If chosen of divine grace—will it not constrain him to ascribe the glory of his election, calling, faith, justification, adoption, holiness, perseverance, and felicity,—to the God of all grace? Is not this the very spirit which the Lord requires, delights in, and will honor? Feeling his weakness and insufficiency, will it not also lead the person to seek after daily supplies of supporting, comforting, strengthening, directing, and preserving grace? saying unto him, "My grace is sufficient for thee?" 2 Cor. xii. 9. If chosen according to the eternal purpose of love, will it not excite him to admire the divine love? and seek to know more of the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, of this love of God which passeth understanding, that he may be filled with all the fulness of God? Will it not also lead him to admire the infinite wisdom displayed in devising such a plan? and rejoice to see all the divine perfections engaged for the preservation and salvation of himself and the church? Is not the belief of this doctrine, when applied by the powerful influence of the Holy Spirit, calculated to produce the full assurance of hope, with a joy unspeakable, and full of glory?

Will he not hear the Saviour

Can you, then, wish that the faithful minister would shun to declare this important part of the counsel of God?

9. Are you a Believer in Jesus Christ, and do not believe and enjoy this Truth?

Many of the elect of God do not know and enjoy the privilege of their being chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, &c. But it would add very much to their comfort, peace, joy, hope, confidence, stability, and thankfulness, if they knew and enjoyed this peculiar privilege. It would bring them into more intimate communion with God; influence them to walk more closely, humbly, and carefully with him; brighten their prospects for heaven, and make them always ready to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

Since every truly pious holy believer in Christ is undoubtedly interested in this most consolatory truth, permit me to request your serious attention to the following cautions and directions.

Take heed of all prejudice and misrepresentations. This doctrine has been extremely misrepresented, and hereby prejudices have been excited in the minds of pious persons, which are altogether unjust and unfounded. Christ himself was very much misrepresented, and hereby the most awful prejudices were excited against his person and work. But those who had right

views of the Saviour, pronounced him to be most

precious, and altogether lovely: so will all those pronounce concerning this doctrine, who have right views of its origin, tendency, and effects.

Take heed of unjust and unscriptural inferences-What can be more unjust, unscriptural, and awful, than to infer from this doctrine of divine love, the reprobation of sinners in a way prejudicial to the justice of God, and even so as to represent him as acting like a tyrant! It is amazing that even a thought of the kind should be indulged by rational men! Since Election proceeds from a purpose of love and mercy, and nothing but love and mercy as the spring; it appears, that if we were to draw any inferences from it respecting mankind in general, we should be led to conclude, that as far as it is consistent with the infinite wisdom, holiness, justice, and faithfulness of God, in governing the world, he would be "good to all, and his tender mercies would be over all his works." Ps. cxlv. 9. But, to infer injustice and tyranny from a purpose of love and mercy, is too absurd to be credited for a moment, unless by a mind entirely blinded by prejudice.

Again, take heed of incautious and harsh expressions of those who profess to favor the doctrine. This has been a stumbling-block to many pious persons, and prevented them from

receiving and enjoying the doctrine, as contained in the scripture. Remember, these assertions, and the books which have been written in refutation of them, cannot furnish the slightest objection against the doctrine itself.

Beware of despising, or hastily rejecting, this part of the word of God. Too many of the of the people of God, I am afraid, have acted in this manner, and have been deprived of its comfort through life, as a punishment for their rashness, self-conceitedness, and want of reverence for the sacred scriptures. Have patience Suspend your judgment. Wait upon God; he may yet reveal this precious truth to your soul, for your greater support and consolation. Mr. Scott was for some time very averse to this doctrine; but was afterward, not only convinced of its truth, but of its importance in the gospel system. See Scott's Force of Truth.

There is a great variety in the experience of God's people. Saints under the Old Testament had not, in general, so clear a light as we have under the New Testament. What appeared dark and intricate to them, appears very clear and plain to us. Yet we know but in part. The saints, in future ages, will see many things in a much clearer, brighter light, and in a more satisfactory manner, than we do at present. When

the spirit is poured out most abundantly, they will see truths as clear as the day, which have appeared dark and beclouded to us. How will they behold this doctrine with delight,—and be amazed at the controversies, which have taken place respecting it, in former ages of the church!

I would entreat you, my dear reader, meekly and humbly to meditate on the sacred scriptures, with prayer to him, who alone can enable you rightly to understand them. Seek and wait for the influence of the Holy Spirit: for the experimental knowledge of this privilege entirely depends upon his influence. The Spirit can enlighten, convince, and operate upon the mind and heart, in such a clear, sweet, powerful, and efficacious manner, as to remove all doubt and anxiety, and give the person the most satisfactory evidence of the truth of God. You believe in the divine person, the atoning blood, and justifying righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Though a hundred objections should be brought against these truths, yet you still believe them and hold them fast, because you are convinced that they are revealed in scripture, and you have felt the power of them upon the heart. So the Holy Spirit can and does reveal the doctrine of Election, with its purifying and consolatry effects; and all that you can object, will have no