Teachings of the Spirit on Rom. xii, 1.

sonable service." Abiding views by which I have ever since been enabled to give a reason of the hope within me, were then imparted.

I saw that nothing less than the omnipotence of grace could have enabled me thus to present my whole being to God. That the power to do so was of itself a miracle. That while I was thus

empowered to present every faculty of soul and body a living, or, as Dr. Clarke says, a continual, sacrifice, it was an express declaration—a truth to be believed, and therefore not to be doubted without sin, that the blood of Jesus cleanseth the offering thus presented from all unrighteousness. This, I was given to see, was in verity placing all upon that altar which sanctifieth the gift. So long

as my heart assured me that I offered all, I saw it was not only my privilege, but my solemn duty, to believe that the blood of Jesus cleanseth, at the present and each succeeding moment, so long as the offering be presented. Thus I learned the imperative necessity of living by the moment. I learned, that in order to maintain a constant witness of present purification, the sacrifice to God must be ceaselessly made. Should I discontinue the entire abandonment of every power and faculty to God, by shrinking from some duty because the flesh is not willing, it would be at the forfeiture of a state of holiness.

A direct path, marked with light, hath from this

The Path.

The Seal.

Usefulness.

period been before me. I see the inevitable consequence of turning either to the right hand or to the left. I realize that holiness to the Lord consists in being set apart for his service-not doing my own will, or leaning to my own understanding. But, in acting upon these principles, I am wholly the Lord's: not an hour of my future existence is at my own disposal: I have willed myself over to God, and made an absolute surrender of time, talents, and influence, to his reasonable service: by the power of his Spirit he hath enstamped the seal, which proclaims me his: henceforth it is not for me to confer with flesh and blood; the warfare upon which I have entered is not at my own charge: God requires that I should be holy, in order that I may be more useful, and consequently more happy.

In my next I will endeavor to tell you something more of my establishment in these blessed principles. In the mean time, praying that you and I, with all the household of God, may be rooted, grounded, and built up, in our most holy faith. I remain,

Yours, in the love and faith of the gospel.

Advantages of Personal Holiness.

No. XIV. TO MRS. W.

Heaven begun below-Holiness the believer's strength-"If I get it I cannot keep it"-Remark of Dr. B― Mysticism-Consecration a simple act-Holiness maintained by constant faith-The Scrip. tures a medium of communion with God-The way of the crossA new existence-The command, "Be ye holy"-Effect on the world of universal holiness in the church.

Dear Mrs. W—. You will remember the promise in my last, relative to the continuance of my narrative. Through grace I can say my heart is daily becoming more rooted and grounded in those blessed truths. My experience continually attests the truth of the assertion, that the life of the believer is a heaven below. The divine tranquillity; the deepened communion with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and the accompanying increase of love, faith, light, and humility; make it such: while the quickened power of perception in discerning the subtilty of the tempter, together with the increased power it gives in contending with him, make this state not only the high privilege, but the imperious necessity, of the believer. Can a reasonable, holy, acceptable service, be rendered without it?

A present and full salvation would not have been made available unless it were needed, in order to glorify God. Yet, my dear Mrs. W

we

need the experience of this salvation in order to know its excellency-its entire adaptation to every

Holiness will keep you.

Mysticism.

want. O the fallacy of the observation, "If I get the blessing I am sure I shall never be able to keep it!" It is precisely what is needed in order to produce that stability of soul which renders us less liable to vacillate in our Christian course; or, in the language of an eminent minister now livingin answer to the objection of a trembling heart, "I fear I could not keep it"-"Brother, nothing but holiness will keep you."

that there

Do you not think, dear Mrs. Wis too much mysticism thrown around this blessing? I have thought so, and this I believe to be the principal hinderance with many whom I approach on this subject. With the eye of carnal wisdom they seem to be looking at something quite beyond their present reach. Thus they overlook its simplicity. Now, for a soul all athirst for God, what is more easy than to come with a purpose fixed in the strength of the Lord Jehovah, to be his-irrevocably his-whether living or dying: and then, relying on eternal veracity for the acceptance of the gift, to leave there the offering upon the altar? Is not this being set apart for God? And, in its immediate effect, is it not the sanctification which God demands ?* The strength required in bringing the offering to the altar is wholly of God; and would he impart the power to do it, without fulfilling his gracious design in, inducing the sacrifice?

"The altar sanctifieth the gift." Matt. xxiii, 19.

Cleansed.

Kept.

The Scripture.

No! If God-dishonoring unbelief does not bind the hands of Omnipotence, a mighty work will at once be accomplished.

But the declaration must be believed: "The blood of Jesus cleanseth." Mark! it is in the present tense. It is a living sacrifice that is required. I now, this moment, offer the sacrifice, and it is cleansed-I continue in the same act, the succeeding moment, and continue to feel that the blood of Jesus cleanseth. To the soul that thus continues to live in the spirit of sacrifice the veracity of the immutable Jehovah is pledged. It is thus that the blessing is obtained, and also retained, by faith in the sufficiency of the atonement, and a firm reliance on the indubitable wORD OF GOD.

With most grateful reflections do I look back upon the way by which I have been brought in reference to the Scriptures. Blessed be the Lord Jehovah for this chart, by which my way has been so luminously marked out! Would that I could convey to your mind an idea of my hallowing, delightful communings with the God of all grace, through this precious medium, while by most unequivocal assurances he has made himself known to me, and I have joyously exclaimed, "It is the Lord!"

I shall also ever with most grateful emotions retrace the way of the cross. In reference to some of its most painful peculiarities, I have been led to