enabled to exercise faith in its simplicity; and, being blessed with a sweet visit from my adorable Saviour, I feasted on Him as the Bread of life. In secret prayer afterwards, I got a Pisgah view of the promised land, and had such free access to the throne, that I had only to ask and receive. The light of the Divine countenance shone upon my soul, and I felt unspeakably happy in the manifested love of God. I prayed, in all the confidence of hope, for a larger measure of holiness; and stretched out the hand of faith to take the blessing from above. I felt assured my prayer was heard, and that my blessed Lord had written on my heart, "Holiness unto the Lord." He seems to shine with meridian brightness into my renewed mind; it is noonday with my soul; and I have "the indubitable seal," "the powerful stamp," " the signature of love Divine." I enjoy a "fulness of love, of heaven, of God;" and am encouraged to believe that my sun shall no more go down, nor my moon withdraw itself; but the Lord shall be mine everlasting light, and my God my glory. May I hold fast whereunto I have already attained, keep at the feet of Jesus, and ever watch unto prayer.

Bristol, May 2d, 1833.—I have been favoured to-day with prolonged opportunities for secret prayer, meditation, and searching the Scriptures. For five hours, with only slight interruptions, it has been my high privilege to wait upon the Lord in these delightful exercises. For some weeks all closet-duties have had an unwonted relish, and have been specially profitable. I trust I make some progress in the Divine life. I am certainly sinking deeper and rising higher. I see the Son through the Spirit's light, and have constant access to the Father through the mediation of the Son; and I delightfully feel that the Triune God is to me" All in all.” January 9th, 1834.-This has been a profitable day. Without, I hope, neglecting any duty, I have been able to spend the entire forenoon in devotional exercises. Secret communion with God is so delightful, that, were I not aware it would unfit me for the duties of life, I should rejoice to spend whole nights in His fellowship. Surely heaven is begun below. I have a foretaste of the joys above, and have begun the endless song. I am one with Christ, and Christ is one with me. I daily lose my melting will in His, and can trace a growing assimilation between my soul and the mind that was in Him. But, O! the likeness is yet but faint.

"Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

Be to me what Adam lost."

21st. I humbly trust the Lord is deepening His work in my soul. My experience becomes clearer, deeper, and more scriptural. I know in whom I have believed; for, after I believed, I was "sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of my inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession." To a living hope of this "inheritance, incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away," I am "begotten again, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead;" and, being thus sealed and stamped with the Divine image, I am in some measure meet for my

heavenly home. Though not yet perfected, I have a strong persuasion that "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate me from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus." This persuasion, instead of relaxing, confirms my determination to forget the things which are behind, and to reach forth unto the things which are before, with the whole bent and vigour of my mind. Lord, arm me with fortitude and courage to persevere; help me to double my diligence; and grant that I may be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in Thy work.

26th. "No thought can reach, no tongue declare," the goodness of my God. May He "touch my lips with hallowed fire, and loose a stammering Infant's tongue!" May He enlarge my scanty thought to comprehend the height, and depth, and length, and breadth of His love to me and all mankind!

To-day I have heard a discourse from Heb. x., nineteenth and three following verses, through which I seemed to gain a further entrance into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. Toward the close of the sermon the power of faith was given, and I was enabled to throw wide open the doors of my heart, that the King of glory might enter in. I felt that He did indeed take up all the place. He now sits on the throne of my heart, creating all things new: no rival disputes His sway, and every motion and thought is brought into sweet and willing subjection. I rejoice in Him, not only as the King of glory, but also as the Prince of peace.

