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eunuch and Cornelius, and many others, embraced the gospel; the loadstone had touched them, and they (like the needle) were powerfully and effectually drawn; and they became one with Jesus.

The graft is bound round with an external bandage; so there can be no state here in which outward means can be dispensed with. The Lord could do without them; but we are commanded to be in the constant use of them. The law of union within, may be, yea, will be, effectual, where it really takes place; but the outward obligations are enjoined and blessed by the Lord. The lawless professor must have a stock of self-wisdom, self-importance, and self-righteousness; but a sense of our extreme poverty will endear the all-sufficiency of him who is all in all.

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The real branch in the true vine is one with him in judg、 ment their views are alike; one in desire the same objects are fixed on: they are one in will-" Not my will, but thine be done," said Christ; and so says the Christian. Christ was truly, essentially, and habitually perfect in his judgment, desire, and will; but his followers are only so in part. They feel their deficiencies, and are humbled, that in all things they come short of his glory.

5. The immediate effect of union is communication,the imparting a divine influence. The root sends its sap through the body into all the branches, to every twig, bud, leaf, and blossom; it gives also flavour, richness, and perfection to the fruit. This vital union is the spring of our new estate, the winter being past, the buds are put forth; -they are holy and good desires, the longings of the soul after Christ and his salvation. "God will bless the springing thereof; the bud be will watch, guard, cherish, and bring forward; and its blossom shall appear in all the encouragement of a holy hope; aud, in due time, the fruits of faith, love, and obedience, in all their variety, will be found to the praise and glory of God. Then, like the wonderful rod of Moses, this fruitful bough will be ever budding, blooming, and bearing fruit; graces will be ever forming new buds, they will be bringing forward blossoms, and the blossoms shall not fail to give fruit in their season. "By their fruit ye shall know them." They bring forth the fruits of the Spirit; the fruits of righteousness; the fruits of holiness §. These scriptures ex

Isa. xlv. 3. God's blessing on our buds. See the old Bibles, It may apply as well to our graces as to our offspring.

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↑ James iii. 13.

Rom. vi. 22.

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press the universality of that devotedness to the will of God which is exemplified on the hearts, lips, and lives of those who are united to the living, life-giving, and true vine. "Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well, whose branches run over the wall."

COPY OF

A LETTER FROM THE LATE REV. JAMES HERVEY, TO MR. J. W, OF BIDDEFORD.

I

Dear Mr. W.

Weston, Feb. 2, 1746. BELIEVE I must answer your favour and Mrs. W.'s both under one; or, rather, answer yours, and acknowledge hers; so that this ticket may serve as a note under my hand, whereby I own the obligation, and make myself responsible.

Your spouse informed me, that you was concerned that the little money I left in your hands had not been remitted to me; but, dear Sir, I am glad on this account,— if it may be a means of cherishing one of the least of our Redeemer's brethren, I rejoice that it has not been returned.

You did right in delivering a guinea to Mrs. Williams, for the benefit of poor widow Cole. If Molly Lake, or Betty Peak, are in want, by all means let them be relieved. Tell them, I present them each with a crown; and be pleased to give it them in my name, assuring them that I give it with the utmost readiness; and bid them think, if a poor mortal, a wretched sinner, is so ready to help them according to his ability, how much more ready is the infinitely compassionate Saviour of the world to pity all their miseries, and comfort them in all their troubles! If poor dust and ashes has a heart to pity them, how inconceivably more willing is the Fountain of Love, the adorable Friend of sinners, to hear their prayers and fulfill all their desires! O! let them know, that the tenderest mercies of the most beneficent among the children of men, are little better than cruelty, if compared with the marvellous kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Were it in my power, I would willingly do more for them; but let them remember, that the power of the blessed Jesus knows no limits. What cannot he do for their souls? He is able to fulfill all their wants according to his riches in glory; he is able to do exceeding abundantly, even above all that they can ask or think; they cannot labour under so much guilt as he has of atoning merit; they cannot com plain of so much indigence as he has of justifying riches; You X 3 G

and,

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and, be their corruptions ever so strong, they are nothing, nothing to the effectual working of his mighty Spirit. O! it is impossible to imagine how rich our Divine Master is in goodness, and how mighty in power!

Therefore, if they want a more lively faith in his all-prevailing mediation, or more ardent love of his unspeakable goodness; if they want more abundant communications of his sanctifying spirit, or of all spiritual blessings, let them not cherish unworthy doubts concerning their gracious Redeemer. Do they belive me, when I make professions of kindness? and shall they not much rather believe the faithful and true Witness, when he says, "Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it;" when he says, "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, I will give it?" We are not straitened in the tenderness of Christ's boweis, nor in the power of his hand; O! let us not be straitened in our own scanty expectations and feeble faith.

