But in this, ‘her fervent spirit laboured. Here she fought, and here obtained fresh triumphs o’er herself.’ Still the sinfulness of her nature was a subject continually present in her mind. She mourned over it; she strove against it; and it was a constant burden, which only the cross of Christ could enable her to bear. But a second feeling which dwelt in her mind, and which produced the most important practical consequences was, that _God is reconciled to sinners through the Atonement of Jesus Christ_, _and received in the heart by Faith_. The doctrine conveyed by this view of religion was the foundation stone on which her peace, and liberty in prayer, and holiness rested. “Ye,” says the Apostle, “who were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ, for he is our peace,” and “being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Although constantly cast down by the sense of her sinfulness, Elizabeth was enabled, as constantly to look by faith to the Atonement; and if her sense of sin, by reason of the assaults of Satan, became greater as she advanced in years, yet with it, her hope of pardon increased, so that in the end, she felt an assurance that an ‘entrance would be ministered unto her abundantly, into the everlasting kingdom of her Lord and Saviour.’ On the doctrine of the Atonement moreover was founded her _comfort in prayer_, for it was only as she felt that God was willing to accept her as a returning child, that she was enabled to ask with confidence. But in this belief, she was enabled to go to God, with the simplicity of a child. She felt that he, who as a Father had redeemed her, was now willing freely to give her all things. Moreover, this doctrine was the foundation of her _holiness_, as she believed that she was _not_ pardoned by any work of her own, so she was not tempted to measure her goodness towards God by a rule, or standard which she judged might constitute his requirements; but her aim was rather to serve Him in the measure in which she loved Him, with all her heart, and mind, and soul, and strength. If she had felt that she had been justified by works, she would have sought only to have done those works which might have secured her pardon; but now, being justified by faith, its constant attendant, _constraining love_, was begotten in the mind, and she felt that there was nothing she did not long to devote to the service of her God and Saviour. One other doctrine was a source of the greatest comfort and benefit to her, it was a _belief in the converting_, _consoling power of the Holy Ghost_. Her dependence for growth in Christian graces, was alone on the power of the Holy Spirit; the love of the Spirit seemed to dwell in her heart, and she was most anxious not to lose this holy influence by sin, or by doubts, or unwillingness to receive his Holy influences.