teousness like the houses of the great painted with vermilion, or the hypocrites in the times of Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Jer. xxii. 14.; Ezek. xxiii. 40), and in our Lord's day (Matt. vi. 16). Yet the Lord has threatened that his hand should be upon all such pleasant pictures (Isa. ii. 16), and that he would despise their image because it is not the image of Christ, which consists in righteousness, knowledge, and true holiness. The real likeness of God's sincere ones is likewise drawn by the same unerring hand. I bless God it is not left to the opinions of men, and should I attempt it, no doubt it would meet with severe criticisms from some, and mere cant from others; for a writer observes," Of all the cants which are canted in this canting world, the cant of hypocrisy is the worst." I have often been grieved in reading the lives of good men, written in such a strain as if they were truly perfect in thought, word, and deed; quite holy and unblameable in every thing. This is not the method the Holy Spirit has adopted in the word; the graces and the failings, the falls and renewings, the sighs and the songs of his people are well drawn by the pencil of truth. What they are in Adam the first, and what they are in Christ is clearly delineated. But with all the infirmities they possess, it is a mercy the Holy Spirit has made them truly sincere and this the Apostle prays for,-" That ye may be sincere and without offence in the day of Christ." And, under this divine influence, he rejoices that in all simplicity and godly sincerity he had his conversntion in the world; and hence that important exhortation of Joshua," Only fear the Lord in sincerity and truth." And the Apostle also exhorts the Lord's people to keep the gospel feast in sincerity, and to remember the Lord's poor, as a proof their love was sincere towards the Lord; to whom also he wishes much grace and peace, even to all them that love our Lord Jesus in sincerity. And as an ornament, yea, a principal qualification of an elder, he mentions, in doctrine shewing gravity (sincerity), and as new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that they may grow thereby : not only the word, but the milk of the word, that they may grow in knowledge, faith, and love. The word sincerity signifies uprightness and truth. Sincerity is opposed to double-mindedness, when the sentiments of the heart are contrary to the language of the mouth. The language of Balaam in blessing the Israelites was quite the reverse of his heart; he would most gladly have cursed them, for the wages of iniquity and like Joab, who took Abner aside to speak quietly to him, and smote him under the fifth rib that he died; and like Judas, with "Hail Master," and kissed him and betrayed him into the hands of his enemies. Bnt while this is the case with the hypocrite, God has blest his own children as they are regenerated, with sincerity of principle, sincerity of pursuit, and in their general deportment sincerity of action. This is the genuine work of the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, who is well acquainted with the persons of God's elect, who were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, and predestinated to the adoption of sons,-to know their sonship in this world, and to be publicly owned by their ever adorable Father before assembled worlds,eternally united to Christ as the great Head of the church, viewed in him complete; and, according to the wellordered covenant of grace, brought into a state of pardon, a state of peace and reconciliation, a state of justification and acceptance with God in Christ, by Christ, through Christ, and for Christ. The ever-adorable most holy God the Spirit graciously undertook to be their teacher, to take eternal possession of them, to be in them as a well of water springing up : : ner he well knows, nor will ever alter his opinion of himself. Many deluded ones may fancy their sinful nature is getting better, but while such rise in awful pride, the sincere believer sinks lower and lower in his own estimation, in proportion as his spiritual knowledge increases. Knowledge and humility are twins in the believer's mind, and those who are thus favoured can never be barren (Song iv. 2). In a state of nature, God's elect, in general, differ nothing from the greatest reprobate either in principle or conduct; they are enemies, ungodly, proud, boasters, haters, malicious, and slaves to Satan, the flesh, the world, and sin. Of this the Holy Spirit convinces them, of this they are ashamed, for this they feel condemned by the holy law of God, from this they are turned, and being convinced, they feel their need of a Saviour, a Surety, a better righteousness than their own; this makes them sincere in their pursuits. such as these the Lord speaks, "Hearken unto me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord." And, as they follow after righteousness, so they are said to follow holiness-to follow the Lamb, To who is both the righteousness and the holiness of his church,-end are made sincere by grace. In this pursuit they will not rest. To such as these the gospel invitation is given even the poor, who are