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says, Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Very true, Georgiana, we must be created anew in Christ Jesus. We must be born again of the Spirit, or we can never hope to enter into the kingdom of God.

Then, papa, our nature is changed; we partake of the nature of God, and become like him?

In spirit we do, but not in the flesh ; for "who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one." Have you not read the seventh chapter of Romans?

Yes, papa, and now I begin to understand that we have two natures within us, the one opposing the other.

It is a warfare which never ceases in the believer, Georgiana; the flesh against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh : and these are contrary the one to the other: "so that (as Paul says) ye cannot do the things that ye would." Gal. v. 17. It is altogether the work of the Holy Spirit to bring about a spiritual change.

"We through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith" in Jesus Christ, who is the righteousness of his people. We are told that “ Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness;" though he might boast of his works, "but not before God." His ready obedience was the fruit of his faith, for which he looked not for reward; had he done so, he would have claimed it as a debt due to him; but he arrogated no merit to himself in what he did; for in such a spirit, if a man work, "the reward is not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin."

You are quoting from the fourth chapter of Romans, papa; I know it well, and have remarked that "faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness," and his faith worked by love,-the love of God shed abroad in his heart which was the cause that "he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God."

Yes, Georgiana, he gave all the glory to God (the inexhaustible source of all gifts and graces) for the gift of that faith which was imputed to him for righteousness; he had nothing that he did not receive, therefore, nothing in himself whereof to glory. All who "walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham," shall in like manner inherit the promise. The righteousness of Christ will be imputed to them also,-to his seed, which includes all believers. By this righteous faith we are justified, and obtain peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

And surely, papa, those who are so highly favoured by God must produce fruit to his glory.

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Certainly, my child, "The tree is known by its fruits." If Jesus be the root, the tree will be green and flourishing: Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God." His Spirit in his people will prevent their fulfilling the lust of the flesh, and lead them in the way of holiness. "Prevent and follow me, O God," should be their unceasing prayer.

The fruits of the Spirit, papa, are beautifully contrasted with those of the flesh in the fifth of Galatians, where we are plainly told that they who do the works of the flesh shall not inherit

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the kingdom of God;" but that "

they

that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with its affections and lusts.

If we

live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

If we have not the Spirit of Christ, Georgiana, we are indeed none of his; but if we are not in the flesh, that is, if we are changed, the Spirit of God dwells within us. "To be carnally-minded is death; but to be spiritually-minded is life and peace: because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." If Christ be in us, he is stronger than the carnal mind, and keeps it down, "the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness." "He shall quicken your mortal body by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." His graces shine in the lives of believers, all who see them can take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus; by whose righteousness the guilty sinner is for ever acquitted. "By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight;""but now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law