ruptible and unfading inheritance reserved in heaven for those who "are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation."

M. There are some passages that seem to favour the idea, that happiness shall be enjoyed as the reward of doing good. It may be useful to make a few remarks on them. Such as, "In keeping his commandments there is a great reward." "Whosoever giveth a cup of cold water to a disciple, shall in no wise lose his reward." "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life," &c.

F. We have already heard, that eternal life is the gift of God. Now it cannot both be bestowed upon us as a gift, and at the same time purchased by us. We read, indeed, of rewards; but they must just be rewards of grace or favour: something like a father showing kindness to a son for honouring him; or a master rewarding his servant for his honesty and fidelity. In both cases, nothing is done but what is their duty to do; and mere duty can have no claim for rewards. It is the same in regard to believers doing the will of God. It is duty to love God, and keep his commandments, and he is pleased to connect present comfort and peace with it. It is our duty to relieve a fellow creature in distress; and if it be done to one of Christ's disciples from love to Christ, the Lord considers it done to him.

self, and will notice the kindness with approbation. It is said, that "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord," and that "their works do follow them." Their union to the Lord Jesus procures this blessedness, and their works follow as evidences of their faith and love. They are blessed that do his commandments. These include every duty of faith in Christ, and love to his name, as well as external obedience; and such persons have right given them to become the sons of God, and shall be treated as "heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ."

M. Will you give a summary of what has been said in this conversation?

F. The whole world lies under the wicked one, and through his influence all "have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." But the Lord Jesus in his love has suffered for sins, "the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God." A free and full pardon is offered to every one that repents and believes in him.

In doing so, they are justified from all things, and have peace with God; become his beloved children; manifest their love and gratitude by doing his will; and shall, in union with the Lord Jesus, be for ever happy in the presence of God.

Let me just remark to you, that if we enter into heaven, it will not be because of our connexion with a nation to whom the Gospel is

preached; nor yet because we may be in union with a society of professed Christians, nor yet for our connexion with Christian relations. We must each of us come to the Lord Jesus for himself. The godliness of some will do nothing for others that have no faith. The trust which your Mother and I have in Christ will not save you. We can

instruct you, and pray for you, and I hope shall never cease to do it; but we earnestly intreat you to believe in the Lord Jesus that you may be saved. You are sinners like others, exposed to everlasting misery, and no one can save you but this almighty Saviour, and he is as willing as he is able to save you. He even

will delight in saving you; for he says, "I love them that love me, and they that seek me early shall find me." And oh! that He would grant each of you his Holy Spirit, to guide you into all truth; that believing in Jesus, you may "rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory."

CONVERSATION VIII.

ON THE NECESSITY OF DIVINE INFLUENCE.

E. In concluding your affectionate address to us, Father, you expressed your earnest desire that God would grant unto us his Holy Spirit to guide us into truth. What are we to understand by the Holy Spirit?

M. Your Father, in one of our conversations, informed you that there are three divine persons in the godhead.

You have already manifested in the

heard that He who was flesh, is the second person. The Holy Spirit is the third, possessed of the same glorious perfections, and entitled to the same love, worship, and confidence, with the Father and the Son.

F. In the course of my reading I have found it asserted, that by the Holy Spirit was to be understood nothing more than the attribute of divine power; but I shall mention a passage or two, in which we shall find that the Holy Spirit is distinctly spoken of as a divine person, doing all things according to his own will. The first passage is in Acts v. 3: "Peter said to Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost?" At the conclusion of the fourth verse he said, "thou hast not lied to men, but unto God." In the ninth verse, He is called "the Spirit

of the Lord." We are told in the second epistle to Timothy, that all "Scripture is given by inspiration of God." And we are

informed by Peter, in his second epistle, that "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." So you see from these passages, that to lie to the Holy Ghost, is to lie to God; and that it is the Holy Spirit, who is God, that inspired men to write the sacred scriptures. I may add, that the titles, attributes, and actions of the eternal God are all ascribed to the Holy Spirit, as they are given to the Father and to the Son.

E. And can we only be guided unto truth by him?

F. You may, my dear, read the Scriptures and commit them to memory, and be able to distinguish the truth of God from the errors of the wicked; but to discern the excellency and glory of the Lord Jesus, to rely upon him for salvation, to love his person, imbibe and cherish his holy disposition, imitate his example, and delight in doing his will, are all the effects of the operations of the Holy Spirit upon the hearts and minds of those who are the objects of divine love. "He sanctifies the soul, brings it out of darkness into marvellous light; improves it in holiness; conducts it through the temptations and dangers of this life; furnishes it with every gift and grace; prompts it to all virtue and excellence, and fills it with all spiritual enjoyment. For this great work

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