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to the Father, but by Jesus Christ;" and that it is for his sake alone, that we obtain spiritual blessings. 'Ask then in his name, and it shall be given; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

Let me finally urge upon you to read the word of God daily, and to treasure its sacred contents in your memory. Make yourself especially acquainted with such passagesa as set forth the origin", the nature, the extent, the guilt and condemnation of sin: which exhibit the wretchedness, the helplessness, and the ruin of man '; the goodness, forbearance, condescension,

a Consult the following passages. b Gen. iii. Rom. v. 12.

c Matth. xv. 19.

d Gen. vi. 5.

Rom. i. 21-32.

e

Eph. ii. 3.

Gal. v. 19—21.

Jer. xvii. 9. Ps. xiv. 1-3. iii. 9-19. v. 12-21.

Rom. i. 18. Gen. ii. 17. Mark xvi. 16. Gal. iii. 10. James ii. 10, 11.

f Gen. ii. 17-19. iv. 11-14. the whole of vii. and xix. Ps. ix. 17. xi. 9. Mark ix. 44, 46, 48. Matt. xxv. 41, 46. Rom. ii. 8, 9. Rev. xiv. 10. 11.

and mercy of the ever-blessed God; his boundless love in providing for our salvation, and giving his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life1. Familiarize yourself with the person, character, and offices of our Lord Jesus Christi. Think often and devoutly of his atoning sacrifice; of his resurrection from the dead'; of his session at the right hand of God"; and of his being made" head over all things for

g Gen. xviii.23-32.

Exod. xxxiv. 6,7. Isa. i. 18. lxvi. 2. Jer. xxxi. 18-20. Hos. xi. 8. xiii. 9. Matt. xxiii. 37. Luke xix. 41, 42.

Eph. ii. 4-7.

Rom. ii. 4.

h Isa. liii. Luke ii. 11. John iii. 14-17. Rom. iii. 24, 25. v. 7—10. viii. 32. 2 Cor. v. 18-21. viii. 9. Gal. iii. 13. 1 John iii. 1. iv. 8—10.

i Isa. ix. 6. John i. 1, 14. xx. 28. 6-11. Col. i. 15-19. 1 Tim. iii. 16.

1-9. 1 Tim. i. 15.

k See the passages referred to in Note h.

Phil. ii.

Heb. i.

1 John xx. 24-29. Acts xiii. 20--37. 1 Cor.

xv. 3-7, 12-21.

m Luke xxiv. 50, 51. Acts i. 9-11. iii. 22.

1 Pet.

the Church, which is his body;" presiding over principalities and powers, and exercising authority over heaven, earth, and hell". Above all, contemplate the freeness and fulness of his salvation; his love for his people; the provision he has made for their holiness and happiness; and the inheritance he has laid up for those, who, by" patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory, and honour, and immortality °.' Mark, with peculiar attention, such passages as set forth the operations of the Holy Spirit, in enlightening the understanding ; sanctifying the heart; comforting in sorrow; guiding in difficulty; and gradually rendering the Christian meet for the kingdom of heaven P. Suffer the mind to dwell with all the intenseness, which the magnitude of the subjects is capable of exciting, on those

Phil. ii. 9-11. Col. i. 15-20.

n John v. 22. Eph. i. 22. Rev. iii. 7.

• The passages already cited, and innumerable others.

P John xiv. 16, 17, 26. xv. 26. xvi. 7-14. 1 Cor. ii. 10-14. vi. 11. Eph. iv. 30.

passages which relate to death and judgment; heaven and hell; and these will render unspeakably interesting such portions of the sacred oracles as are adapted to prepare you for the last great conflict; and point out the way, in which you may secure the imperishable inheritance, and the incorruptible crown.

The three rules, then, which I entreat you particularly to attend to are-Separate yourself from a vain and sinful world. Be earnest and constant in prayer. Read the Holy Scriptures daily, and with the greatest attention. If y. attend to these three directions, I think your salvation will be sure if you disregard them,—I know not how you can be saved.

I would add, in conclusion, make the "excellent of the earth" your companions; and consult the wise and pious in all your spiritual difficulties.-Set out, and do it immediately, in the way to the kingdom of God. Never look back; but " press onward towards the mark, for the prize of your high calling of God in Christ Jesus :"

and soon shall you "receive a crown of glory, that fadeth not away." And should you, like my dearest child, be cut off in the midst of your days, in the bloom of beauty, and in the vigour of life; like her, you will be received into Abraham's bosom, and everlasting habitations: and your parents and friends, like those of my beloved daughter, will mourn indeed over your grave, with a grief that is lavish of its tears, and with yearnings of heart that are unutterable; but not with a sorrow that is destitute of hope; nor will they sink with dismay under the dreadful foreboding, that the separation will be eternal.