cusation is often a wilful calumny: but the holy lives of those who embrace and profess those doctrines is the best, and in fact the only effectual, confutation of this slander.-If then the advantages and consequences of growth in grace be so important, and the nature of it so evident, little need be said, concerning the way in which we ought to seek so great and desirable a blessing. The motives and encouragements of the gospel are abundantly sufficient, to animate those who duly attend to them; we have. free access to the throne of 66 grace; exceedingly great and precious promises" to plead with our merciful God and Father; and an inexhaustible fulness from which to draw all things "pertaining to life and godliness." We are directed and commanded to ask and receive, that our joy may be full:" God hath appointed various means, which he hath engaged to render effectual to all those who diligently attend on them in humble faith; and every person may soon learn for himself, if he duly watch and keep his own heart, what employments or companions prove helps or hindrances to his soul, in this grand concern. Could we therefore succeed in convincing professed Christians, that it is possible, even in this world, to arrive at degrees of spirituality, fruitfulness, and stability, far beyond what is commonly attained; that it is their bounden duty to press forward-forgetting the things which are behind, and reaching forward to the things which are before;" that they have great cause for deep humiliation, on account of their unfruitfulness in times past; and yet ought not to be discouraged from expecting more effectual help in their future endeavours: if, I say, men could be thus induced, heartily to set themselves to seek and pray for more abundant growth in grace, as the most important and desirable of all blessings, there can be no doubt, but they would make greater progress than they generally do. Yet Christians would not on that account become better satisfied with themselves, or their attainments. Perhaps, through self-acquaintance, tenderness of conscience, and deep humility, they might not be sensible of making any advances in grace: and assuredly they would more and more hunger and thirst after righteousness, till they come to the fountain above, when they shall drink, and thirst no more for ever. But to such persons the words of the apostle are peculiarly suitable and encouraging. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that labour is not in vain in the Lord.". your "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make us perfect in every good work to do his will, working in us that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." THE DOCTRINES OF ELECTION AND FINAL PERSEVERANCE, STATED FROM SCRIPTURE, AND SHOWN CONSISTENT WITH EXHORTATORY AND |