are only partial. We must, in all things, aim to "be perfect, even as "he is perfect."

Conscious as we are of our own weakness, this seems to us a hard saying, and we are willing to fly to any subterfuge by which we can elude its strictness. Let us, however, not give way to despair. God does not require above what we are able to perform; nor does he leave us without assistance. As he spake by his servant Moses, so he still speaks to those who have turned their faces to go towards the promised land. "Be

strong, and of a good courage; fear "not, nor be afraid, for the LORD

thy God it is he that doth go with "thee; he will not fail thee nor for"sake thee."

The nature of that assistance which is afforded by the institutions of the Gospel,

1

Gospel, shall form the subject of my next epistle. My strength and spirits are at present too much exhausted to proceed.

Adieu !

Feb. 18, 1806.

LETTER VIII.

I HAVE no doubt that you, my dear and amiable pupil, will find the part of the subject upon which we are now about to enter extremely interesting. It indeed comes home to every heart; since we may assure ourselves, that the assistance which God has offered will, if accepted, prove effectual in promoting our eternal happiness, and that it cannot be rejected without endangering our own souls.

The

The assistance of God's holy spirit is so explicitly declared in every page of the Gospel as one of the blessings purchased for us by our Saviour's death, that it has been established as a leading doctrine of the Christian faith. By persons of warm imagination and weak judgment it has indeed been misrepresented and misunderstood; but the truths of Scripture are not to be brought into question because they have been perverted by the fancies of visionaries and enthusiasts. If we have any faith in the promises made by Jesus Christ, we must believe that this assistance. from God will be given to all who piously and sincerely use the appointed means, and for the appointed purposes.

The purposes for which it is appointed, are, in different passages of Scripture, particularly specified. They

are

are these. To increase our faith, to rectify our wills, to elevate our affections, and to purify our hearts. The fruits of the Spirit are declared to be "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gen"tleness, goodness, faith, meekness, "temperance." These are the virtues which were exemplified in Him who "had not the spirit given by mea"sure unto him." They are the vir tues which he requires; but not the virtues which without the aid of divine grace are practicable.

Each and all of those I have enumerated are opposed by the pride of the human heart. They are likewise opposed by selfishness: and to overcome both pride and selfishness, is a task which we cannot of ourselves perform. We must, however, do our part; and the first step towards it, is to be sensible of our own weakness. If we are truly sensible that we stand

in