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ADDRESS TO THE SELF-CONFIDENT.

[SERM

to convince them, that they themselves, as well as Gentiles and wicked Jews, are included in these unrestricted charges. These appear to them hard sayings; because they deprive them of every plea, undermine the foundation of their hope, and exclude all boasting and self-preference.-But, if you have been used to reason and object in this manner, let me earnestly intreat and conjure you, seriously to answer the following questions :-Do you really think your own hearts, characters, and services to be more holy and excellent, than those of Job, Isaiah, Daniel, or Paul? Or do you suppose that your superior sanctity is proportioned to the difference of the language you use in speaking of your virtues and duties? If you cannot without affectation adopt their humiliating expressions, it must arise from one of these causes: either your conduct and character are far more holy than their's were; or they knew far more of God and of themselves, than you do. You are either much better men; or you are much less acquainted with those things, which are essential to a right judgment of characters and actions.

When the apostle said, "That God, who com"manded the light to shine out of darkness, hath "shined into our hearts, to give us the light of the "knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus

Christ;" he assigned the real cause of the lowly opinion, which eminent saints have ever entertained of themselves and a want of this divine illumination gives occasion for that favourable estimate which numbers form of their virtues and characters. If then this be the case, or if there be the least probability that it is so; would it not be wise in you, my friends,

to intreat the Lord, that he would "open your un "derstandings to understand the scriptures ?" and would it be improper for you frequently to meditate with fixed attention on the glorious perfections and holy commandments of God? Let me affectionately beseech you to compare the duties, on which you depend, with the standard of holy writ; to watch your own hearts, while engaged in religious duties; and to examine impartially your motives in those services, to which you annex some confused idea of merit, and that you hope will make amends, in part at least, for the undeniable defects of your character. A day ap❤ proacheth, in which every eye shall behold a far more glorious scene, than that which overwhelmed the mind of the prophet Isaiah. The divine Saviour will appear "in his own glory, and in the glory of the Father, "with all his holy angels," Then every action will be weighed in an impartial balance; every character fully made known; and every unpardoned transgressor struck dumb in the presence of his Judge; or only able to say, "Woe is me, I am undone !" while the awful words "Depart ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared "for the devil and his angels," shall fill him with terror and sink him into despair. But at present there is hope: and those discoveries of guilt which tend to humble us, and prepare us for welcoming the salvation of God, should be considered as inestimable mercies, the forerunners of "joy unspeakable and full of glory,"

2. But perhaps, these subjects have rendered you uneasy and dejected; and you have on that account deemed it best to divert your attention from them, and at any rate to keep on good terms with your own

62 ADDRESS TO SUCH AS STIFLE CONVICTIONS;

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consciences. You therefore neglect the scriptures, and such books, company, or preaching, as formerly disquieted you; and, hearkening to worldly counsellors, seek relief from diversions, indulgences, or a hurry of business; or perhaps try to dispel melancholy by a chearful glass. Thus numbers close their eyes against the light, because they hate it; till the Lord gives them up to judicial blindness!

My beloved fellow sinners, as you value your immortal souls, do not yield to such temptations. Do not shrink from the discovery of your real character and condition, while hope remains. The knowledge of the disease is the first step towards recovery: but a groundless imagination, that there is no danger, is the common prelude to an incurable prevalence of the malady. As reasonable agents, examine this matter with an accuracy and impartiality proportioned to its importance: that in case your confidence of safety should be found a mere presumption, you may now seek and obtain that inward satisfaction, which the prophet felt, when assured that "his iniquity was "taken away and his sin purged." Can you doubt, whether it be better to discover your danger now, or to remain strangers to it, till God shall call you to receive your eternal retribution?

But are any of you so deeply convinced of sin, as to be ready to say, "Woe is me, I am undone !" Let me caution you, my brethren, against desponding fears. The wreck and ruin of self-confidence makes way for evangelical hope. The Son of God came into the world to save sinners, to seek that which was lost, not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance, to

reconcile enemies by the blood of his cross, to receive gifts for the rebellious, to justify the ungodly, to sanctify the unholy: to give life to the dead, strength to the helpless, liberty to the captive, and felicity to the wretched. He invites all who are athirst, yea all that are willing, to come and buy of him the blessings: of salvation, without money and without price. “Him that cometh unto me," saith the Saviour, “E "will in no wise cast out." "Behold then the Lamb ❝ of God, that taketh away the sin of the world.” He is "the Author and Finisher of faith;" and he hath pointed out to you the proper way of seeking peace and salvation, in these most instructive and encouraging words; Ask and it shall be given you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth, and he "that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it "shall be opened'."

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But some hearers of the gospel are sufficiently confident that their sins are forgiven, and that they have' experienced that change which is described in the scripture: yet they are not disposed to say, "Here I

am, Lord, send me." They show no zeal for the honour of God; no readiness for self-denying services, no tokens of being constrained by the love of Christ to live as his devoted servants. It does not appear that their terrors were accompanied by humiliation and hatred of sin, or their comforts by the sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience. But let us all beware of this delusion; "for every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire."

Matt. vii. 7, 8.

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EXHORTATIONS TO TRUE BELIEVERS.

Finally, my Christian brethren, I beseech you by the mercies of God, to desire an increase of that spiritual knowledge which produces humility; but at the same time to watch against discouraging fears, while conscious of integrity in your professed faith and love, and your desire to honour the Lord by thankful obedience. For these indulged and needless apprehensions render the mind too feeble for active service, or patient' suffering; and they give your religion a forbidding and unamiable aspect. Let us therefore unite all our contemplations on other subjects, with frequent meditations on the mercy and grace of God our Saviour; be very careful not to grieve the holy Spirit by evil tempers or a selfish behaviour; and diligent in every means of grace. Above all let us pray without ceasing for such a sweet sense of the Lord's pardoning mercy and abun» dant grace, as may animate all our endeavours to show the holy tendency of our principles, and to make thofe "ashamed who would falsely accuse our good convér"sation in Christ."