Part 2

Urge the immediate duty of giving the affections of the heart to God. Show them that if they will only love God, they will then feel their guilt in refusing to obey him, and will greatly desire to live for his glory. If they will only love their God and Saviour, they will feel that they can trust in the merits of his atoning blood. Do not, for a moment, allow them to feel that performing the outward duties of religion, is doing any thing to recommend them to God, but is only a _means_ of making them feel more deeply their immediate obligation to give the affections of their hearts to him, and of realizing the reasonableness of his holy law which requires it. Speak to them as if you really _felt_ that there was no need of any delay, but that they could immediately perform what God requires; and in order to do this, endeavour to have a deep and realizing sense of this truth yourself. If they complain of their inability, or of the difficulty they find in performing their duty, show them that it is because they have so long forgotten and neglected God, that though it has really become difficult, it is a difficulty they have made for themselves, and which is an addition to their guilt. Show them that whatever the difficulty is, they can overcome it; for God never requires of his creatures, what they cannot perform, and his standing unalterable law is, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.” Remember always that the more clearly, constantly, and forcibly the truth is presented to any mind that will attend to it, the more hope there is that it will be obeyed.

One caution however, needs to be added, and that is, that when it becomes apparent that the mind _will not_ be brought to attend to the subject; when you find that the efforts become wearisome and unpleasant, always _cease for a while_, and wait for another time, or else you will do more harm than good. Persevering after this will only affect their minds with disgust and aversion towards a subject to which they have resolved they will not attend.

Another caution is also important. Always _speak kindly and affectionately_ to friends upon this subject; and if you find all your efforts vain, though you cease to urge neglected duty, still continue to express the same kindness and interest for them. Do not give them occasion to feel that, because they will not take your advice, you have cast them off as reprobates, and no longer desire their society. We may still continue to love the amiable natural traits of our friends, even though we find that they refuse to have them crowned and beautified by religion. Let all your efforts for the good of others be accompanied by earnest and constant prayer.

Lastly, do not be discouraged because you find that you are _very deficient in any of the particulars specified_.

Remember, that Christian life is a _warfare_, and that it is only at the _end_ that we are to come off conquerors and more than conquerors. Remember, that He whom you are striving to serve and please, is not a hard master. Though you have been inexcusable in fostering habits of neglect, and all the difficulties you find are of your own making, yet he can be “touched with the feeling of your infirmities.” When he sees that you really are afflicted because you are so constantly tempted to forget him, he pities you “as a father pitieth his children;” and so long as you see the means he has appointed to keep you from sin, and wait upon him for strength and guidance, he will never leave nor forsake you. When you feel your own strength and resolution failing, go to him who hath said, “my grace is sufficient for thee, and my strength shall be made perfect in weakness.” Call upon him, “and he will be very gracious unto the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee. And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, this is the way, walk ye therein, when ye turn to the right and when ye turn to the left.” Remember also, that the conflict is short; the race will speedily be accomplished—soon your deficiencies and guilt shall pain you no more—soon you shall “see him as he is,” and “awake in his likeness and be satisfied therewith.”

LETTER

TO A YOUNG LADY AT THE OUTSET OF A RELIGIOUS LIFE.

My dear young Friend,—As your mind becomes more enlightened in the knowledge of divine things, I am sure you will ever find fresh cause to wonder at the goodness of God. The contemplation of his character is a theme of never-ending delight; and in proportion as we discover our own worthlessness and guilt, we shall likewise have the brighter manifestations of his unspeakable excellence. And it is most profitable to cultivate such inquiries; for, the more we are impressed with the infinite holiness and purity of God, our hatred to sin will increase. This, again, directly leads to the promotion of genuine humility, and lively gratitude, and unfeigned piety. We are humbled to the dust when we think of “the rock from whence we are hewn;” that we are the apostate children of apostate parents: still more so when we feel the awful aggravation of our guilt, in having wilfully forsaken and estranged ourselves from a God, whose peculiar characteristic is love; a God, who, in spite of all our rebellions against his authority, and all our violations of his law, and all our contempt of his gracious warnings, is yet ready to extend his merciful forgiveness, and to restore his lost favour to every penitent and returning sinner. I have often considered the following passages from the prophecies of Isaiah, as a most engaging and encouraging delineation of Divine goodness; “Therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you; and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you.” The most hardened and abandoned criminal is often melted into tenderness by the compassionate sympathy of the person whom he has offended. He not only humbly confesses his guilt, but is overwhelmed with grateful, joyful surprise. So it frequently happens, when the sinner, convinced of his guilt, first discovers that the great God against whom he has been offending all his life long, is actually waiting that he may be gracious; and is exalted on a throne of mercy, as it were, for the very purpose of dispensing the blessings of forgiveness. “The goodness of God leads him to repentance:” and then, with the most affectionate humility, at once he leaves off his rebellion, enlists himself into the service of so kind a Master, and, with the newly converted Paul, exclaims, “Lord what wouldest thou have me to do?” This devoted attachment kindles into acts of open and decided piety. He feels his unspeakable obligations to redeeming love; and these obligations are ever acquiring fresh strength, as he grows in a more thorough knowledge of the “desperate wickedness” of his own heart: he loves much, because much has been forgiven.