convinced that they are not able to pay the demands of the law; halt, who through temptation, unbelief. and erroneous characters, waver in their minds about some of the great truths of God; lame and maimed, feel their own weakness, helplessness, wounded in spirit, nor can they get on in the divine life; blind, about their interest in Christ, for a season. Such are those who sincerely know themselves to be what God declares, have a right to all the precious privileges of the gospel: and it is such as these the Lord has pronounced blessed in his sermon on the mount in eight particulars; as the poor in spirit, emptied of all supposed goodness in themselves, mourning in mind on account of sin and abused goodness-meek, humble, docile, teachable, hungry and thirsty, which includes sensations of pain, desire, and pursuit-merciful to the souls, bodies, and names of others pure in heart, by receiving the atonement, and by the indwelling of the Spirit and the Word-peacemakers in the church-loving to those who belong to God-hating variance, strife, and pride, persecuted for righteousness-sake. for decidedness in the cause of Christ-though reviled, yet falsely, such have their reward in heavenly smiles now, and to all eternity in a better world. These are those who are sincere: chastened, tempted,tossed, dejected, broken in nature by the fall, and in heart by grace sorrowing on account of sin, and over a suffering Saviour. To those who are so sincerely tried the Saviour opened his commission in the synagogue, taking his sweet text from Isaiah, Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to The preach deliverance to captives, and the opening of the prison doors to those that are bound; to set at liberty those that are bruised, to comfort all that mourn." These are characters to whom Christ can only be precious; the whole in their own estimation need him not. "I came not to call such, but sinners to repentance :" that grace will flow sweetly, when love, mercy, and goodness is felt. This is the Holy Spirit's description of those that are sinners. He has condescended to exhibit their likeness that we may see our own. This is an act of stupendous condescension; and taking this scriptural view, we can bless the grace that has made us to differ from the pharisee and the hypocrite. "Oh, to grace how great a debtor, I remark once more, that the Lord's people are in scripture called believers, because they are blessed with the faith of God's elect. Here they are made sincere. Faith of the operation of the Spirit gives credit to what God says in his word, and is perfectly satisfied with his truth, with the record God has given of his Son. It is also a divine persuasion: the soul is persuaded of the love, grace, and faithfulness of God; it rests on what God says, and is seen in its actings, which we sometimes call exercises. It flies to Christ in danger, sin, trouble and threatenings; it leans upon Christ amidst all weakness and sore darkness; it trusts in the person and work of Christ for pardon, justification, and holiness, for comfort, knowledge, support, help and deliverance; it pleads with Christ upon the ground of his promises, and appears before God only in Christ. And this faith is the work of God upon the soul; it evidences a person's salvation, and sooner or later such persons shall most sensibly enjoy the smile of a covenant God, the light of his countenance, and the fullest persuasion of : "I will love thee, O Lord, my strength." I love the Lord. because he hath heard the voice of my supplication." She loved much, because much was forgiven." And here repentance flows as divine love is felt repentance is the tear of love dropping from the eye of faith and in these feelings how sweet is obedience, "We can run the way of his commandments, when his love enlarges the heart." But when it does not, then wait I say on the Lord, until power is felt again rising and falling, ebbing and flowing : running and waiting in the spirit of our minds is the road the Lord leads his people in a time state. And it is a mercy to know that the Lord has fulfilled that precious truth in us, "Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power;" for this evidences us to be his chosen people, according to his word, and we need no clearer testimony. Conscience can bear witness, when the Holy Spirit gives fresh light, that these things which I have written have been, and now are carrying on in the souls of those who are called by the grace of God; and surely he that hath begun the good work, will carry it on until it is consummated in glory. But this we know also, that a daily cross, dead weights, powerful besetting sins, heaviness and despondency, a temp ting devil, many cares and snares, losses and crosses, darkness, weakness, stupefaction, and reluctance to all that is good-stormy days and dismal nights must be the lot of all who are taught of God. The old man of sin and satan working upon it, will often cause the sad outcry of -Oh, wretched man that I am, for the good I would I do not, and the evil in thought word or deed I would not, that at times do I. Now unto him that is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." 