EXTRACT, &c. MY DEAR CHILDREN, Not knowing how long it may please God continue me amongst you, I am willing to emrace this opportunity of leaving you my advice nd counsel; and I both beseech you and charge ou, by the relation you have to me, and the ffection I have always shown to you and indeed eceived from you, that you lay up the same in our hearts, as well as in your heads, with a wise and religious care. I will begin with that which is the beginning of all true wisdom and happiness-the holy fear of God. Children, fear God:-that is to say, have a holy awe upon your minds to avoid that which is evil, and a strict care to embrace and to do that which is good. The measure and standard of which knowledge and duty, is the light of Christ in your conciences, by which you* m see if your deeds, and your words and too, are wrought in God or not; for the deeds of the mind, and for which you judged: I say, with this divine light of your conciences, you may bring your words, and works to judgment in yours have a right, true, sound, and unerring your duty towards God and man. An come to obey this blessed light in its victions, it will lead you out of the wo and degenerate ways and works, and unto Christ's ways and life, and to be of ber of his true self-denying followers; your cross for his sake, who bore his f and to become the children of the light, on, as your holy armour; by which you and resist the fiery darts of Satan's te and overcome him in all his assaults. I would a little explain this princip It is called Light,t because it gives a ma of his sin. And it is also called the Spirit; for so he is called, and the I heaven, who is called, and calls hin Light of the world. And why is he hrist promised to send his Spirit to convince the orld of their sins: wherefore, that which connces you and all people of their sins, is the pirit of Christ. This is highly prized, Rom. viii. as you may read in that great and sweet chapter) or the children of God are led by it. This eveals the things of God that appertain to man's alvation and happiness, it is the earnest God gives his people. It is the great end and beneit and blessing of the coming of Christ, viz. the shining forth of this Light and pouring forth of this Spirit. Yea, Christ is not received by hem that resist his light and Spirit in their hearts, nor can they have the benefit of his birth, life, death, resurrection, intercession, &c. who rebel against the Light. God sent his Son to bless us, in turning us from the evil of our ways; therefore have a care of evil, for that turns you away from God; and wherein you have done evil, do so no more. But be ye turned, my dear children, from that evil in thought, as well as in word or deed; or that will turn you from God your Creator, and from Christ, whom he has given you for your Redeemer who redeems and saves his people from their sins, not in their sins; read * John xvi. 8. t 1 Cor. ii. 10, 11, 12. + 2 Cor. v. 5. " § Tit. ii. 14. sin, and error, are the same; so Li Grace, and Truth, are the same. This is that which is come by Christ : sure of this Light, Spirit, Grace, and given to every man and woman to see t go by, which leads out of the vain honou ments, lusts, and pleasures of the world O my dear children! this is the pea part with all for it; but never part with the world. This is the Gospel leaven you; that is, sanctify and season you in and spirit, to God your heavenly Fathe service, and your own lasting comfort. is the divine and incorruptible seed of th of which all truly regenerate men an Christians of Christ's making, are born it into your hearts, give it room there ; deep root in you, and you will be fruitfu in every good word and work. As you to it, and the holy enlightenings and mo you will have a perfect discerning of the s world, in all its appearances, in yourselve ers; the motions, temptations, and worl as to pride, vanity, covetousness, reveng ness. hypocrisy, and every evil way: yo |