I doubt not but the workings of your own experience have some correspondence with those I have described. You have now been happily led to flee from the wrath to come, and to embrace Christ crucified as all your salvation. But on the retrospect of former years, does it not strike you with amazement that God did not “cut you down as a cumberer of the ground?” that he did not inflict the awful curse which your unceasing provocations had so justly incurred? that he persevered so long in a course of tender forbearance? and, above all, that at last he should fix upon you as a special object of his clemency, and “pluck you as a brand from the burning?” You must ascribe all the change in your condition—the condemnation from which you are rescued, and the blessings to which you are exalted—to the free, unsought, and unmerited love of God in Christ Jesus. O, my friend! let the range of your meditations often run in this direction. It will take eternity itself to unfold the manifold wisdom, and the matchless love of God, in the redemption of your soul; but, O! begin the work at present, and let the beginning and the ending of your reflections and your praise be, “Hear what the Lord hath done for me.” Delight yourself in the Lord. It is, indeed, an interesting employment to think on the glories of his person, the excellences of his character, and the wisdom of all his dispensations, especially in reference to yourself. It will expand your mind with the most sacred delight. It will, unconsciously, cultivate a spirit of prayer and devotion; and in thus holding communion with God, you will experience that “fulness of joy,” which nothing earthly can bestow.

But, alas! methinks I can anticipate your lamentations. Are you not desirous of telling me, that through the deceitfulness of sin, you are often beguiled of your privileges, and robbed of those spiritual comforts for which your soul pants? It is your wish to love God from every consideration, but especially because he commended his love towards you, in that, while you were a sinner, Christ died for you. It is your wish to live in communion with your God, and to follow after that holiness without which no man shall see his face. But your imaginations are full of vanity, and your best endeavours after heavenly meditation are interrupted and marred by the frequent intrusion of evil thoughts. All this may be true enough in your case; for I firmly believe it accords with the experience even of the most advanced Christians. But allow me to say, that while you thus groan under the burden of remaining corruption, and are grieved on account of your natural aversion to what is good, you have reason to bless God for making you _feel_ your proneness to evil, and teaching you that your _entire_ dependence must be on his promised grace. At the same time that you confess and mourn over your imperfections, are you not powerfully affected with a sense of the Divine long-suffering, in bearing with them, and in even sympathizing with you under them; and in the readiness with which our gracious God condescends to help the infirmities, and supply all the wants of his people? In short, as you grow in grace, you will always find growing cause to humble yourself on account of your manifold short-comings, and to exalt the Saviour for the riches of his grace and love, so freely, so suitably, and so abundantly conferred. This is the tendency of the whole gospel dispensation. The sinner is nothing, and can do nothing. Christ Jesus is all in all. The blessings which he died to purchase, and now for ever lives to bestow, are inestimable in their nature, infinite in their extent, and eternal in their duration. O, amazing boon! And these blessings are offered without money and without price. They are a gift, a free gift; the gift of the great eternal God to the creatures of his own formation: the gift of the heavenly Father to children who are unconsciously upheld by his power, and fed by his bounty, and loaded with his benefits from day to day. What condescension! what love! And yet, strange to tell, both the Giver and the gift are alike despised by blinded, degraded, ungrateful man! This is a most affecting and humiliating view of human nature. But is it not a just one? We cannot look around us without perceiving innumerable proofs of its truth. Nor can even the renewed mind of a Christian free itself from the sad accusation of undervaluing that great salvation, which nothing could accomplish but the incarnation, death, and resurrection of the Son of God. How then shall those escape who despise the proffered mercy? Solemn consideration!

