conscience becomes an unquiet inmate, unless some way be taken to silence its remonstrances. Various methods have therefore been adopted of reconciling a worldly life with the hope of future happiness: and self-flattery, which palliates a man's vices and enhances the value of his supposed virtues, is a powerful coadjutor in this attempt. But among these plans perhaps no one is so cheap and convenient, as hearing and assenting to the gospel; if a man be able to persuade himself, that such a faith will save him. This requires less trouble and self-denial, than any other system while it helps him to ascribe that decency of conduct, which secular motives impose, to his religious opinions; and to deem all his omissions and transgressions defects, which are common to believers. A superficial hearer of the word may thus easily suppose, that he is in the way of salvation, while he lives in habitual disobedience to the known commandments of God: and when the faithful address of a minister shakes this vain confidence; the man may be seduced to charge the blame on the doctrine, and to shrink from conviction by going to those places, where smoother and more comfortable things are spoken. Could we therefore witness all that passes in the retirement, the family, and the dealings of those, who after a time forsake our ministry; we should perhaps not be at all surprised at losing them; though we must grieve to discover such awful self-deception. These are the sources of this evil, which will cer· tainly terminate in everlasting, ruin, unless it be previously discovered and remedied. #96 THE FORGETFUL HEARER. [SERM. IV. Then we consider the contrast here stated between the mere hearer, and the practical student of scripture. The word of God, that perfect law of liberty, through which the believer is freed from bondage and condemnation, is compared by the apostle to a mirrour; in which a man beholds the reflection of his person, and by which he may adjust every thing in his appearance after the most becoming manner. The mere hearer resembles one, who gives a transient look in this mirrour; but taking little notice of his appearance, and bestowing no pains to alter any thing in his attire, "he goes his way, and straightway forgetteth "what manner of man he was."-Thus many give a şlight attention to the truth, and get a transient glimpse of their own state and character: but they dislike the mortifying discovery, are uneasy under the fleeting conviction, and have no inclination for that repentance and conversion to which the scripture calls them. They therefore try to believe, that approbation and assent may suffice, and that the gospel does not require practice. They go and plunge themselves into business or pleasure, and soon forget their convictions: and thus remain ignorant of their accumu❤ lated guilt and urgent danger, and strangers to rege, neration, reconciliation to God, the life of faith, the sweet obedience of love, and all those things that accompany salvation. On the other hand, the man, who stedfastly looks into the scriptures, comparing all his conduct past and present, and even his thoughts, affections, tempers, XIII.] THE ATTENTIVE PRACTICAL HEARER. 297 motives, and words, with the holy law; who thus learns his whole duty to God and his neighbour, according to all his various relations and obligations; and who continues daily considering his ways, and contemplating himself in this faithful mirrour; will soon become acquainted with his own heart and character, and perceive his need of the mercy and grace proposed in the gospel. By persevering in this course of self-examination, without being offended by the discoveries he makes; he will speedily understand that he ought to humble himself before God, for sins morę numerous than the hairs of his head and experience will convince him, that he can neither atone for the least of his former transgressions, nor answer the righteous demands of the divine law; nay, that he can. not truly repent, except by the promised assistance of the holy Spirit. His daily efforts will bring him more and more acquainted with his sins of omission and commission, the defilements of his duties, the hidden evils of his heart, the strength of his depraved propensities, and the power of habits and temptations. These things will render him weary of attempting to "establish his own righteous 66 ness," or to change his own nature. He will now be capable of understanding the words of the apostle; By the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in "the sight of God, for by the law is the knowledge "of sin." The publican's prayer, "God be merciful "to me, a sinner," he will now most cordially adopt; and the nature, glory, and preciousness of the free salvation revealed in the gospel will be more and more unfolded to his view, Thus he will learn with #98 THE DILIGENT CHRISTIAN'S PROGRESS. [SERM. increasing simplicity to plead the name of Christ in genuine faith; to come to the Father by him, and to rely solely on his righteousness, redemption, and mediation, for acceptance and eternal life. In this manner the practical student of scripture, being justified by faith, and having peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, will make still further progress in the divine life. The convincing and enlightening influences of the holy Spirit, through the instruction of the written word, will continually discover to him defects and defilements in his dispositions and conduct, which he had not before observed. Thus while he presses forward and aspires after, nearer and nearer conformity to his perfect rule; repentance, faith, watchfulness, and fervent prayer will become more and more habitual, and as it were natural to him. His heart will grow more humble, and his conscience more tender, his dependence on Christ more simple, and his gratitude for redeeming love more abundant, in proportion to the degree of his sanctification. These things will render him likewise more compassionate, tender, forbearing, and forgiving; more patient and self-denying; and more ready to encounter dangers and difficulties, in promoting the cause of Christ among his fellow-sinners.-And as no absolute perfection can be attained on earth; and such a believer deems all faulty and deformed, which does not come up to the requirement of the holy law, and the spotless example of the Saviour: so no limits can be assigned to his discoveries and progress, during his continuance in this world, This is the character described by the apostle, << he XIII.] THE PRACTICAL TENDENCY OF THE GOSPEL. 299 "is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work; and "he shall be blessed in his doing." He is madę wise unto salvation, and shall" abound in hope by "the power of the holy Ghost:" he shall find liberty and pleasure in the ways of God; be made useful to society, and a blessing to his connections; and he shall "have an entrance administered unto him abundantly "into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 66 No man who duly considers these things, can doubt the practical nature and tendency of the gospel. Christ is our sole foundation: but no one builds on that foundation, except he hear his sayings, and do them. The practical hearer's faith is living; he is a wise man : and this will appear to all the world; when the folly of those who build upon the sand by a dead faith, by hearing and not doing, will be exposed to universal contempt. Alas, my brethren, how numerous are such nominal Christians; " who call Christ Lord, but "do not the things that he says!" But unless the design of the gospel be answered in our hearts and lives, the gospel itself will increase our condemnation.) Are any of you then sensible that your hearing has hitherto failed to influence your practice? Let me conjure you, by the love you bear to your own happiness, not to put off the alarming conviction, by saying 66 go thy way, at this time, when I have a convenient "opportunity I will call for thee." It is not yet too late. "Now is the accepted time, now "is the day of salvation:" But you know not how soon the master of the house may shut to the door; and then it will be too late to begin to say, |