been (sometimes honestly and sometimes captiously) urged against the doctrine of Christian holiness, as he inculcates it. These objections are candidly stated, calmly considered, and fully answered. The reader will find in this chapter an able exegesis of those passages of Scripture which have been supposed to teach a different doctrine from the one set forth in this treatise. The harmony of the Scriptures on this subject is made most manifest.

Most of the readers who have progressed through a careful examination of these several chapters, will be led with more or less anxiety to inquire, How is this great good to be obtained? How is this rich grace to be sought and realized? We believe many of those who have read the portions of the book already noticed, will ask these questions with trembling concern, with burdened hearts. The author has anticipated the uprising of these questions in the minds of his readers at this point, and in the next chapter furnishes his answer. Probably no portion of the work will be read more frequently, or with more intense concern, or greater profit than this. Fisher Ames, in his funeral eulogium upon Hamilton, states, that that illustrious orator made his discourses complete maps of his subjects. The subject of this chapter is, the way of attaining Christian holiness. The author's map exhibits the way of faith in Christ. Then the several stand-points on the road, and the different stages of progress are carefully noted. The dangerous diverging paths are also faithfully exhibited. Still the way is not, in itself, a difficult, tedious, and tiresome one. It is not a long, weary, and perilous pilgrimage, to travel the whole length

For though the distance may actually be considerable, yet the facilities furnished for transporting us over it enable us to pass it very quickly. The grace of God, like

telegraph electricity, almost annihilates distance, as to time. We are sanctified by grace through faith-therefore it may be now. That blood which cleanses from all sin has been shed; Christ ever lives to intercede for those who seek its application; the Holy Spirit waits to aid them in their exercises, and to transform them into the Divine nature and image; all things are ready,—consequently, whosoever exercises the faith described in this chapter will enter into the fruition of holiness.

The sixth chapter explains the evidences of entire sanctification. These are the direct witness of the Holy Spirit, and the indirect, or inferential and confirmatory evidences of its fruits. Certainly a state of grace so exalted and blessed, is not without its corresponding manifestations. It is reasonable here to expect the richest, ripest, and most luxuriant and luscious fruits found in the garden of the Lord. We ask the reader's attention to the distinctiveness of these evidences or their variations from the evidences of justification-as the author has stated them.

The seventh chapter is one of great practical importance. It discusses these two topics-How may holiness be retained, and, when lost, how may it be regained? Few, if any, writers have treated these topics specifically and formally. And yet how vast their importance! Nearly, or perhaps all, evangelical Churches have their books of counsel and admonition, and encouragement for young converts. They are entering upon a new life, assuming new responsibilities and duties, and going into new scenes and untried circumstances; and all feel that they should share, in a special degree, the sympathies and assistances of the Church, and pre-eminently so of their pastors. But who has evinced a corresponding interest in behalf of those who

are just entering upon the enjoyment, the profession, and the practice of holiness? Are there no special responsibilities devolving upon them? Are there not temptations and trials in their path? Will no evil one seek to rob them of this richer treasure? Will no malicious foe seek to cast them down from this loftier eminence?. Such persons are still in probation; they are still encompassed with infirmities; they are still surrounded with wily and potent enemies; they will have an additional and new class of temptations to contend with; they will be called to a new and higher series of exercises, both of heart and life, and, consequently, will need all the aids which the entire economy of the Gospel provides and permits. How kind and useful then is the office of one who is experimentally and practically acquainted with all the peculiarities of this station, to furnish to all who will receive them, such warnings, and directions, and exhortations as are needful and appropriate! This has been done by Mr. Foster in this chapter, with an affectionate pastoral spirit, and with great plainness, and considerable minuteness. I regard this as a very important service to the cause of Christian holiness, and one that gives to this book much of its intrinsic value.

The next effort of the author, is to show the insufficiency of the supposed or real hinderances to the attainment and permanent enjoyment of this grace. So clear and searching has been the investigation of these, that no reader can fail to see that there is nothing insurmountable in his difficulties consequently no sufficient reason why he should not seek and possess the blessing. Having brought his reader to this inevitable conviction, he now plies his understanding, and conscience, and heart, with the mighty motives of truth and love, to bring him to a prompt, determined, and suc

cessful pursuit of this high and glorious attainment. In this appeal to the reader to seek holiness, the transcendent and entrancing glories of the subject itself, are held up to win and allure to its pursuit. The authority of God, rightfully and positively requiring it, is urged. It is represented as the great pre-requisite for eminent usefulness. And the exigencies of the Church are shown to demand such usefulness of all her members, and the glory of God to require it of all his people. The eternal interests involved are pressed upon the attention. This appeal is forcible, fervent, eloquent, searching, startling. O! I pray that it may awake multitudes to the high destiny of holiness on earth, and its eternal beatitude in heaven!

The concluding chapter is taken up with general and particular advices to Christians, whether in the enjoyment of holiness or otherwise. These counsels are exceedingly pertinent and timely. They are highly instructive and interesting. They make a beautiful conclusion to this interesting volume. I conclude this introduction by expressing the hope, that every one that reads it, will also read, with candour and much prayer, the entire volume. I have noticed some parts more particularly than others, but all should be read. Study the book as a whole. If you find some things which you cannot approve, we are certain you will find much to admire, and much that will contribute to your religious edification. EDMUND S. JANES.

New-York, March 18th, 1851.

CHRISTIAN PURITY.

CHAPTER I.

TO THE READER.

THE OCCASION, NATURE, AND OBJECT OF THE WORK.

"THE things which are seen" need no apologist to urge their claims upon our attention, no dulcet tones to conciliate our esteem. Alas! They plead for their own, with an eloquence but too fatal-they find in us hearts but too easily charmed with the spell-like plea.

It is not so with the higher interests of the invisible. Lying beneath the surface, and shut away from view by outward objects, undetected, for the most part, and unknown, the most persuasive eloquence-the most earnest entreaties gain for them but a reluctant hearing, and awaken, on their behalf, but a transient concern. It matters not though they be of infinite and unspeakable value, like diamonds, which glitter in ocean caverns, their existence is veiled, and their beauty and wealth uncoveted! A dewdrop sparkling on the rosebud, awakens more admiration than the priceless stone which lies concealed amid its roots the tinselled splendours of an earthly palace, have more power on the earth-born than the undying radiance of a heavenly mansion. The body, which hastens to corruption, finds a prompt and obsequious attention to its