithful assurances, and inviolable oath of God, now become the source of his joy, and the object of his faith; and he looks for that blessed hope,

see.

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even the glorious appearing of the GREAT GOD his Saviour Jesus Christ.

He finds he is obliged continually to be going to Jesus as he went at first, he feels himself as feeble, as worthless, and as vile as ever, and has no other warrant for his faith but God's most precious word. The conflict goes on, his trials abound, but he believes in Jesus, and he has eternal life. He is quickened by it in his soul, and often feels encouraged in looking forward to the full enjoyment of all that is contained in those precious words. He receives at present, and expects to receive at last, eternal life as God's free gift, conferred of richest grace, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; embraced by simple faith under the operation of the Holy Spirit; on the warrant of God's free invitation, and faithful promise; to the praise of the glory of his grace. Poor desponding soul! art thou looking for something within to entitle thee to eternal life, or to warrant thee to come to Jesus? Thou art mistaken; and darkness, doubt, and perplexity will be thy portion; until thou art led to see that Gospel blessings are to be had without money, and without price; and only so.

"O bring no price, God's grace is free,
For Saul, for Magdalene, for THEE.”

Expect not to be sealed first and then to believe, for after we believe, or in believing, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Go to Christ just as thou art, venture upon him, renounce everything but him, take him for all, and look to him as all. Cast thy guilty soul upon him, this is faith and whosoever believeth hath everlasting life, and shall never come into condemnation, but is passed from death to life. John v. 24. Thus have the Lord's family been led to act in every age. "They looked unto him, and were lightened; and their faces were not ashamed." Go and do likewise, and their blessedness shall be your portion.

Blest with the faith that works by love,
Blest with eternal life thou art,
Thou hast the life of those above,
The seed of glory in thy heart :
For God in Christ is love to man,
And when to the believer given,
The soul doth in itself contain,

The essence and the bliss of heaven.

A PLEA AND A PRAYER.

PSALM CXIX. 10.

"With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments."

THOU, O Lord, art the object of my desire and search, I cannot be happy without thee, and yet I am living at a distance from thee. I remember with what earnestness, anxiety, and ardent longing I sought thee at first; no difficulties could deter, no obstacles could hinder, no enemies could prevent; my soul was set upon finding thee, and I could not rest until I had attained my object. And when I first missed thy presence after it had been sweetly enjoyed by me, I remember my distressed feelings, my agitated mind, my impatient longings for thy return: everything appeared empty, vain, and worthless; no one, nor anything could satisfy or please but Jesus, and the light of his countenance. But now

though still I love thee, and cannot be comfortable without thee, yet I lament and grieve that I do not seek thee with that earnestness and perseverance I did then.

O quicken me according to thy word. My whole heart at times goes out after thee, but I want it to be always set upon God, and that it should be daily, yea hourly offered up as a whole burnt-offering to God, in the flames of spiritual devotion and holy love. O that thou wouldest fill my heart, entirely fill it with thy presence, holiness, and love I would not reserve any faculty or part, but freely and cheerfully surrender it up for so blessed a purpose. I do feel,

I dare say,

"There's nothing here deserves my joys,
There's nothing like my God."

I seek thee, gracious God, to give myself up afresh unto thee, and to take thee afresh to be mine. The more I have to do with the things of time, the more I weary of them, and wish to be detached from them: the more I have to do with thee and spiritual things, the more I wish to be wholly thine, and entirely given up to them. I seek thee to feel thy power put forth in my heart, bringing every thought into subjection, and devoting me altogether to thy service and praise.

Religion without power is a poor thing; thy kingdom is not in word, but in power,

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