awaken and convince; he therefore went, what he considered to be, the straightforward road to it. He did not conceal the promises of the Gospel, but they did not constitute the chief topics of his preaching to men whom he wished to rouse. Judging by the success attending his labours, which arose, there is reason to believe, from the great plainness and fidelity with which he warned men, instead of censuring, it would be well to imitate the style of his preaching.

He was never afraid of carrying the warmth and energy of his appeals too far. He often complains of his own coldness, but never of the excess of his zeal. The charge of fanaticism gave him no concern. Knowing the terrors of the Lord, he cared nothing for the displeasure or the frown of men, but made it his grand concern to be found faithful. To win souls was his object; the gaining of them was his reward. Nor did he lose his aim. If few men have laboured harder, or under greater bodily suffering, or more severe reproach, few, indeed, have enjoyed a richer reward. In the many fruits of his labours, he could exult even while on earth; they now constitute his crown of rejoicing in heaven.

CHAPTER IV.

WORKS ON CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE.

Introductory Remarks- Right Method for settled Peace of Conscience — Colonel Bridges-- The Crucifying of the World 'Thomas Foley, Esq.Treatise on Self-Denial'-'Obedient Patience - Life of Faith '-' Knowledge and Love compared '-Sir Henry and Lady Diana Ashurst—' God's Goodness Vindicated'-Various Discourses- Cure of Melancholy '—Baxter's Experience among Persons thus afflicted-Conclusion.

IF the works noticed in the preceding chapter, show how admirably qualified Baxter was for dealing with the unconverted, and how powerfully and successfully he directed his energies to benefit them, the present chapter will bring before the reader, a class of books which equally illustrates his capacity for instructing and edifying Christians, and shows that this branch of the Christian ministry was cultivated by him no less than the former.

When a sinner has been converted from the error of his ways, only the first step has been taken towards the kingdom of heaven. His knowledge probably extends but to the merest elements of religion; or to those first truths, which as they are the simplest, so are they the most powerfully calculated to interest the understanding, and engage the affections. His perceptions of the extent of his wretchedness and danger, and of the divine suitableness of Heaven's plan of recovery, comprehend, perhaps, all that is true, and yet embrace but a narrow range. As he becomes familiar with these, he perceives their connexion with other subjects, more difficult and complex. His mind requires fresh excitement to counteract its natural bias, to prevent its return to

former pursuits and habits, and to carry it on in the new course into which it has been led.

But new discoveries of truth, and of the way of righteousness, are not the only discoveries which a man comes to make in the' progress of Christianity. He makes discoveries of the depravity, and deceitfulness of his heart, for which he was not at first, perhaps, at all prepared; which astound and perplex him, lead: him to question his own sincerity, the reality of the change which he supposes had taken place in his mind; and thus bring him into deep distress. His conscience is wounded, his spirits. are depressed, and his confidence in the adaptation of the Gospel remedy, or in his right to use it, is very considerably abated.

Much skill is required in the treatment of persons in this state. Severity or tenderness, when unduly or improperly exercised, may be almost equally injurious. The one may create: despondency and desperation; the other may soothe and quiet a wound without healing it. In some cases it is necessary to apply a sedative, in others a stimulus. The sensibility of some is: quicker than their understandings; the judgment of such must be informed. In other cases the mind is sufficiently enlightened, but the conscience is not properly under its guidance; the moral faculties of such must be the chief object of attention. Some instructors, like quacks in medicine, have a spiritual panacea for every case. This they apply without judgment or discrimination, healing some, and killing others; but in both the professions, while the cures are magnified and blazoned, we hear as little as possible of the deaths which are inflicted.

Christianity is perfectly adapted to all the diversified forms of evil which can or do occur among men. If it were not, it would not be what the Scriptures represent it-the fruit of Jehovah's highest wisdom, the profoundest display of his goodness to creatures; and therefore worthy of the reception of every human being to whom it is addressed. Hence the great business of the Christian ministry, in relation to believers, is,

CHAPTER IV.

WORKS ON CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE.

Introductory Remarks- Right Method for settled Peace of Conscience ’– Colonel Bridges-- The Crucifying of the World'-Thomas Foley, Esq."Treatise on Self-Denial'-'Obedient Patience '-' Life of Faith '-'Knowledge and Love compared '-Sir Henry and Lady Diana Ashurst- God's Goodness Vindicated '—Various Discourses—' Cure of Melancholy'—Baxter's Experience among Persons thus afflicted-Conclusion.

If the works noticed in the preceding chapter, show how admirably qualified Baxter was for dealing with the unconverted, and how powerfully and successfully he directed his energies to benefit them, the present chapter will bring before the reader, a class of books which equally illustrates his capacity for instructing and edifying Christians, and shows that this branch of the Christian ministry was cultivated by him no less than the former.

When a sinner has been converted from the error of his ways, only the first step has been taken towards the kingdom of heaven. His knowledge probably extends but to the merest elements of religion; or to those first truths, which as they are the simplest, so are they the most powerfully calculated to interest the understanding, and engage the affections. His perceptions of the extent of his wretchedness and danger, and of the divine suitableness of Heaven's plan of recovery, comprehend, perhaps, all that is true, and yet embrace but a narrow range. As he becomes familiar with these, he perceives their connexion with other subjects, more difficult and complex. His mind requires fresh excitement to counteract its natural bias, to prevent its return to

former pursuits and habits, and to carry it on in the new course into which it has been led.

But new discoveries of truth, and of the way of righteousness, are not the only discoveries which a man comes to make in the' progress of Christianity. He makes discoveries of the depravity. and deceitfulness of his heart, for which he was not at first, perhaps, at all prepared; which astound and perplex him, lead him to question his own sincerity, the reality of the change which he supposes had taken place in his mind; and thus bring him into deep distress. His conscience is wounded, his spirits are depressed, and his confidence in the adaptation of the Gos-> pel remedy, or in his right to use it, is very considerably abated.

Much skill is required in the treatment of persons in this state. Severity or tenderness, when unduly or improperly exercised, may be almost equally injurious. The one may create: despondency and desperation; the other may soothe and quiet a wound without healing it. In some cases it is necessary to apply a sedative, in others a stimulus. The sensibility of some is quicker than their understandings; the judgment of such must be informed. In other cases the mind is sufficiently enlightened, but the conscience is not properly under its guidance; the moral faculties of such must be the chief object of attention. Some instructors, like quacks in medicine, have a spiritual panacea for every case. This they apply without judgment or discrimination, healing some, and killing others; but in both the professions, while the cures are magnified and blazoned, we hear as little as possible of the deaths which are inflicted.

Christianity is perfectly adapted to all the diversified forms of evil which can or do occur among men. If it were not, it would not be what the Scriptures represent it-the fruit of Jehovah's highest wisdom, the profoundest display of his goodness to creatures; and therefore worthy of the reception of every human being to whom it is addressed. Hence the great business of the Christian ministry, in relation to believers, is,