now calling you to look unto him and be saved: Is. xlv. 22. Every one of them that are saved was as far from salvation once as you can be now. But it began with a SERIOUS THOUGHT; such as, "What am I about?-What shall I do in the end thereof?-How shall I meet death?How shall I stand in judgment?-How shall I endure the sentence, Go ye cursed into everlasting fire?" This went on to a HOLY DESIRE; such as, wretched man! who shall deliver me? Oh that I could return to that God whom I have offendedOh that I might have his favour!" It then proceeded to a SECRET PRAYER; such as, God be merciful to me a sinner-Teach me thy way, O Lord! And all the rest, which you have heard of, followed in them as a fruitful tree rises up from a little seed, or as a Church begins with a single stone. The man, that looks to Heaven for help, should despair of nothing. The battle then is not ours, but God's: 2 Chron. xx. 15. being confident of this very thing, that he, which hath begun a good work, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Phil. i. 6. Go forth then, Soldier, in the strength of the Lord, and in the power of his might; and you shall join those conquerors who are now singing an eternal song of Victory. In the mean time I will leave you a verse or two of the CXLIVth Psalm; and may God the Holy Spirit enable you to sing it with grace in your heart! FOR ever blessed be the Lord, When Sin and Hell their force unite, A FRIEND and Helper so divine, REASONS FOR REPOSE, ADDRESSED TO A CHRISTIAN SUBJECT TO TEMPORARY ALARMS RESPECTING THE TRUTH OF THE SCRIPTURES. Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh yon a reason of the hope that ADVERTISEMENT. THE Lady, for whose private use this Letter was written, feels desirous that the relief, which it is calculated to afford, may not be confined to herself. She has therefore prevailed with the Friend from whom she received it, to allow her to publish it for the benefit of others. REASONS FOR REPOSE. DEAR MADAM: Feb. 18, 1804. I SUSPECT that much of the depression which you mentioned to me lately proceeds from the present relaxing season. You are nervous; and have been of late much confined to your house. Solitude, also, as well as society, has its peculiar temptations. Probably Mr. professionally engaged with his wonted energy, would smile at the apprehensions which disturb his wife, though he feels equally interested in the subject before us. But, certainly, there is something more than nerves and seasons to be considered, with respect to the minds of pious persons occasionally harassed with infidel objections. I spoke, indeed, only what occurred at the moment, in reply to your difficulty: yet, as you tell me that you received benefit from my observations, and now wish for the substance on paper, I will endeavour to recollect what I then said. |