But study you, my dear young friend, to keep yourself in the love of God. Live habitually under the influence of your own unworthiness, and of his unspeakable goodness. God is love: it is your duty to love him in return, with _all_ your heart and soul. See that you never forget what he has done to save you from everlasting perdition, and to raise you to glory, and honour, and immortality. Remember the infinite obligations under which you are laid; and let it be your constant aim to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments; to serve him with a willing mind; to glorify him with your body and your spirit, which are his. Nor will you ever find that this is a hard service. On the contrary, the nearer you live to God, you will enjoy the larger measure of that “peace which passeth all understanding.”

MEMENTO OF AFFECTION.

FROM CHRISTIAN PASTORS, TO THOSE WHO, UNDER THEIR CARE, HAVE COMMENCED A RELIGIOUS LIFE: IN THE LANGUAGE OF THE SCRIPTURES.

To them who have obtained like precious faith with us, through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

We thank our God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of ours, making request for you with joy. Being confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good work in you, will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ. Even as it is meet for us to think this of you all, because we have you in our heart. For, ye remember our labour, how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged, every one of you, as a father does his children; and we were with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling; and our exhortation was not of deceit, nor in guile; neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know; nor of men sought we glory, neither of you. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children; so being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but our own souls also, because ye were dear unto us.

Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the _children of God_. For you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein, in times past, ye walked according to the course of this world according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience; among whom _we all_ had our conversation in times past, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. For ye _were_ as sheep going astray, but now are returned unto the shepherd and bishop of your souls.

Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children, and walk worthy of the vocation whereby ye are called. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord; walk as children of the light. If then ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doth the will of God abideth for ever. And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even your faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? And Jesus saith, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me. If a man love me, he will keep my commandments, and my father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends—Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you.” If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. For every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him. And by this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments. For _this is the love of God_, that we _keep his commandments_. And we have known and believed the love which God hath towards us.—God is love, and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him. Know ye not that your bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God? And ye are not your own, but are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your bodies, and in your spirits, which are his.

_Search the scriptures_, for in them ye have eternal life. For the entrance of that word giveth light, and giveth understanding to the simple. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandments of the Lord are pure, enlightening the eyes; more to be desired are they than gold, yea than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and the honey comb. Let the word of God, therefore, _dwell_ in you _richly_, teaching and admonishing one another, in psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.

_Pray without ceasing_; in _every thing_, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

_But of the times and seasons_, ye need not that we write unto you, for ye know Him that hath said, “Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work, but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God.” Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it. And if thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, and from doing thy pleasure on my holy day, and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable, and shall honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words, then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord. Exhort one another daily while it is called to-day, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin; not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is.

_Be not conformed to the world_, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Love not the world, neither the things of the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. No man can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.—Ye cannot serve God and mammon.—Hear now what the Lord saith; “He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me; and whosoever doth not _bear his cross_ and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”

_Beloved, believe not every spirit_, but _try_ the spirits whether they be of God; for they are not all Israel, that are of Israel; for many walk, of whom we have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, who are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose glory is their shame, who mind earthly things. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that _doeth_ the will of my father which is in heaven.—Ye shall know them by their fruits.

In all things show yourselves a pattern of good works, that they of a contrary part may have no evil thing to say of you. Be not wise in your own conceits, for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. For the wisdom that cometh from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. Be kindly affectionate one to another, in honour preferring one another. Be not desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour which cometh from God only. Be content with such things as ye have, for godliness with contentment, is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out, and having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.

Let your _conversation_ be as becometh the gospel of Christ. Let no corrupt communications proceed out of your mouth; neither foolish talking nor jesting. Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment; for by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Speak evil of no man, let your speech be always with grace, that ye may know how to answer every man. Bear ye one another’s burdens; have compassion one of another, be pitiful, be courteous. Your adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of wearing gold, or of putting on of apparel, but let it be the hidden man of the heart; even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is, in the sight of God, of great price. And whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, think on these things.

Wherefore, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience, the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith, who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For ye have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way, for in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are. Trust in him at all times; pour out your heart before him; and he will be very gracious at the voice of your cry: when he shall hear it, he will answer. And he will feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom. And forget not the exhortation that speaketh unto you as unto children, “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, neither faint when thou art rebuked of him.” For whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. For our light afflictions, which are but for a moment, work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

For ye are not come to the mount which might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and a tempest; but ye are come unto mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. Having, therefore, these promises, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.