more, and confirms them in their fruits meet for repentance, all your confidence; so that they think, after religion is vain, your hopes presuch experiences, that they must sumptuous, and your destruction never more, on any account, doubt inevitable; whatever other attainof their own salvation. Yet all ments, gifts, or experiences, you this is only a land flood, and soon may have to boast of, or to buoy subsides. They gradually experi- up your confidence. Satan can ence a decay of affection, and grow transform himself into an angel of lifeless, indolent, and worldly; with light, and as effectually ruin souls their affection their confidence de- by false religion, as by open ungodclines, but they struggle hard to liness; and far more unsuspectedly. exclude doubtings: they call them- II. I observe from what hath selves backsliders; allow themselves been discoursed, that great care is to have forsaken their first love; and requisite in distinguishing betwixt groan out Job's complaint, though true repentance, and that which is not at all in Job's meaning: "Oh superficial and merely natural +. that it were with me as in months This is of vast importance, as numpast!" And would a wish suffice, bers of those who die impenitent something might be done: but they have at times judged themselves, have no heart for greater exertion. and been thought by others, to be To close all, they abuse the doctrine penitent. Let it then be rememof final perseverance; take it for bered that true repentance, though granted that they are saints; ex- generally accompanied with terror, pect to be restored as it were by tears, confessions, and outward remiracle, whilst they turn a deaf ear formation, good words, fair promises, to the voice of Christ, commanding and earnest resolutions, doth not them to "be zealous, and repent;" consist in, or uniformly attend upon till at length, perhaps, a suitable all or any of them. But true reoccasion and temptation presenting, pentance is a change of judgment, they throw aside their profession of inclination, and affection, in respect godliness. to sin, immediately accompanied,

This is exactly the religion of preceded, or followed by a change the stony-ground hearers, who had of judgment, inclination, and affecfaith, confidence, and joy, such as tion, respecting God and his law, they were, but no repentance or Christ and his gospel, ourselves and humility*, and therefore no root in our conduct, this world and the themselves for it is only by renew- + Some will, perhaps, be disposed to ining our hearts unto repentance, quire, why I have not adopted the cominon that the ground is prepared for the distinction between legal and evangelical repentance. As these expressions do not reception of the seed, and the pro-occur in Scripture, every one is at liberty duction of true faith and holiness, to use them or not; and the distinction as hath already been demonstrated. comprehensive for my purpose. Trne redid not appear to me sufficiently exact or "Let no man deceive you by vain words." Except you are partakers of repentance, and bring forth

pentance has more respect to the law, as transgressed by sin, and justly condemning the sinner, than any false repentance can have. Whilst, on the other hand, men are more frequently seduced into a dependence on a superficial repentance, by unwarrant It is very observable how often the able presumptions of mercy, and false words," Every one that exalteth himself apprehensions of evangelical truth, than shall be abased, and he that humbleth by slavish regard to the law. Natural and himself shall be exalted," are repeated by spiritual repentance seems to me a preferour Saviour; and how many similar ex-able distinction. By natural repentance, pressions are used by his apostles. This I would understand every sort of repentinfallibly teaches ns, that all appearances ance of which a mere natural man is capaof religion are fallacious, so long as the ble; by spiritual repentance, that which heart remains unhumbled. springs from true grace in the heart.

next. From this change springs outward worship, require no entire sorrow for sin, self-abasement and inward renovation; and having no condemnation; sole dependence on experience of it, nor seeing any God's mercy; supreme valuation occasion for it, with Nicodemus, he of Jesus and his salvation; love to exclaims, "How can these things God and holiness; tenderness of be?" The evangelical or antinoconscience; zeal for good works; mian self-deceiver also may have all holy tempers; holy conversation, his opinions, affections, and confiand holy conduct; accompanied dence, without becoming a new with continual humiliation for re- creature; and will, therefore, whilst maining imperfections and defile- he uses the terms, mistake their ments. Where these effects have import, and signify by them some been evidently produced, though of those enthusiastical impulses and with little or no terror, no effusions revelations, which he experiences of tears, or seasons of peculiar melt- and boasts of.

ing, but gradually and silently, the But self-admiring, self-justifying repentance is yet sincere and genu- man will never exercise that selfine, by this rule,-it leads to Christ loathing and self-condemning reand holiness. But all other appear-pentance which hath been described, ances, whether of terror issuing in except he be born again. Insensible self-dependence and neglect of to the attractions of heavenly obChrist; or of supposed evangelical jects through inordinate love of humiliation inducing professed de- worldly things, he never will rependence on Christ and free grace, nounce and abhor all siu, mortify whilst sin is not abhorred and every lust, die to all carnal objects, avoided, nor holiness loved and and delight in God and universal practised, are superficial and hypo- holiness, except he be changed into critical. Herod might have passed a new creature, by the efficacious for a true penitent, if John would influences of the Holy Spirit; exhave allowed him his Herodias:cept "old things pass away, and all yet John shall lose his head rather things become new.'