February 1st. The savour of the blessing I received recently abides in growing strength. I delightfully feel that I am a temple of the living God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. He is my light and my salvation : He hath showed me light; and I joyfully and gratefully bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. Since Sunday nothing has been able, for a moment, to divert my mind from Him who is my chiefest joy. With De Renty, I think I can say, "I carry about with me, ordinarily, an experimental verity, and a plenitude of the presence of the most holy Trinity," which is "continually accompanied with praising, blessing, and offering all homage thereto." I would not for all the world lose what I have received and yet it has been suggested, that it is scarcely possible I should live to my life's end in such a state of salvation. But God condescendingly and graciously answers for Himself, saying, "I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day:" and again, "The Lord is thy keeper; the Lord is thy shade on thy right hand." The following words have also been applied with power: "There shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the day-time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain." While pleading this evening for grace to live in the spirit of prayer and praise continually, the Lord spoke to my heart, "Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you." I laid hold of the promise, and claimed its fulfilment in all the confidence of hope. 2 s

VOL. IV.-FIFTH SERIES.

My blessed Lord drew near, and watered my soul as with the dews of heaven, imparting strength and refreshment in no ordinary degree.

August 27th.-My heart is tuned to praise my Lord: joy and gladness are found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. In anticipation I" cast my crown before Him, lost in wonder, love, and praise." With my whole heart and soul, I ascribe salvation unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. He plants in my heart a constant paradise, and makes it as the garden of the Lord. I enjoy His abiding presence: He walks in me, and makes me the subject of His mighty working, a habitation of God through the Spirit." The language of my soul is, "Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out,"-that my graces may be exercised and matured. "Let my Beloved come into His garden, and eat His pleasant fruits." And often, very often, does my blessed Lord reply, "I am come into My garden, My sister, My spouse: I have gathered My myrrh with My spice; I have eaten My honeycomb with My honey; I have drunk My wine with My milk." Thus does my Lord assure me that He delights in what He Himself hath given; and at the same time He condescendingly invites me to partake more largely of His inestimable gifts and glorious fulness. My heart overflows with gratitude for the sweet and unutterable intercourse I have had with God, during nine weeks spent in this delightful retreat. But, whilst thankful, I am humbled to the dust on account of my unworthiness. Were it not for the calls of duty, I could hide myself from every eye. I seem unworthy to live, and unfit to associate with those around me. Yet I know that my real life is hid with Christ in God; and I have a good hope that, when He shall appear, I shall appear with Him in glory.

Louth, August 13th, 1838.-Heaven has not only come down to earth, but it has come into my soul. I know not how to express the overflowing sense I have of the presence of the Holy Trinity. It surrounds-fills—awes ; and makes me feel as if all things were full of God. As the Lord dwelt in the temple of old, and filled it with His glory, so the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost seem to dwell in me, manifesting the glory of the Godhead by an inward shining. O that I, who am less than the least of all saints, may have grace to improve the grace already given! I feel a godly jealousy,a holy shrinking lest I should, by thought, or word, or deed, grieve the indwelling Deity. I seem all eye, all ear, all attention to spiritual things ; and, in the language of the Bride in the Canticles, my heart says, “I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up nor awake my Love till He please." The filial fear I have of offending God is not servile, but sanctifying and salutary. I sink overwhelmed with guiltless shame, and silently adore the great THREE-ONE. Heaven seems open to my believing view; the innumerable company are almost within sight; and I unite my feeble hallelujahs with the adoring host who "circle His throne, rejoicing."

October 11th, 1847.-This is a morning ever to be remembered. In

attempting to record its exercises and blessings, I feel that I tread on holy ground, and would be jealous over myself with a godly jealousy, watching and guarding every word, thought, and motive; that there may be no boasting or vain-glorying, but a sinking in humility and "guiltless shame," mingled with filial confidence and grateful love. When engaged in reading, meditation, and prayer, I was enabled to go immediately to Jesus Christ, my living Head, for more abundant life; and while I was looking to Him, and yielding myself up to His powerful attraction, He imparted, in larger measure than ever, "the rest of faith, the sabbath of His love." I proved that "His rest" was "glorious;" and, as I waited at His feet, having near access, and yet longing for closer communion, He drew nearer still, and spoke to my heart, "If any man love Me, he will keep My words; and My Father will love him; and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him." I had often felt these words, had pleaded them at the throne of grace, and had experienced their fulfilment in part; but they were now accompanied with such meltings of heart, such overflowings of love, such intense desire to keep the Saviour's words, and such inward attestations of the sincerity and fervour of my love to Him, that I could not doubt He was answering the prayer I had so often and so perseveringly offered :

66

"Come, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

And seal me Thine abode ;

Let all I am in Thee be lost,

Let all be lost in God!"

