LETTER VIII. Of the promise of Divine assistance The assurance we have of the fulfilment of the promise Delusions of visionaries, no argument against a promise specifically declared-Means of obtaining the Divine assistance - Proper use to be made of all the events of life - Salutary tendency of innocent enjoyments - Resignation to the Divine will Benevolence Essential dis. tinction between the law of Moses and that of Christ The power of the latter in meliorating Examination of the special means of grace continued - Of baptism its first institution After our Saviour's death, attended with visible displays displays of Divine grace, in the sensible influ. ence of the Holy Spirit This shewn to be exactly conformable to the former evidences given to the prophets of the truth of the promises-Moral effects of baptism - the influ ence which it ought to have upon the charac- Of the Lord's Supper a memorial of our Saviour's death a pledge of immortality -the dispositions which it requires and cherishes changes the objects of hope from this world to the next Blesses the soul with an Reflections on the ter assurance of forgiveness happy tendency of this Divine ordinance - 186 LETTER X. Some situations in life more favourable than others to the cultivation of the Christian vir. tues Illustration - Pursuit of happiness-Di rected by our Saviour to the proper object – The distinctions of this world declared by him to be unfavourable to the attainment of immortal glory-Their tendency to cherish the affections which the Gospel teaches us to subdue Of the rich man's question concerning eternal eternal life- The pride of the human heart shewn to be fruitful in expedients - The rich exposed to all its snares Instances adduced in proof of the assertion - Illustrations 211 LETTER XI. Difficulty of proceeding on the subject, felt by the writer Faith in the fulfilment of every Gospel promise, an encouragement to lay aside all apprehensions in the discharge of dutyNature of the Gospel promises recapitulated Necessity of conforming to its precepts and acquiring its spirit- Pride the great obstacle to this - Pride in the great not liable to be checked by the intercourse with societySelf-importance increased by flattery — Religion offers a remedy for the evil — Selfishness allied to pride distinction between them Why selfishness is most openly displayed in the highest and lowest orders of society — Illustration Meanness often united to pridePicture of polished manners given by Lord Orford-Exhortations to sincerity - The advantages vantages of religious principle in increasing personal influence - An elevated situation to be converted into a means of promoting hap piness and virtue - The consequences of thus employing it Concluding address 240 LETTER LETTER I. My dear Lady Elizabeth, WHEN I recollect the earnest attention with which you have often listened to me, upon subjects of importance to your temporal and eternal welfare, and recollect the respect you seemed to have for my opinions, and the grateful sense you shewed of the affection which led me so anxiously to examine the nature of those which you embraced, I cannot but indulge a hope of your having bestowed serious VOL. II. B |