than Herod (notwithstanding pro- This is the new birth so frequently mising appearances) will part with spoken of in the sacred Scriptures. his beloved lust and human nature A new principle of divine life imis just the same in other men as it planted in the heart, purifying the was in Herod. Let no repentance various powers of the soul. Hence therefore satisfy any man which proceed an enlightened understanddoth not endear Christ and univer-ing, a sound judgment in divine sal holiness; and divorce the heart things, holy affections, a pure imafrom every sin, especially that which gination, a sanctified memory, and heretofore was the customary and a well informed, tender, but not beloved sin. superstitious, conscience. Hence III. I would, from what hath proceed new fears, new hopes, new been discoursed, take occasion to joys, new sorrows, new aversions consider in few words, the nature and desires, new dispositions, and and necessity of regeneration. No a new life. Yet as these are in other religion but that which hath this life only imperfect in their been described requires that entire degree, this imperfection of grace change which this term, and a and remainder of corruption, extort variety of similar expressions in the from the true Christian bitter comsacred Scriptures, imply. A Pha-plaints: "Oh wretched man that I risee's reformation, morality, and Jam, who shall deliver me from the

body of this death?" They put dreadful portion. Yet, yet a longvigour into his prayers: "Create suffering God has patience with in me a clean heart, O God, and you: the gospel invites, and Jesus renew a right spirit within me:" stands with open arms to receive they still find him employment for you; complains that you " will not repentance and watchfulness, and come to him, that you may have endear free forgiveness through the life" affirms with an oath, that blood of Christ. he hath no pleasure in the death Sinners should therefore be ad- of a sinner," and, as with tears of dressed in terms like these: All compassion, adds, "Turn ye, turn your aversion to this thorough re- ye, why will ye die?" Do you pentance, and all your delays about then love death? Will you slight it, only demonstrate your need of such warnings, such expostulations, being born again. Should God im- such invitations, such compassion? plant in your heart such a new Well, if this prevail not, I must principle of holiness, as would make with reluctance leave you, as Paul you relish and take pleasure in did the Jews: "Your blood be divine things, you would find it upon your own head, I am free." natural and easy to abhor sin, to V. I now turn to thee, poor mourn over it, and forsake it; to weeping penitent, who art almost repent and do works meet for re- inconsolable and sinking in despondpentance. Have you then a real ency. Thou scarcely canst hope desire after this invaluable gift? that God will pardon so great a If you have not, but prefer the sinner; the expectation seems to quiet satisfaction of your carnal in- border on presumption: yet still clinations, you are justly left with thy humiliation appears to thyself out that which you so despise. If slight, and thy repentance superyou have, “Ask, and it shall be ficial, and thy heart insensible : yea, given you; seek, and you shall find; though it is almost melted within knock, and it shall be opened unto thee, it feels like a very stone; and you. For every one that asketh still thou pleadest, "Oh! take receiveth, and he that seeketh find-away the heart of stone, and give eth, and to him that knocketh it the heart of flesh." Behold, I shall be opened." bring thee glad tidings of great IV. I now take my leave of im- joy; and I shall share thy joy, if I penitent sinners, with a serious ex- may but be the instrument of adpostulation. I mean such as are ministering peace and comfort to living, secretly or openly, in cove- thee: "Come unto me," saith tousness, injustice, lewdness, drunk- Jesus, "all ye that are weary and enness, profaneness, or any known heavy laden, and I will give you sin; who remember not to hallow rest.' Behold, he calleth thee; the Sabbath, to read the Scriptures, be of good courage. All who will, to worship God, to relieve the poor, may come; he hath given thee the or to do any other known duty; or willing mind, and will "in nowise who proudly trust in themselves cast thee out." He will bind up that they are righteous, and despise thy broken heart, and " give thee others, and neglect Christ and his the oil of joy for mourning, and the salvation. Oh, make no more ex-garment of praise for the spirit of cuses or delays: "Flee from the heaviness." Only wait his time; wrath to come." 66 Evil pursueth let him probe thy wounds to the sinners:" if it overtake you in im- bottom; catch not impatiently at penitency, eternal misery is your comfort; beg for still deeper humi

liation: use every means of increas- of Christ, in all his offices, seeking ing thy abhorrence of sin and watch-forgiveness of our daily transgresfulness against it; and it shall not sions through his blood; and exerbe very long before "he will shed cising ourselves to have a conscience abroad his love in thy heart," and void of offence towards God and cause thee" to abound in hope, man. Thus, as true penitents, enthrough the power of the Holy deavouring to glorify God, adorn Ghost." In the mean time reflect the gospel, and serve our generathat whilst thou art mourning on tion, we may hope to live in comearth, heaven resounds with joyful fort, die in peace, and have “ an acclamations and praises on thy ac- entrance ministered to us abuncount: wait then and pray, and dantly, into the everlasting kingthou shalt ere long rejoice and dom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus praise too, and that for ever. Christ.'

