every good thing. Indeed it could not be otherwise, 66 for the love of Christ constrained her;" and the Holy Spirit inclined and helped her; and so she delighted in the "Being made free from sin,

service of God.

and become the

servant of God, she had her fruit unto holiness. ROM. vi, 22. She was in that delightful state "that she felt the love of God to consist in keeping His commandments, and she found His commandments not to be grievous." 1 JOHN, v, 3. She knew "that they which have believed in God ought to be careful to maintain good works." TITUS, iii, 8. And her own heart responded to those Scriptures which told her that "the Saviour loved her and gave Himself for her, that He might redeem her from all iniquity, and purify her unto Himself, as one of His peculiar people, TITUS, ii, 14. And with doing a little now

zealous of good works."

thus she was not satisfied and then for her Lord. "Unto her much had been forgiven and much given, and therefore she loved much," and considered her whole life as the property of God.

C.

She had happily learned both to believe and rejoice in those inspired words, "Christ died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him that died for them and rose again. 2 COR. v, 15. "Ye are not

your own for ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Cor. vi, 19, 20.

Such were the religious principles of this simple christian; and her piety was shewn directly in her conduct. It never seemed to occur to her that the truths of God could be received and not obeyed. In her case there was a close, and as it were, a natural connexion between faith and practice. Just as an infant who is well throws about his arms and legs and shows his health by his activity, so did she prove her creed by her conduct. The one followed the other as a matter of course. Neither the infant nor herself argue about it; I believe so and so, and I must do so and so: but as a good tree will bring forth good fruit, so true religion must produce holy dispositions and virtuous actions. It was observed in her, that she

had no idea in her mind, like believing and not doing. Such a notion as profession without practice, never seemed to have occurred to her simple heart. Indeed the profession she made was chiefly that of the pious Elizabeth, "she walked in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless." LUKE, i, 6. And her diffidence and humility induced her to conceal those virtues which, for the sake of others, we could wish had been more fully known. There are, however, a few remarkable and interesting features in her character that should be noticed, as they serve to shew the nature of "pure and undefiled religion." The principles were hidden in her heart; they were discovered and proved by the plain and certain evidences of her thoughts and feelings, words and actions.

CHAPTER II.

SIMPLICITY-HUMILITY.

We may first observe her simplicity. How very earnestly does our Lord speak upon this subject! "Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter the kingdom of God." MAT. xiii, 3. Our natural character, especially when we have been long practiced in the world, is any thing but simple and child-like, it is often very deep, contriving, suspicious, and false. Our Saviour says this must be quite altered if we hope to be admitted to heaven. It seemed that this happy change had taken place in this good woman ; she saw truths and duties in a plain and clear manner, and as soon as she discovered them, she

tried directly, and without changing them at all, to follow and fulfil them. There was not any thing like double dealing either in her mind or in her conduct; no attempt to deceive herself or to deceive others; all was straightforward, upright, and sincere. This was seen in many little things, (for it is the small matters which occur every day, that try peoples' character) and it will be discovered in many of her answers and conduct mentioned above, and afterwards.

This child-like conduct was particularly shewn in her innocent reliance upon the word of God. She was asked whether she was not sometimes tried and tempted, and whether she did not find it very difficult to continue in the narrow way of life. She answered that certainly sometimes she was cast down, and almost inclined to fear that she might be forsaken. Then after a short pause, laying her hand upon the open Bible, she added "But this is God's own word; we must not doubt what the Lord says: surely it would be a sin to disbelieve what He Himself promises." And so her faith and hope seemed to revive again.