Surely, when we contemplate the character of the Friend of sinners-when we listen to him as, from his cross, he beseeches us to abandon sin, as the ruin of our happiness-when we hear him entreating us to consider his many and complicated woes, and learn from them the evil and the tremendous consequences of transgression-when we turn to his glory, and see the source of his present blessedness-when we hear the applauding voice of his Father, and then hearken to his gracious invitations and earnest entreaties to come and freely partake of the blessings of salvation; we must feel impelled by an influence, at once sweet and commanding, to forsake all and follow him.

May your mind ever be imbued with the high and hallowed principles of the Saviour, and ever feel their elevating and purifying influence.

I remain, &c.

LETTER IX.

ON THE PERSEVERANCE OF CHRISTIANS.

The perseverance of believers, a doctrine of Scripture-The abuse of the doctrine noticed-The design, and the proper use of it-Unscriptural views that have been taken of it-Is illustrated by what happened on Paul's voyage to Rome-The nature of filial fear, as connected with it-The danger of presumption-The use of Scripture examples of declension-The connection in which the doctrine is taught in Scripture-Perseverance, not simply the connection of two distinct things, but a continuance in a particular course-The necessity of connecting the means, and the end exemplified by the Apostles-Conclusion.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

66

I RECEIVED your letter; and shall now, agreeably to your request, write you some remarks on the subject of the final perseverance of Christians. This is a doctrine of great importance; and mistakes regarding it have occasioned no small perplexity to many. Without farther preamble, I beg your attention to the express promise of the Saviour, that such as believe in him shall never finally perish. My sheep," says he, "know my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand." Now, faith in Christ, considered in a general view, includes faith in his promises, as well as in his sacrifice. You will perceive that this promise is one of the first importance; and that confidence in it, as well as in his atonement, is the duty and the privilege

of his people. The Apostle Paul accordingly comforts the Christians at Corinth by the consideration, that "God would confirm them to the end, that they might be blameless in the day of Christ;" or, in other words, would preserve them in the faith and obedience of the truth. He expressed his confidence in the Philippians, on the evidence of their patience and Christian diligence, as believers of the Gospel; and his happiness that he, who, of his sovereign love and for his own glory, "had begun in them the good work, would perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ." Peter likewise addresses Christians as children, "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation*." These, and such like passages of Scripture, declare that what God has of his free favour begun in believers, he will preserve and finish: They include a promise, that he will richly impart to them the gracious influence of his Spirit, to subdue the evils of the heart, to keep them from falling, and to secure their everlasting bliss.

The intercession of Christ, on the night in which he was betrayed, includes a prayer, that "all who believe the word of the Apostles" may become partakers of that blessed union, in judgment, affection, and pursuit, which subsists between the Father and the Son, a prayer, that his people may be kept in the name of his Father, or in the faith of the Divine character, as revealed in the Gospel,—a prayer for their complete sanctification through the truth,—and a prayer for their final glorification in the heavenly

* John ix. 27, 28. 2 Cor. i. 8. Phil. i. 6. 1 Peter i. 5.

temple. Now, his intercession is always prevalent; and, if so, Christians must participate in all for which he prays in their behalf. Precious is the privilege of such an advocate.

I am aware that this doctrine has been abused; but there is a wide difference between a doctrine which in itself, and from its very nature, is calculated to do harm, and one which is only the occasion of injury in consequence of being abused by the depraved principles of man. When misunderstood, or perverted, it is in fact made a new doctrine, essentially differing from what it is in reality. You will perceive that, in such a case, it is not the doctrine in its true nature that does harm, but as distorted and completely changed. There is not a doctrine in Scripture which has not been abused by the hypocrite, or the licentious: But are we on this to give them up? Far be it. Let us rather study more closely their native glory, and great design, as exhibited in the Gospel; and hold them fast, as of practical and salutary use.

I wish you, my dear friend, particularly to consider that the doctrine in question is designed to animate and encourage the heart to cleave to the Redeemer; to continue in the faith and hope of the truth; to endure afflictions and persecution with patience+; and to wait, in the exercise of Christian obedience, for the coming of our Lord‡. In our journey heavenward we have to encounter many enemies and difficulties; but we are assured that our Lord will be with us to watch

* Jude, 20, 21, 24, 25. + 2 Tim. i. 12.

Heb. vi. 11-20.

over, to guide, and to defend us,-that he will provide for us all that we need,—and that he will secure our admission to the heavenly temple at the end of our course. What so animating to the Christian soldier as the promise of a final and decisive victory? Such a promise, you will easily see, can only be designed to encourage the hearts of the faithful; and what, then, can a traitor have to do with it? The persuasion that the aid of Heaven will be abundantly and seasonably afforded, is well fitted to raise us above the fear of man, and of all opposition; because it leads us to repose in the power, the wisdom, and the goodness of him who hath said, that he will "never leave us nor forsake us." The promises, threatenings, and exhortations of the word of God are intended to be powerful means of guarding against apostacy, and stimulating to that perseverance to which they relate. We are not, and cannot be compelled to persevere; but, under the influence of the Divine Spirit, the word of God excites us to continue to the end, in the hope of eternal life. In the midst of all your fears, then, look to him who hath promised to be with you; and take encouragement from the grace and the faithfulness of his character. Be animated by his word to be diligent in obedience, and to meet with humble boldness the difficulties of your course. Remember that, when the Israelites heard of walled cities and of giants in the land of promise, they sinned in not looking simply to the promise of their God, and so giving way to the most distrustful and desponding fears. It was for them to turn from all the difficulties of which they heard (even