PREFACE. IT is with much diffidence I submit this Essay to public view, knowing my great inability to write upon a subject which many already have attained in a much higher degree than is here expressed; and from such gratitude to the Great Giver of all our mercies will arise, not only to their own minds, but also to mine; may they likewise recal the words of Solomon, "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser." (a) It may be queried, how can one so young point out a way like this, which they that are older only can; for "days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom." (b) It may be answered in the words of Elihu, "But there is a spirit in man; and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth him understanding. Great men are (b) Job. 32. 7, 8. (a) Prov. 9. 9. not always wise; neither do the aged understand judgment." This is not for the great and wise, who think they see, and have enough, but for the poor in spirit, who are sensible of their defects, and breathing after that spiritual food, which alone can nourish to everlasting life. It must not be supposed, that the path here described is that by which others must exactly walk, as the dealings of our Heavenly Father are widely diversified towards different individuals; but at the same time, we must be made sensible, that we are all to become as little children, renewed in the spirit of our minds, having our hearts purified and made clean, before we can enter into that kingdom of holiness and peace, where those only who having in Christ died unto sin, and risen again unto a life of purity, and whose robes are washed in the blood of the Lamb, can be as the Angels in the Resurrection, rejoicing in the light, and life, and hope of everlasting felicity. |