evil notions and practices, has been the ground of deception with many persons. The Pharisee's piety was chiefly of this kind--" God, I thank thee that I am not as other men, &c." Some who have received a religious education, and been preserved from breaking out into gross sins are deceived by this negative goodness, and very often this circumstance renders their case more dangerous and alarming, as they are ever ready to say with the young man in the gospel, "All these have I kept from my youth up, what lack I yet?"

In the second place it may be noticed that the work of the Spirit in its first and indeed in its subsequent operations, has respect chiefly to inward, and not so much to outward things. Converse with the poor awakened soul, and see the burdeu of his complaint. Suppose his past life to have been ever so regular and free from immoral practices, does this afford him a foundation on which to build? Far otherwise, perhaps he sees with much grief of heart, that abominable pride and hypocrisy which actuated all his performances, and he is now convinced that the God with whom he has to do, looketh upon the heart, and cannot be deceived. Follow him to his places of retirement (for he will be found in secret places,) and listen to the eause of his grief, and you shall find him lamenting over a hard, unbelieving, and therefore a wicked heart. Often in this state, it may be that not even a tear can be produced by all the struggles of nature. And the awakened sinner knows, as assuredly as he knows his own existence, that it is not within the compass of his power to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and to rest upon him alone for salvation. No, he would give ten thousand worlds were they at his command, to obtain this precious grace. He finds that faith is the gift of God, and that he has forfeited all right and title to his favour.

But the word of the Lord informs him, that Jesus is exalted a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance and remission of sin. This promise buoys up his drooping spirits and encourages his hope. At other times he may be tossed between hope and fear until he is disposed to give up all for lost-it is then he is thoroughly convinced that if he is ever saved, it must be by an act of sovereign grace through the mercy of God in Christ Jesus. Reader, have you ever known any thing of these heartbreaking exercises? If you have, you will perceive that this description, or any other that can be given, comes far short of the reality. If you have not experienced these things, then are we speaking to you in a language which you do not understand.

Again, the awakened sinner feels conscious that his convictions for sin and penitent distress, are not disproportioned to his case. And this impression is often so strong, that he even grieves and laments in language like this,

"Such grief as mine, a griefless grief,

Did ever any mortal share!"

Another trait in these exercises, and what frequently distinguishes them, is, a fear lest his convictions should wear off, without the desired end being accomplished. Alas! when we see men running to the world and vain amusements, for relief, with the arrows of conviction sticking fast in them, what a lamentable spectacle do they exhibit!

The manslayer under the law has appeared to us to be a striking emblem of the awakened sinner.He knew it was not enough to have set out towards the city of refuge-there would be no safety until he was within its gates. So is it in this case, all reliance upon duties, prayers, &c. must be abandoned. There is but one place of safety, and thither, all the desires and endeavours of the poor sinner

are directed. "O," said David, "that some one would give me to drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate." O, saith the poor, longing, weary and desponding soul, that I could believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and rest upon him. In this situation it is worthy of remark, that outward, or worldly circumstances make very little difference-one only excepted—that is, if the immediate connexions of the person, say a father, mother, wife, husband, &c. should be hostile to this work, and set themselves to fight against God-O how dreadful the thought! How endangered are these-let all such know assuredly, that without a change of heart, and deep and bitter repentance," the hottest hell will be their place."

When the soul is under conviction, how busy is Satan, if haply he may frustrate the birth of this man-child. How will he scatter the fiery darts and often set the poor soul all on flame! How will he suggest to the imagination (which is at such a time, little better than his work-shop) such things as will make the soul shudder and abhor itself.How will Satan insinuate that to read the word of God is useless, and he too often succeeds in discouraging the soul from attending to this important duty. Ye who have been made to feel fiery darts of this wicked adversary, are not ignorant of his devices. You well understand what it is to be in heaviness through manifold temptations, and it is your duty to pray for such. Surely "ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

When the soul is sufficiently humbled, and driven from its false hopes, and when that great idol selfwill, with its attendants, pride and self-conceit, begin to totter, and the poor self-condemned, helpless creature gives up all for lost, and is brought to cry save Lord or I perish," in these circumstances

the sun of righteousness arises with healing in his beams, and the Lord shews himself mighty to save. No language can describe the sensations of the poor, weary, tempted and tossed soul, when by faith it is enabled to rest on the blessed Redeemer.

We have never been inclined to favour the opinion, that assurance is of the nature of faith, or that a strong confidence in the safety of our own state, constitutes the highest enjoyment in religion. On the contrary we believe that it frequently happens, that under the most pleasing and soul-satisfying views of gospel truth and the excellency and suitableness of the glorious Redeemer, the soul is unconscious of any appropriating act of faith, and yet rejoices with joy unspeakable and full of glory. It is not our design to exclude a due regard to the recompense of reward to which Moses had respect, and which must greatly tend to the encouragement of the suffering and afflicted people of God, under their distresses; but does it follow that such selfish considerations must necessarily be the life and spring of the christian's highest enjoyments, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and the love of God shed abroad in the heart. We were almost ready to say to those who would offer us such mercenary comforts, "thy money perish."

We have already spoken of some of the exercises of the awakened sinner, previous to, and at the time of his receiving Christ; we come now to mention some of the views and exercises of christian experience.

And first, we say, that the christian has, in reference to God and divine things, but one purpose and aim. This in some respects, resembles the magnetic needle, which may in a variety of ways be drawn aside, yet its principle and tendency remain the same. An officer who exposes his life in the service of his country, and who has no interests but in subserviency thereto, may nevertheless, by an unguarded step or unwatchful conduct, be surprized and taken prisoner. Yet although he may have cause to censure himself, he may have no cause whatever of self-reproach on account of his want of true attachment to his prince or country. So we conceive is the case of the humble believer, he is aware of his own weakness, and the power and malice of his numerous adversaries. The world, the flesh, and the devil, constitute a truly formidable resistance to his progress Zion-ward. But all the opposition he meets with from without, he esteems as trivial, compared with the body of sin and death he feels within. Here is the fountain of the great deep, which, though broken up, never ceases to cast forth mire and dirt. Alas! poor trembling believer, you have abundant cause to groan, being burdened. Your greatest enemies are those of your own house your own heart; and no prospect of getting a complete deliverance from their raging power: well may you say, "The storm would cease

could I but cast this troublous Jonah overboard." But this you cannot do. And is there then no hope? "Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

But there is another ground of encouragement, and that is, "There remaineth a rest for the people of God." This is joyful tidings to the poor, weary, war-worn soldier; he is hastening to a kingdom prepared for him, "There the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest. There the