The source of ISABELLA EDGAR's rejoicing assurance sprang from the witness of the Holy Ghost to the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ; she was brought by the Spirit to fix the eye of faith singly and steadfastly on God the Saviour; felt a conscious dependence upon his work for her salvation; was born again under his Spirit's blessed influence, and was made a new creature in him.

This we firmly believe to be the only source from whence this blessed assurance springs, and as firmly believe that it is to be attained from this source by the Lord's believing people.

Under a persuasion that an example of this assurance being attainable, might, with the Spirit's blessing, lead some to seek earnestly that they might arrive at the full assurance of hope unto the end, that they be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises, I was led to ask permission to lay it before the public, in precisely the same form and words it came into my hands, merely suppressing the names of the parties concerned.

PREFACE.

It will not be supposed that the same rejoicing and even triumphant frame of mind that ISABELLA EDGAR so constantly enjoyed in the last stages of her journey, is universally experienced by the children of God, we believe that many, very many, of the Lord's beloved people are led through successive alternations of light and darkness, of spiritual rejoicing and comparative depression, nay, that in some instances, for a long period their light may be neither clear nor dark, although, notwithstanding, it is one day known unto the Lord, and in the evening time it shall be light. But yet they know that they are not to be saved by their frames and feelings, but by the precious blood and finished work of Christ; that he is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. He changeth not! They are confident that they have taken him as all their salvation and all their desire; and although in his infinite wisdom he may see fit to withhold from them those songs in the night which he has been pleased to put into the mouths of some,those glorious foretastes and bright anticipations of their future inheritance which he has be

stowed on others, still they can say, in humble reliance, with the apostle, "I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day,"-2 Tim. i. 12.

Most assuredly it can never be our heavenly Father's will, that the children of his adoption and the heirs of his promises, should continue in a state of ignorance or uncertainty with respect either to their real state now, or their portion hereafter. It never can form a part of his design, of his gracious purpose of salvation, to conceal from them, so long as they continue upon earth, a sense of their acceptance in the beloved here below, or of his having prepared a place for them in their Father's house. If this was the case, I know not how we could understand, what meaning we could assign to our Lord's own words, "Fear not little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."-Luke xii. 32, or to those of his apostle, "We We know that we dwell in him and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. We are of God; we are in him that is true,

even in his Son Jesus Christ.-And hereby know we that we dwell in him and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit."

We apprehend that if a simple faith in the perfect work and all-sufficient grace of the Lord Jesus-if a complete dependence upon the promises made unto us of God in him, were only realized in the degree they might and ought to be, that then this spiritual rejoicing and these triumphs of faith would be experienced more frequently, and dwell more abundantly in the hearts of the Lord's people. We believe that they would not then be considered as rare plants, exciting wonder and surprise when they are found putting forth their beauteous blossoms, and yielding their precious fruits in the midst of the fearful dishonouring doubts, the trembling hopes, the vacilating confidence, which thrive so much more naturally in the soil of our evil hearts of unbelief.

May the number of those, who "having boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us through the veil, that

is to say his flesh, and having an High Priest over the house of God, draw near with faith, having their hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and their bodies washed with pure water,"-Heb. x. 19-22. Be increased, and then there will be more who will find an experience of the fulfilment of the prophet's words, "The work of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever."-Isaiah, xxxii. 16.

F. V. L.

Mersham Rectory,

Sept. 28th, 1838.

*** If any profit is derived from the sale of this little Memoir, it will be devoted to the Funds of the "Church Missionary Society."