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cleansed us from all unrighteousness, then our sins are done away by the grace of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and we are washed by regeneration; then it cannot be true to say we are miserable and putrefied sinners, when at the same time also Christ hath purified and sanctified his church and people.

That is true which St. John saith, chap. i. verse 10. (when opening and explaining the 8th verse) " If we say we have not sinned, we make him (i. e. God) a liar;" for that all have sinned? so that it is plain that he speaks of the state of man before he comes to the work of conversion, or to be renewed by grace; for when we come truly to know Christ, and to see and believe in him, then we witness a change from our corrupt and evil nature, and sinful course of life, which is as clear as the shining of the sun without clouds at noon-day, from the same apostle's words, which I shall transcribe for the information and edification of any who may see this.

The first general epistle of John (the beloved disciple of our Lord Jesus) 3d. chap. 6th verse to the 10th: "Whosoever abideth in him (i. e. Christ) sinneth not: whoso ever sinneth, hath not seen him, neither known him. Lit tle children, let no man deceive you: he who doth righteousness, is righteous, even as he is righteous: he who commiteth sin, is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God, doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil; whosoever doth not righteousness, is not of God (and as above) he whe committeth sin, is of the devil."

This is naked truth, without any covering, and the very sum and substance of pure religion. Oh! that all true christians would lay it to heart, and ponder it in their minds, and then resolve whether they will be sin ners to the end of their days, or whether they will repent, and turn from the evil of their ways; the latter of which, that poor mortals may come to witness for themselves. is the desire and prayer of my soul.

If it be further objected, "That our Saviour taught his disciples a form;" he did so; and a glorious form it is; and they did as they prayed, and were taught of Christ, and so they did it truly, and in true faith, believing they should witness what they said and prayed to be fulfilled. "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.”

Christ said to some of old, "Ye are of your father the devil, because his works ye do:" And all sin is his work, and by our works (as above) we are manifest, whether we are the children of God, or of the devil.

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: A

LETTER

TO

A FRIEND IN IRELAND,

CONTAINING

A

RELATION OF SOME SORROWFUL INSTANCES

OF

THE SAD EFFECTS OF INTEMPERANCE,

AS A WARNING TO YOUNG PEOPLE,

A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord; but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

PROV. xii. 2.

The wicked are overthrown, and are not; but the house of the righteous shall stand. PROV. xii. 7.

Wo to them who are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink.

ISA. V. 22.

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