66 Aspiring high, my spirit longs to rise, I sigh, 1 pant, dear Lord, to be with thee; W. C. present; I have a bad cold, but hope shortly to be fit to keep garrison, if not to take the field, and if not fit for either, am sure of a pension for life and eternity. My soul wept at the good news of my God to thee, who hath undeceived, unmasked, and uncased thy soul in time, that he might establish thee, adorn thee, and equip thee with that glorious attire and panoply which free grace hath provided for the poor and needy. 'Tis a satisfaction to my soul, that I love you all dearly in the bowels of Christ, and shall spend the uninterrupted and eternal enjoyment promised with you in heaven, when and where we shall see the lustre of a million suns, the fountain and quintessence of all uncreated beauty, who shall smile on us, burn in us, and shine through us for evermore. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. My soul is thankful, and blesses God for thy happy enlargement, but must tell thee that old lovers will long indulge a sneaking kindness, after the violent and inordinate lust is much abated. I shall see or hear of thy soul in the embraces of Moses again and again; and whenever anger rises within, UNPUBLISHED LETTERS OF THE LATE peevishness, fretfulness, murmuring, REV. W. HUNTINGTON TO A FRIEND. No. 3. To be continued. THY willing servant, brother in Christ, and companion in travail, is keeping silence, and sitting alone. Wet, sweat, and cold, Jast Tuesday evening, at Monkwell Street, the same again at Richmond on Wednesday evening, and Thursday at Uxbridge, has rendered me unfit for the field of action, and incapable of handling my arms; I have been thrown upon the baggage waggon, and am now an invalid engaged in looking out from the windows of the hospital, among the sick and wounded. The golden bell is now without a clapper, the charmer is mute, the dog is dumb, the golden pipes make no melody at February, 1840.] discontent, hardness of heart, barrenness of soul, reluctance to prayer, stubbornness, self-willedness, narrowness, and straitness of soul, hard thoughts of God; then think upon me; this is hngging Moses; the law worketh wrath, slavish fear, genders bondage, aud makes us bring forth fruit unto death. But Moses allows putting away by divorce; true, and blessed be God for that: but Jesus, the Lord God of Israel, hateth putting away, and bless his matchless name for that; for to be divorced from the beauty of Israel, would be eternal death by love-sickness. But the divine and heavenly Bridegroom is immutable, and stedfast for ever. He betroths in righteousness, lovingkindness, in mercies, in faithfulness, Ꮐ and for ever more; and cleave thou to him, thou daughter of the Lord God Almighty. Thou must present the humble and submissive gratitude and асknowledgment of thy servant to the peeresses who sat in judgment, when we asked counsel at Abel, and so concluded the matter; I mean Deborah, the mother in Israel; the wise woman of Tekoa; Huldah, the prophetess; and the mother of Samuel: and to all others of the august assembly who sat in judgment on the poor criminal who had not one friend present when the matter was concluded at midnight: but a bird of the air carried the voice, and that which hath wings declared the matter. But I must be partial, and therefore send my most cordial affection to those whose sympathetic souls induced to lenity, for authority and severity are a dreadful composition. My most cordial love to his excellency the Welsh ambassador, to Mr. Mrs. and to Mr. the old disciples with whom you lodge, and to all that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth. Pray for me that I may be restored the sooner, for they are flocking to my door every day to see what will become of Peter. God bless you all. W. HUNTINGTON. ON SANCTIFIED AFFLICTIONS. "I will go and return to my place till they acknowledge their offences and seek my face in their affliction they will seek me early."-Hosea v. 15. THIS language, though spoken primarily to the national Israel of old, is nevertheless addressed to God's spiritual elect people during the present dispensation: it still speaks to the backslider in heart, who is taking comfort and ease from present attainments, and not stretching out the hand towards God. And who is there amongst the Lord's little flock To the wanderer from the path of duty is this language addressed. They "that go after other gods shall have great trouble." And how exactly does every vessel of mercy have this fulfilled in his own experience. Sometimes sin within breaks out: Satan accuses, conscience speaks in a loud voice, the soul is smitten and stands condemned before God-the God of love, the faithful God, who has declared, "If my children forsake my law, and walk not in my statutes, then will I visit their offences with a rod, and their iniquity with stripes." God therefore hides his face, grief overwhelms, the guilty soul dare not look up, no creature comfort will suffice : O that it was with me as in months past, when the candle of the Lord shined upon me," is the feeling language of the heart. But the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake:" in the ap |