Perhaps, my poor friends may feel themselves a little inclined to love the giver of such a mitc. If they should feel themselves so disposed, Olet them consider what rea son, what most abundant reason they have to adore and love their most merciful Redecmer! Their friend never shed his blood for them, their friend never laid down his life for them; but Jesus, who reigns in glory, did both for their sake. Had their friend been possessed of a thousand lives, and had he surrendered thenr all to do them good, then with what gratitude and love would they have. thought upon his name! but the life of the blessed Jesus was of more worth than all the lives of mortals; yet this was freely resigned, this was given to tortures and death for them! How then should they be lost in admiration of such goodness! how should their hearts glow with gratitude for such amazing loving-kindness!

Who knows but this little gift, if attended with due consideration, may be a means of shewing the tender compassions of their Saviour, of inclining them to rely more cheerfully on his all-sufficiency, and of stirring them up to love him more unfeignedly; and, if so, it will be a gift indeed!

The remainder of the money be pleased to deposit with Mr. W-, for the use of the poor widow Cole. My heart yearns over her, because she has known what it is to live in affluent circumstances, and, therefore, must be more sen sibly pinched with her present poverty: she is also at a distance from her kindred and friend's house, and, on that account, must feel more heaviness in her heart, and cannot

expect so much commiseration as if she were among her relations. My humble service to your spouse, friends, &c. Pray recommend me in the kindest manner to

all your

other neighbours that remember
their once unworthy pastor,

and

and their constantly affectionate friend,

J. HERVEY.

THE VISIT.

A FEW months ago I spent an afternoon with one of my

most intimate friends, who possesses a considerable estate, on which his habita ion is pleasantly situated. Cultivation and nature conspire to render his abode agreeable and beautiful. My friend is also an intelligent and a good man. He has read the works of our best writers, and has acquired an extensive knowledge of the world. He delights in studying the sciences and polite literature; but his supreme attention is directed to Christianity. While he aims at the accomplishments of the scholar, his greatest concern is to he a true christian and a useful man. His Eliza, like himself, is formed for all the pleasures of friendship and religion; is a bright ornament to the gospel, and a promising candidate for Heaven. Before tea, they indulged me with a walk in their garden. The weather being rather sultry, we seated ourselves in an arbour on the brink of a cooling stream. My friend's ingenious observations on the various topics which engaged our conversation, and their kind and christian deportment, fully proved that a refined taste and useful learning, accomplished manners and great piety, are not natural enemies.

But the conversation soon took a more pensive turn; and they began to relate an event which happened three weeks before the death of an only son, who died in the thirteenth year of his age. I knew him well, and sincerely loved him. Though a child in years, he was a man in knowledge and understanding. The Bibl was his favourite book, and the world was little in his view; sin was the object of his hatred, and God the centre of his joy. His virtues rose far above the common standard; and he was early and eminently prepared for the celestial state.

On all his friends he smil'd, and said "Farewell!”
Dropt a few parting tears, and soar'd to Heav'n.

"Ah!" said his father, "next to the wife of my bosom, I valued

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I valued that amiable boy. I fondly thought that he would be my comfort in the meridian of my life, and my support in my declining years; but how suddenly are my hopes and my expectations blasted! The pillar of my family is destroyed, and my first-born is on earth no more! "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom; would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!" I do not, however, rebel against my Maker. I feel my loss, and I submit to the will of God. He has a right to my child. From him I.received him; and now he has taken him back to himself in Heaven. I loved to see him frequent my study, and grace my parlour with his presence; but he is now in the house, not made with brands, eternal in the heavens." I was fond of seeing him walk in my garden, or sit in some shady arbour; but it is better for him to rove in the fields of Paradise, and to repose in the bowers of celestial pleasure. I cannot await his return to this vale of tears. Continue my child, continue with thy kindred spirits and thy God, till we come to Heaven, to see thee again, and to dwell with thee for ever!

Ta fair religion's kind and friendly soil

Was planted this sweet fragrant beauteous flow?.
Cheer'd with the dews from the celestial hills,
And gladden'd by the beams of heav'nly love,
It soon arriva to full and perfect bloom;

By Heaven transplanted to a happier clime."

I suggested consolation to my mourning friends: their distress was great, but they possessed fortitude and resignation. I told them of the shortness of time, and reminded them that they will soon see the dear youth again, and unite with him in situation, employment, and delight. Wishing them every personal and relative blessing, I left them, after having the most affecting and useful visit I have ever known. Vinborne.

FRO

THE DESIRE OF ALL NATIONS.

J. T.

ROM the time of the first promise, it was the desire of all nations to see God in human nature*. The heathen expected his incarnation. The Jews, warranted by prophecy, looked for it as an event in which, considering the wretched state of mankind and the voice of revelation, the goodness and faithfulness of God were deeply con

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