I fear he is not a strictly moral man, and has frequently been overtaken with excess in drinking.

Though I did not like to say much to him on the subject, yet it has claimed some thought since, and several Scripture expressions have been brought to my remembrance. I have considered that although it is said: "There is therefore now no condemnation to those that

a

are in Christ Jesus;" yet this is not without a definition or limitation, to enable us to judge whether we are so in Him; for it is added, "who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." And, oh! may none rest satisfied, or make themselves easy, supposing that they have already attained to this state, without being convinced, by bringing their deeds to the true light, whether they are so walking." If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die; but if ye, through the Spirit, do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Here is a touch-stone! "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirits, that we are the children of God, and if chil

a Rom. viii. 1.

dren, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ;" but mind again the terms, "if so be that ye suffer with him, that we may be glorified together,"

The Apostle had previously laid down his ideas of the state of purity into which those were introduced, who had attained to this state of perfection, which we as a people fully allow to be possible; but which it is to be feared many flatter themselves to have attained, who do not sufficiently prove themselves by the true marks: "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptised into Jesus Christ, were baptised into his death? therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead, even so we also should walk in newness of life;" a "knowing this that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." "Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness; and the end everlasting life." "Hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith I know

a Rom. vi. 3-18-22, 1 John ii. 3, &c.

him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also to walk even as he walked."

verse.

See also the 3d chapter from 1st to 10th "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not; whosoever sinneth hath not seen him; neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you ;" let no man persuade you to take up a rest, short of the true rest; to satisfy yourselves short of that perfection to which ye are called. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your father who is in heaven is perfect, MAT. v. 48. "Little children, let no man deceive you; he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil. Whosoever is born of God, doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil; whosoever doeth not righteousness, is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. We know that whosoever is born of God, sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God, keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.'

a 1 John iii. 7, &c.

9th Mo. 10th. First day. I sat down in meeting this morning, with my mind seriously impressed, and was favoured to maintain the watch more than at some other times. It has sometimes appeared to me in meetings as if the presence of the Lord filled the house, or indeed might strictly be said to "fill all space;" but in order to our partaking thereof, or being filled therewith, we must first be emptied of every thing else. A number of scripture expressions were brought to my recollection, or seemed to flow through my mind; and I thought 1 could, with some degree of truth, apply them to myself: "My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my "For a flesh crieth out for the living God." day in thy court is better than a thousand” [elsewhere.] "I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness."

When favoured with the feeling of the fatherly kindness and regard of our Almighty helper, how is the poor soul enabled to repose itself thereon, and to exclaim as David did, when sorely tried with outward conflicts and opposition: "Why boasteth thou thyself in mischief,

a Ps. lxxxiv. 2-10.

O mighty man! the goodness of God endureth continually."

In

Surely nothing in this world is to be compared, in any degree, to the self-abasing, yet soul-enlivening feeling, of the tender notice and regard of the Great Shepherd of Israel. How does it delight and overcome the poor soul with ecstacy, as described by one formerly in the language of the spouse: "I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him that I am sick of love.” this state, however desirable the sensible feeling of the presence of the Beloved of Souls is to us, yet it is feelingly experienced that his time is not always; and a desire is begotten and maintained, patiently to keep on the watch and wait for His time, which is always the best time: "I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem! by the roes and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.' Whilst I write these remarks, tenderness covers my mind; and a desire is raised that I may never be induced to deck myself with the Lord's jewels, or ascribe any thing to myself as a creature. "Not unto us, O Lord! not unto us, but unto thy name give glory; for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake." a

Ps. lii 1. b Cant. v. 8. • Cant. ii. 7.

d Ps. cxv. 1.