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tinction; for though imperfect convictions sometimes are entirely effaced, and are followed by no lasting effect at all, yet it is often otherwise. They frequently produce a counterfeit religion, which not only continues for a time, but is carried down by some to the grave as a lie in their right hand. So subtle are the deceits of Satan, that there are many hollow forms of religion, not only upon a legal but an evangelical bottom. I shall give the reader a sketch of

the principles and outlines of both.

There are some legal hypocrites. Awakened to a sense of their danger, merely from the irresistible power of God, they fall to the exercise of repentance, and hope, that by so doing they may live. Hence the whole system of bodily penance and mortification. Hence also so strong an attachment, in some worldly persons, to the external forms of religion, and veneration for the places of divine worship. Being now somewhat more regular and decent in their ordinary carriage than before, they entertain a fond hope that all shall be well. In the mean time, they are so far from being restored to the image of God, or being governed by his love, that all this is a burden to them; and indeed it is because it is a burden, that they are so prone to think it meritorious. Conscience checks them, and they dare not run to the same excess with others, or even repeat what they themselves did formerly; and by this comparison, cannot help thinking they are in a hopeful way. But did such persons reflect a little on the nature of God, they would see their error. They would learn, that they are so far from being renewed in the spirit of their minds, that, whatever lengths they go, they

are dragged or driven against their will; and whenever they can find a plausible excuse, they are ready to withdraw their neck from the yoke. A just view of the glory of God, and the obligation upon every rational creature to love and imitate him, would effectually cure them of all self-righteousness and selfdependence; would lead them to himself and the grace treasured up in his Son, to "work in them the whole good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power."

On the other hand, there are evangelical hypocrites. These begin upon the same principles, and their views have the same radical defect with the former. They are awakened to a sense of danger, and sometimes made to tremble through fear of divine judgments, but without any discovery of the glory and amiableness of the divine nature. If such persons happen to live in a family or congregation where they hear much of the doctrine of redemption, it may have its place in their scheme. They may be so convinced of their own manifold transgressions, as to be satisfied to throw their guilt upon the surety, and rely on the sufferings and death of Christ for deliverance from the wrath of an offended God. Nay, I have not the least doubt that some may, by a confident presumption, imitate the faith of God's elect, and believe that Christ died for themselves in particular. So long as this persuasion can maintain its ground, it may, and must give them great joy and satisfaction. Who would not find consolation in thinking themselves in safety from divine wrath? Yet all this while they never see the evil of sin in itself, as an opposition to the nature, and a

breach of the law of God. They are never brought to love an infinitely holy God in sincerity of heart. They may love him, because they suppose themselves the peculiar objects of his love, with some obscure, confused, sensual idea of the delights of heaven; but they know not, or consider not the nature of that salvation he hath provided for his chosen.

All such love, it is plain, ariseth from a false confidence in their own state, and not from a true knowledge of God. Their notions of God's love to them contain more of a partial indulgence to them as they are, than of his infinite compassion in forgiving what they have been. The effects of such religion are just what might be expected from its nature, violent and passionate for a season, and commonly ostentatious, but temporary and changeable. Self-love lies at the root, and therefore, while they are pleased and gratified, they will continue their profession of attachment; but when self-denial or bearing the cross is required, they reject the terms, they lose their transporting views, and return to their sins.

There are many examples of this, not only in Scripture, but in the history of the church in every age. Many of those disciples who seemed gladly to embrace the doctrine, and highly to honour the person of Christ, when they heard some of the most mortifying precepts, "went back and walked no more with him." The character is little different which we find described under the image of the stonyground hearers, who, "having not root in themselves, when persecution or tribulation ar se because of the word, by and by were offended." I hope this, with the explication above given of its cause, may be of

use to account for some appearances in a time of the revival of religion. Persons who seem to have the same exercises with real converts, yet afterwards fall away, and "return with the dog to his vomit again, and with the sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire." This gives occasion to adversaries to

speak reproachfully, and is greatly distressing to those who truly fear God. But would men carefully attend to what the holy Scriptures teach us to expect, their surprise in all such cases would cease: "For it must needs be that offences must come." And though there are many counterfeits, there will still be sufficient means to distinguish the gold from the dross.

SECTION III. There must be a conviction of sin and danger.

The next great step in a saving change, is a deep humiliation of mind, and conviction of sin and danger. The absolute necessity of this is very evident, and indeed generally confessed. It is equally evident, whether we consider the nature of the change itself, the means of its production, or the motives to all future duty. If an entire change is necessary, there must be an entire and thorough dissatisfaction with, and disapprobation of, our past character and state. Whoever is pleased with his present character, will neither desire, endeavour, nor even accept of a change. If we consider the means of our recovery, by Jesus Christ suffering in the room of sinners, the same thing will appear with increasing evidence. Those who are not humbled under a sense

of guilt and corruption, will treat with great contempt a purchased pardon and a crucified Saviour. This our Lord himself often tells us in the plainest terms: "They that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." To these indeed his invitation and call is particularly addressed: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

To the same purpose we shall find many other passages, both of the prophetic and apostolic writings. The glad tidings of salvation are always directed to the humble, miserable, broken-hearted, thirsty, perishing soul. Thus in the prophet Isaiah,

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Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money: come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money, and without price." When Christ entered on his personal ministry, he opened his commission in the following terms: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised; to preach the acceptable year of the Lord." I shall only mention one other passage: "And I will give to him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."

From these passages, and many others in the same strain, it is evident, beyond contradiction, that there must be a deep humiliation of mind, and sense of guilt and wretchedness, before a sinner can be brought unto God. This indeed hath ordinarily been con

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