I. From the view we have taken of the doc-

trine, we may learn, that it should be the great concern of our lives, to obtain those holy dispo- sitions and principles which are the marks and evidences of our "election of God." God's peo- ple, we have seen^^e chosen C£ through sanctifi- cation of the Spirit unto obedience, and the .sprinkling the blood of Jesus Christ." Have we, under a penitent sense of our guilt, had re- course to the divine mercy for pardon, through
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the Redeemer's precious blood r Have our ha* tures been sanctified by the holy Spirit ? And, as an evidence of this, are we living in an habi? tual course of uniform and cheerful obedience to the laws of God? We cannot unseal the volume of the divine decrees, to discover whether -our names are written in the book of life. But we can examine our own principles and conduct;' and thus determine whether we are the charac- ters for whom the scriptures tell us the king- dom of heaven was ^prepared from the founda- tion of the world". Let us then endeavour to make our calling and election sure, as the apos- tle Peter teaches us, by giving all diligence to add to our faith virtue ; to virtue knowledge, to knowledge temperance; to temperance patience; to patience godliness ; to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness universal charity.
2. The 'doctrine of which we have been treating, teaches us a lesson of humhity. It •shows us that it is by the grace of God that we are what we are, Its language is ^Who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou which thou didst not receive? Now, if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as ' if thou hadst not received it r'J It excludes boasting; and hides pride from man. It tells Us that he Vino '-'glorieth must glory in the Lord."
" 5. This doctrine is calculated to inspire good
men with the most fervent gratitude. Have we
reason to hope that we are'*' vessels of mercy,"
in whom God has graciously determined to
' make known ft ibe riches of his glory'?'* Are We
indebted to the free, unmerited mercy of God,
u
for all the privileges we now enjoy, and all our hopes of everlasting happiness in a future state? What ardent gratitude should the recollection of this excite? In every part of the stupendous scheme of our redemption, the riches of the di- vine grace and mercy, are wonderfully displayed, Grace laid the foundation of this glorious edifice, in the eternal counsels ofthe divine mind Grace raised the superstructurei in the person, and by the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. And when the top stone is brought forth, in the ce- lestial world, it will be with shoutings, Grace! Grace! unto it. And can we contemplate such rich, such unmeasurable grace, and indulge a cheerful hope of an, interest in it, without being peuetrated with the most lively sense of our ob- ligations? and calling upon our souls and all that is within us to celebrate the divine goodness ? No, brethren -3 if our minds are properly affect- ed with the subject, we shall cordially unite with the Apostle in blessing " the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings, in heavenly places in Christ ; according as he hath chosen us in him, before the foundation ofthe world," And we shall endeavour to express our gratitude, not only with our lips, but by the piety and holiness of our lives.
4. This doctrine may inspire the christian with confidence and hope, amidst all the tempta- tions and daggers of the present life. It gives no encouragement indeed, to indolence and car- nal security. No 5 we have already seen that it supposes the necessity of a diligent use of all the means which God has appointed; and the vigo- rous exertion of all the powers which he has
n
given us. But it assures us, that, when, we are " steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, our labours shall not be in vain." With what heroic confidence did a con- sideration of this doctrine, in connexion with the immutability of the love of God, and the atoning sufferings and death of Jesus Christ, inspire the holy Apostle Paul ? See the viiith. chapter of his Epistle to the Romans, and the 28th, and following verses. "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God ; to them that are called according to his purpose* For* whom he did foreknow, them he did predes- tinate; and whom he did predestinate, them he also called ; whom he called, them he also justifi- ed ; and whom he justified, them he also glori- fied. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth: Who is he that condemneth ? It is Christ that died; yea, rather that is risen again; who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession ibr us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or perse- cution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay; in all these things we are more than con* querors, through him that loved us. For I am persuaded 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 us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
To conclude. Let the darkness and obscu- rity which attend this doctrine teach us modesty -and candor. If the doctrine be revealed in the word of God, let not the difficulties with which it
13
is attended prevent our believing it. But let us not imagine that we are capable of comprehend- ing all the mysteries in which it is involved. Who can sound the depth, or comprehend the vast extent of the divine purposes r Let us not indulge the wish to be " wise above'what is written." Let us be satisfied with the informa- tion which God has given us on this subject; and not attempt to draw aside the veil which hides from us what he sees fit at present to conceal. Let us wait, with patience and hope, for that happy period, when the clouds and darkness which are now round about so many of the di- vine purposes and dispensations shall be entirely dissipated. And, in the mean time, when we con- template the infinite perfections, and all-compre- hending decrees of the Almighty, let us feel our in- significance and vanity. Let us, standing, as it were, on the brink of a vast abyss, with deep hu- mility and profound veneration, cry out, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God ! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out !"
And, if there be a subject respecting which christians are bound to exercise mutual candor and toleration, surely this is one, Let us not condemn, or think unfavourably of our fellow christians, because they differ from us in their opinions respecting a subject which is professed- ly involved in much obscurity. There is reason to believe that many oppose this doctrine from an unfounded apprehension that the conse- quences which result from it, are dishonourable to the divin^ character. When this appears to be the case, let us respect and honour the principle, while we lament that it should lead to the rejec-
14
tioh of a doctrine which we believe to he plainly inculcated ill the holy scriptures. And, whatever our sentiments respecting this doc- irine may be, if we are christians, let us love as brethren. Let us remember that the subjects respecting which all true chvistians agree, are infinitely more important than those on which they differ. Let us not misrepresent each other's peculiar opinions; nor ungenerously charge one another with consequences which are mutually and solemny disavowed. Let us put away" all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and cfamour, and evil speaking:" and endeavour to keep " the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace."
v Should dazzle and confound thy sight3
Yet still his written will obey, And wait the great decisive day.
Then will he make his justice known, And the whole world before his throne,
With joy, or terror, shall confess The glcry of his righteousness.7
BRADFORD,
Tuesday, June 12tb, J 810.
Islet at 2 o'Clock in the afternoon, when Brother Steadman gave out the 514th Hymn of Dr. Ripon's Selection, and prayed. Brother Steadman was chosen moderator. The letters from the several Churches; and the Circular Let- ter drawn up by Brother Langdon, were read : and the service was concluded with prayer by Brother Langdon.
Met again at 7 o'Clock. Brother Hyde pray- ed, and afterwards preached from Ps. Ixxxix. 19. Then thou spakest in vision to thy HoIyO.neand. saidst, I have laid help, &c. and concluded with ' prayer.
On Wednesday morning at half past six, - met for prayer, in which exercise our brethren Mann, Dowries, &c*. engaged.
Met again" at ten. Brother Birt, Jun. be- gan with prayer. Brother Langdon preached from 2 Tim. ii. 8. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David, was raised from the dead. Brother Favvcett from Joshua xxiii. 14. And behold this day I am going the way of all the earth. And Brother Litllevvood concluded with prayer. After which it was resolved,
That the Circular Letter be printed.
That the next Association be at -'New York- street, Manchester, on Wednesday and Thurs- day, in the iVhitsun Week; cur Brethren, Favv- cett, Langdon, and Steadman are requested to preach, and. in case oi failure our' Brethren
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