fflictions I pray that I may know Christ and
the power of his resurrection within my soul. If I were always thus,
my summer would last all the year; my will would then be sweetly lost
in God's will, and I should feel a resignation in every dispensation
of his providence and his grace, saying, 'Good is the will of the
Lord: Infinite Wisdom cannot err.' Then would patience have its
perfect work.

"But, alas! sin and unbelief often, too often, interrupt these frames,
and lay me low before God in tears of sorrow. I often think what a
happiness it would be if his love were so fixed in my heart that I
might willingly obey him with alacrity and delight, and gradually
mortify the power of self-will, passion, and pride. This can only
arise from a good hope through grace that we are washed in that
precious blood which cleanses us from every sinful stain, and makes us
new creatures in Christ. Oh that we may be the happy witnesses of the
saving power and virtue of that healing stream which flows from the
fountain of everlasting love!

"Sir, my faith is often exceedingly weak: can you be so kind as to
tell me what you have found to be the most effectual means of
strengthening it? I often think how plainly the Lord declares,
'Believe only, and thou shalt be saved. Only have faith; all things
are possible to him that has it.' How I wish that we could remove all
those mountains that hinder and obstruct the light of his grace; so
that, having full access unto God through that ever-blessed Spirit, we
might lovingly commune with him as with the dearest of friends. What
favour does God bestow on worms! And yet we love to murmur and
complain. He may well say, 'What should I have done more, that I have
not done? or wherein have I proved unfaithful or unkind to my
faithless, backsliding children?'

"Sir, I pray that I may not grieve him, as I have done, any more. I
want your counsel and your prayers for me in this matter. How
refreshing is the sight of one that truly loves God, that bears his
image and likeness!

"But delightful as is conversation with true believers on earth, whose
hearts are lifted up to things above, yet what is this to that happy
day which will admit us into more bright realms; where we shall for
ever behold a God of love in the smiling face of his Son, who is the
express image of his Father and