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most accomplished Perfon. Neither can there be a Wish, more suitable to the Obligations or the Dictates of a grateful Heart, than that You may experience what You read, and be what You patronize.

DID Religion confist in a formal Round of external Obfervances, or a forced Submiffion to fome rigorous Aufterities, I fhould not fcruple to join with the Infidel and the Sensualist, to dread it in one View, and despise it in another. You need not be informed, MADAM, that it is as much fuperior to all fuch low and forbidding Singularities, as the Heavens are higher than the Earth. It is defcribed by an Author, who learnt its Theory in the Regions of Paradise, and who difplayed its Efficacy in his own most exemplary Conversation.-It is thus described by that incomparable Author; The Kingdom of God, is not Meat and Drink, but Righteousness, and Peace, and Joy in the HOLY GHOST.

To be reconciled to the Omnipotent GOD -To be interested in the unfearchable Riches of CHRIST-To be renewed in our Hearts, and influenced in our Lives, by the fanctifying Operations of the Divine SPIRIT-This

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is evangelical Righteousness. This is genuine Religion. This, MADAM, is the Kingdom of GOD established in the Soul.-How benign and inviting is fuch an Inftitution! How honourable and advantageous fuch a State! And from fuch Privileges, what other Effects can flow, but that Peace, which paffeth all UnderStanding? That Joy, which is unspeakable and glorious?

Is there any Thing in the Amusements of the Gay and Pursuits of the Ambitious, of greater, of equal, of comparable Value? Is not all that Wealth can purchase, all that Grandeur can bestow, fomewhat like those glittering Bubbles, which when viewed are Emptiness, when grasped are Nothing? Whereas, the Comforts, the Benefits, the Hopes of Chriftianity, are at once fupremely excellent, and infinitely durable. A Portion, fuited to the Dignity of a rational Soul; large as its Faculties, and immortal as its Being.

ALL thefe Bleffings are centered in CHRIST; were purchased by CHRIST; are communicated from CHRIST.—It is for want of know

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ing those boundless and everlasting Treasures of pardoning, juftifying, faving Merit, which the LORD JESUS CHRIST poffeffes, and which He freely dispenses even to Sinners, that so many unthinking Persons are attached to ignoble Objects, and beguiled by delufory Pleafures. Unhappy Creatures! What can they do, but catch at Shadows, and stoop to Trifles, while they are ignorant of the grand, the subftantial, the exalted Good?-It is for want of duly attending to that Fulness of Grace, and that plenteousness of Redemption, which dwell in our most adorable SAVIOUR, that so many ferious Perfons are Strangers to the Tranquility and Sweetness of Religion: are subject to all its Restraints, but enjoy few, if any, of its Delights. Miftaken Zealots! How can they avoid the gloomy Situation and the uncomfortable Circumstance, fo long as they withdraw themselves from the SUN OF RIGHTEOUS NESS and his all-chearing Beams?

MAY your LADYSHIP live continually under his heavenly Light and healing Wings! Be more fully affured of his dying Love, and have brighter, ftill brighter Manifestations of

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his immenfe Perfections! By thefe delightful Views, and by that precious Faith, may your Heart be transformed into his holy, his amiable, his divine Image! Your Happiness will then be juft fuch as is wished, but far greater than can be expreffed by,

MADAM,

Wefton-Favell,

Jan. 6. 1755.

Your moft obliged, and

Moft obedient humble Servant,

JAMES HERVEY.

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