Page FROM LADY M'S INFANCY, TO THE PERIOD OF Preliminary Observations-Lady M-'s Birth, Parentage, and Education-she removes to Edinburgh-to London-returns to Scotland -is married to Sir Walter Maxwell-Death of Sir Walter, and infant Son-she becomes penitent-corresponds with Mr. Wesley-joins PARTICULARS INTENDED TO ILLUSTRATE ALLU- SIONS IN THE DIARY AND CORRESPONDENCE. Lady M-'s love of Retirement-from her Youth and elevated Rank, exposed to Temptation and Danger-relinquishes her gay Acquaint- ances-Connexion with Lady Glenorchy-they differ in religious Sentiment, but continue united in Affection-Account of Lady H. Hope-the Manner in which Lady M- spent her Time Page Remarks on the Duty of Fasting-on the Sacra- ment of the Lord's Supper-the Manner in THE LIFE OF DARCY, LADY MAXWELL, &c. FROM LADY M-'S INFANCY TO THE PERIOD OF HER CONVERSION. Preliminary Observations-Lady M-'s Birth, Parentage, and Education-she removes to Edinburgh -to London-returns to Scotland-is married to Sir Walter Maxwell-Death of Sir Walter, and infant Son-she becomes penitent-corresponds with Mr. Wesley-joins his Society-obtains Mercy. THE design of Christianity is to raise the soul of man to a participation of the Divine nature. As it came from God, so it leads to God. It is a beam, shining forth from the Deity himself, to irradiate that path which conducts to immortal life. In its adaptation to secure this object, we perceive the depths of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of its Divine Author. It finds man enveloped with darkness, and translates him into marvellous light :-it finds him guilty, and points him to the Lamb VOL. I. B of God that taketh away the sin of the world :it finds him depraved and miserable, and directs him to a fountain open for sin and uncleanness. By the evidences of its divinity; the sublimity of its doctrines; the efficacy of its atonement; the purity and benevolence of its precepts ; the energy of its motives; and the glory of its rewards; the understanding is enlightened, the judgement convinced, and the noblest affections of the soul called into exercise. But this Divine system demands from man, would he enjoy the blessings it offers to communicate, something more than mere speculation. It requires, not only his profound attention and admiration, but also his implicit credence and cheerful acquiescence; not only the homage of the understanding, but also the willing sacrifice of the heart. It is, when he makes an unreserved surrender of himself to its guidance and authority; when he hastens, as a conscious sinner, to shelter himself under the wings of the atonement; and yields to its purifying spirit; that it conducts him onward to the possession of certain and unfading bliss. Then it is, the gospel comes to him, not "in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance;" "casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ :" then it is, that grace ascends the throne of the heart, and there reigns" through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord." He now |