Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-10-15
THE EpISTLE
From the Yearly Meeting held in London
TO the Quarterly and Monthly AIect-
ings Of Friends IN Great Britain.

80" ZIG ioariy meeting held IN London
10 the Quarterly and Monthly Meet.
ings Of Friends in Great Britain.
ireland. and elsewhere.
Dear Friends, we are auain mad.
sensible that we cannot mediate ON a
subject more lraaght with instruction
and comfort, than the coming of the
Son OF God, in the flesh, and the ma
ny blessings which through him have
been conferred On the human race
the coming of Him, who, being born OF
virgin, was made in the likeness OF
man., "who, being in the form OF
God, thought it not robbery to be equal
with God; but made himself of no re-
putatIon, and took upon bin the form of
servant He "was dellvere j Tor Of
fences, aud was raised again for our
Justification" He assembled on high
he led captivity captive, he received
gifts for men, yea for the re5eIlious al.
so, that the Lord God might dwell a.
mong them. He {" si,teth on the right
hand OF God, making intercession for
us" lie is made unto US Of God. wis
dom, and righteousness, and sanctifica-
tion. and redemption :" and unto Him
we must look as our mediator and ad-
vocate with the Father. He emDhati-
cally describes himself as "the good
Shepherd" He is our Lawgiver; and
solemn indeed is the declaration, that
we must all appear before his Judgment
seat. and receive our reward, according
to the deeds done in the body, whether
they be bad or good.
We ieel that 1t is not light matter
thus 10 advert again to the varions off .
ces of the Son sent of the Father; and
we beseech all of whom we address.
10 contemplate these Solemn truths with
due reverence; yet frequently to medi-
tate thereon, seeking fur the assistance
Of the grace of God to direct their I'M
derstandings Alright. As this is done
with humble and believing carts, the
conviction will increase, and ultimate
Iy become settled, that it is a great
mercy to know Individually that we
have not a High Priest who cannot be
touched with a feeling of our infirmi-
ties. but who was in all points tempted
like as we are, yet without sin.
But blessed be God, He has not only
provided the means OF reconciliation
unto himself, through the sacrifice of
Christ He hath also, through the
same compassionate Saviour, granted
unto us the gift Of the holy Spirit. By
this the patriarchs, and the holy mer
Of old who lived under the law
walked acceptably before God It's
more plenteous effusion, and it's power
Gul and life giving effects were distinct
Ig foretoid by the ancient prophets.
Christ himself declared, that it was ex-
pedient that He nigh, send the Com
forter, the Spirit of Truth, who should
guide unto all truth; in allusion to
whose coming he also said, 81 will
not leave you comfortIess, | will come
to you" To be guided by his Spirit is
the practical application OF the Chris
tian religion 1t is the light of Christ
which enlightens the darkness of the
heart Of man; and, by following this
light, we are enabled to enjoy and
maintain communion with him. The
children Of God are led by the Spirit OF
God; and this is he appoirle means
OF bringing us into that state Of shoIi-
ness, without which no man shall see
the Lord" Its no, doctrine of mys-
facism, but oneofpractical pieiy. The
great Office Of the Holy Spirit, we firm.
gy believe to be, to convince Of sin, to
bring the soul to state Of deep and sin.
cere repentance, and to effect the work
of sanctiication. A holy and constant
watchfulness is required to preserve the
mind alive to the guidance Of this di-
vine Teacher; who, ifdiligently sought
sfier and waited Cor, will be found TO be
swift witness for God in the soul, pro-
duciug that tenderness OF split, and
that quickness of understanding IN the
fear Of the Lord, which are essential to
our growth IN grace. 1t is through
Him whom God hath set forth to be a
Precipitation, through faith in his blood"
that we obtain pardon for sin; and it is
through the power of his Spirit working
nightly N us, that we come eventual
ly to experience freedom from sin.
As we are concerned to work out
our own salvation with fear and trem-
bling, the mind is elevated above the
fading objects Of this life /; it acquires
more solidity and vigour, and its eager
pursuit 10 not after those things which