VI. But some perhaps will say, I have not this work to do now, I repented many years ago. What,

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APPENDIX.

art thou still a sinner, and hast thou Concerning Hallowing the Sabbath. no need to repent! The true Chris

tian can indeed thankfully say, My THROUGHOUT this Discourse, it hath repentance is effectually begun: but been supposed, that there is in force only the saint in glory can truly say, a divine mandate of hallowing the My repentance is finished. The Sabbath, which all are bound to more a true believer knows of God obey, and contract guilt by neglectand Christ, and the law and gospel; ing. But the change in the disand the larger his experience is of pensation, since the fourth command his own depravity, and of the Lord's was given; the alteration of the day, goodness, the more he hates sin; from the seventh to the first of the the more he recollects of his former week; and the manner in which sins, the quicker sense he hath of that alteration was introduced, have present sinfulness, and the deeper afforded some persons an occasion and purer is his repentance. He of arguing against the obligation: rejoices in the Lord with penitent the judgments of others seem unjoy, and mourns for sin with sweet settled, and perplexed about it: and joyful mourning. His humility and those who profane the Sabincreases his thankfulness and ad- bath, are by these things furnished miration of the love of Christ, and with some plausible excuse, and enhances his consolation: for "it preserved from remorse of conis a pleasant thing to be thankful." science on that account. For these But if the thought that thy sins reasons, I judged it might be useful were pardoned, finished thy re- to subjoin a few brief hints upon pentance, and dried up thy tears, the subject.

thy repentance needs repenting of, I. It should be noticed, that the and thou art awfully deceived. Sabbath was appointed long before Finally, My fellow Christians, the ceremonial law, even from the let us frequently renew our recol- creation of the world; and therelection of former sins, our self-ex-fore cannot, in its own nature, be amination, our meditations on those ceremonial. Gen. ii. 1—3. That subjects, which first excited our ab- the words of Moses should thus be horrence of iniquity; especially our understood may be confirmed by meditations on a bleeding Saviour. the prohibition of gathering manna Let us daily renew our acceptance on the seventh day, Exod. xvi.

22-30, previous to giving any part some known, stated, and periodical of the law. The very language of portion of our time to religious purthe fourth commandment, "Remem-poses, when, all other engagements ber the Sabbath-day to keep it holy," being postponed, men should asas well as the reason assigned in semble to worship God, and learn the close, evinces the same. And his will; is evidently an appointthis is corroborated and illustrated ment resulting from the reason and by the general custom in many na- nature of things. The glorious pertions, through revolving ages, of fections of God; the rational nature computing time by weeks, or pe- of man; our relations and obligariodical returns of the seventh day. tions to our Creator, Benefactor, Of this fact, no reason can be as- Governor, and Judge; the honour signed so satisfactory, as supposing which he requires, and which we it to be the effect of an original in- owe him; our relations to each stitution, handed down by tradition, other, as social creatures, who can amongst all the descendants of instruct, assist, affect, and animate Adam and Noah; which continued one another by joining together in even after the appointment that one common exercise; and our gave rise to it was forgotten *. situation, in such a world as this,— II. The observation of the Sab- all render such an ordinance indisbath, being made a part of the pensable. Repeal this commandMosaic dispensation, is interwoven ment, prohibit this practice, you with the whole system. It is en- render public religion a matter of forced in the moral law of ten indifference, or you destroy it. Such commandments, as delivered from a repeal or prohibition implies an Mount Sinai; introduced in the absurdity; which cannot be said of midst of the positive institutions; the repeal or prohibition of any ceand enforced by temporal punish-remonial precept. The honour and ments to be executed by civil au- worship of God, the interests of thority. This shows its importance; religion and morality, and the best and evinces that it partakes of the happiness of mankind, would be excellency of the moral law; forms inadequately provided for, without an eminent part, and is fundamental such an observance. to the maintenance of, all instituted III. We cannot, indeed, from the worship; is typical of, and prepa- reason and nature of things, demonratory for, the heavenly Sabbath; strate, that exactly one day in seven, and on every account is proper to and neither more or less, is required be enforced by the authority of the for this moral duty. But the plain magistrate, who may not draw his matter of fact, that God hath under sword to propagate systems of doc- every dispensation allotted that protrine or formulas of worship, but portion invariably, amounts to the who may and ought to use his au- fullest demonstration, that infinite thority to repress immorality and Wisdom judged it the best possible. profaneness, and to promote the And experience proves, that the public worship of God in the land. conscientious observance of this The substance of this commandment proportion does not interfere with is of a moral nature. To separate the advantageous management of either agriculture, manufactures, or *The pains taken, by express edicts and commerce; is exceedingly favourby a new division of time, in a neighbouring nation, to form an exception to this able to the cause of liberty and hurule, by men who are avowed enemies to manity; tends greatly to civilize Christianity, may help to show the force mankind as social creatures; and

of this argument.