difficulties about the Gospel great and manifold, for they do not see it, as it really is, in Jesus. And the experience of all ages accredits our belief, that these difficulties are more severely felt, the more powerful and acute is the natural understanding of him who is oppressed by them. These are the very diffi

culties of that scheme of salvation, whereof its Author declared that it should be foolishness to those most gifted with earthly wisdom.

When we are striving in vain to understand any text at any time, let us try the effect of a stricter enquiry into our conduct at that time. Ithuriel's spear may startle Satan from his post, and strip him of his borrowed shape, though it were that of an angel of light.

Any such consideration of any truth as may tend to our advancement in holiness, must be the work of the Holy Spirit: for as Christ died for all, all must have been dead. Whatever life is in us, is in us by faith in Him, and in His Spirit each Christian lives, and moves, and has his being. If any principle of heavenly life remained in us, such as could have

opened, and ripened, and brought forth wholesome and abundant fruit, without the light and heat of the Holy Spirit, without the blessing of God on its increase, why have we received so many and such earnest and solemn warnings against "the old man" and "the wisdom of the flesh," and against "living unto ourselves,” and “ obeying the devices and desires of our own hearts?" In all, therefore, that we do, day by day, we serve the Lord or serve Satan, we live to heaven or to hell, we obey our Saviour or rebel against Him, and pervert the talents, which are His, to a gain, of which an account is not taken in His favour.

It is not requisite here to say more about this great division of the Christian world into two classes. It will be allowed by those who read their Bibles, that a man cannot wittingly serve God and Mammon at the same time. If the interests of two masters were compatible, the service would in effect be the same to each, and not rendered to two. Now we may die at any hour, and we are not authorized by the Scriptures to conclude that our previous service of

PREFACE.

THE publication of this little volume can hardly require an apology. Most of what is here said may be found in Bp. Wilson's maxims, and the rest in other books: there is not any thing new in substance on any of these pages, but there is something new in the fashion and form of them, which may render them useful, where a better book might have been rejected. The following remarks are submitted to each reader, as hints to be followed up for himself.

In the present state of the world, it does not appear to be what is commonly called belief that is so much wanted, as Christian love, and a continual sense of the obligations consequent upon that love. There is a belief which exists almost without hope, and without an adequate sense of the value of immortal souls-a belief that has little to do with Chris

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tianity. We are told that devils believe and tremble but it is our privilege to believe, and with our faith to cherish hope and charity: to which end, Christ crucified is evidently set before us. The doctrine, as distinct from the fact, of the Atonement has been well shewn to be full of mercy. The Saviour might have died for us, and we not have known it; and then we could not have felt His constraining love, the thrilling sweetness of His call. Love is the fulfilling of the law; love to God and man the secret strength of Christianity. The greatest sinners may repent and bring forth. fruits meet for repentance, and be

with that free Spirit blessed Which to the contrite can dispense The princely heart of innocence.

If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is ever at the right hand of God, who also