December 3d.-The Lord has visited and redeemed the least of His servants. I have received a higher degree of spiritual life, clearer light, and more of the Spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. The doors of my heart have been thrown wide open, and my blessed Lord has taken full possession. He has cast out everything that defileth: He reigns without a rival, and fills the temple with His light, life, love, holiness, glory. Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of the brethren is cast down." Yes! I have overcome him through the blood of the Lamb, which cleanseth from all sin, and by the word of God. I have had many sore conflicts with the adversary of late; he has raged and thrust sore at me, because I have been endeavouring more faithfully and more frequently to confess Christ, and to cause my light to shine before men: but my Saviour has prayed for me, my faith has not failed, and, through His grace, I have gained the victory. I often hear a still small voice from Him who sits on the throne of my heart, saying, “Behold, I make all things new." The Spirit invites me to come and take of the water of life freely, and assures me that, overcoming, I shall inherit all things. The Lord is unto me an everlasting light, and my God my glory. Precious Jesus! Thou art mine. "Thou my long-sought Eden art." Thou fillest me with Thy salvation: Thou surroundest me with Thy presence. Thou art All in all to me!

SONSHIP TO GOD UNDER THE MEDIATORIAL ECONOMY.

(To the Editors of the Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine.)

THERE are some questions in theology respecting which it is quite possible, perhaps, it is to be expected,-that diversities of opinion should exist even among those who are united in the cordial belief of all the great truths held by the Wesleyan Methodists. The habits of thought which different minds have formed, and the different aspects of the Christian scheme on which they have been accustomed to dwell with peculiar interest, may insensibly modify their views of some minor points of sacred truth.

It has long appeared to me, that the question raised by your esteemed correspondent, in your Number for June, p. 494, is of this character; and I may be permitted, I hope, to allege some reasons why I, in common with many others, cannot regard adoption as identical with pardon,—as another mode of representing the same blessing. I have not been anxious to raise any controversy on this subject: but if, in your pages, the older view is represented as erroneous, perhaps the time has come when some of those who still adhere to it should state the grounds on which their convictions

rest.

The passage to which I refer is the following:-"Is it quite correct to look upon adoption as something added to our complete pardon? Adoption does not, in fact, flow from forgiveness, but is involved in it; inasmuch as a full pardon, such as God always bestows, must include a restoration to forfeited privileges. Is God a King? He pardoneth iniquity.' Is He a Judge? He justifieth the ungodly.' Is He a Father? He owns us as sons and daughters. Thus it is clear that these three Gospel terms are expressive of one substantial blessing. Perhaps justification is, in one view, the strongest; indicating that the great benefit is bestowed consistently with the administration of justice, and not in mere prerogative of mercy; Christ having rendered satisfaction, instead of the guilty."

Now, I confess, that to my mind this is inconclusive and unsatisfactory; and that I adhere to the view given in our Second Catechism, that adoption is immediately consequent on justification, and that it is "an act of God's free grace, whereby, upon the forgiveness of sins, we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God." And I contend for this view, not simply because it appears to me to be logically more correct, (for, if this were all, I should scarcely have deemed it worth while to trouble you with this communication,) but because I am convinced that the sentiment which it is now proposed to substitute for it,— namely, that pardon, justification, and adoption, are three different modes of representing one and the same blessing,—detracts largely from the glory of our sonship to God under the Christian economy.

It is granted, at once, that the terms, pardon, justification, and adoption, all refer to our relation to God, as distinguished from our moral state