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inlet to all others. Nor could I plead the merits of Christ, for I was now convicted of sin as an unbeliever, and a stranger to the covenants of promise. I felt the truth of these words of Christ,

ter having been near ten days in this condition, one afternoon, I think on the 3d of July, I experienced what has ever since been cause of wonder to me. I seemed to experience immediate transition from darkness to light," No man can come unto me from misery to joy, &c.

except the Father who hath sent me draw him." I saw that I could do nothing but lie at the feet of sovereign mercy and beg, as a poor soul ready to perish, that God would draw me to his dear Son, and enable me to receive him as he is graciously offered to the chief of sinners.

In this situation I continued for several weeks, in the use of the means which God has graciously appointed. Sometimes, when I found satisfaction from

After this day something of that load of guilt and misery, which had lain so heavy upon me, seemed to be removed. I now began to have a gleam of hope that all was not lost. I remained, however, in much distress and anxiety, till I came to the place of my nativity, having been absent more than twelve years. Having been home eight days, taking up Boston's Four-fold State, which accidentally lay before me, I found some-reading the scriptures, praying, thing which immediately arrested my attention, and before I had read two pages, was almost convinced that God designed mercy for me, and was now about showing me the way. I continued reading that excellent book, I believe, till bed time, and next day resumed the perusal of it, which I continued to do till I had got through it. Encouraged by this, I began to entertain hopes of finding the only remedy for sin-sick souls.

&c. and that great part of the load of sin and shame which had lain so heavy upon me was removed; I was ready to conclude that I did believe in the Lord Jesus. At other times I would be alarmed to find my convictions abated, fearing I should wholly lose them, and with them all farther care for securing my everlasting well-being, and return again like the dog to his vomit. But adored be the author and finisher of faith, who was graciously pleased to put such helps into my hands, as that by his blessing my understanding was enlightened to see the excellency and beauty of the

I began now to read the scriptures with more caution and attention than I ever had been wont to do, and seemed to discover something of their importance. I began now to be encour-way of salvation through his aged, and to hope in God, and to pray to him in secret, confessing myself utterly unworthy his favor. I saw myself to be justly condemned by his righteous law, and had nothing to plead for my excuse in so long living in sinunderstanding. Well may the and unbelief, which I now saw to be the soul-destroying sin, and

dear Son. I was convinced that nothing short of infinite wisdom and almighty power could ever devise and execute such a plan. I saw that such condescension, mercy and love to man passeth all

angels desire to look into these mysteries. Yet though the un

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ceive him as I trust, with joy and thankfulness, that God should provide such a complete and allsufficient Saviour.

After thus giving up myself to the Lord Jesus, there seemed to be something yet wanting; I wanted to know assuredly that what I had done was approved of God. For this mercy I sent up many petitions, entreating the Lord that he would give me comfort and assurance in the promises. And as though the richest jewel in heaven was not to be denied such a poor wretch, pleased the Lord, as I think, to give me this also.

derstanding be enlightened to see the fitness of this plan, it appears to me from what I have experienced in my own case, there is a work of almighty power to be put forth to overcome the will and captivate it to an actual embracing of this salvation. For some weeks after. I was brought to acquiesce in the plan, in general, I was kept in a state of doubts and fears. But he who I trust had begun a good work in me was graciously pleased to carry it on, by giving me to see the necessity of an actual application of the Lord Jesus to our-it selves, by giving up ourselves to him in an everlasting covenant For on Lord's day, May 23, on the terms of the gospel.- 1790, after having spent the day This act I humbly conceive to with an unusual calmness and sebelong to the very essence of renity of mind, in reading the saving faith. To this actual scriptures, and acts of devotion, reception of my Lord and my about half an hour before sunset, God, the Father of mercies I as I was walking the room, ere trust brought me through the ever I was aware, it seemed to instrumentality of Mr. Flavel's me I was in the midst of GLORY! sermons, in which he seems to I looked around me to see if I throw the clearest light on the had been transported from the doctrines of grace. On read-earth, but finding myself suring in particular his sermon on rounded with the same objects Christ's solemn call and invita- as before; I stood still to consition to sinners to come unto der what it should mean. Lookhim, it pleased the Lord, by ing out of the window, every sending powerful conviction into thing wore a different aspect. my heart, to show me that all The trees being then in bloom, my former doubts and fears each leaf and blossom appeared were directly against the inter- to wear a smile of complacency, est of my soul, and that Satan and speak our Creator's praise. had in this way been making While thus standing in wonder use of my unbelieving heart to and amazement, Rom. vi. 1, was hinder me from coming to him brought to my mind in such a who has most graciously declar- manner as I never before expeed, saying, "Come unto me all rienced, being set home as with ye that labor and are heavy la- almighty energy on my soul. den and I will give you rest.” What shall we say then? Shall After this I was enabled cheer- we continue in sin, that grace may fully to prostrate myself at the abound? While remaining in throne of grace and give myself the same posture, Rom. viii. 15, up to him, who is called the 16, (For ye have not received the Lord our righteousness, and re- | spirit of bondage again to fear;

are still going on in trespasses and sins. O God of boundless love and compassion, have pity on such as are so far sunk in ignorance, blindness, and infidelity, as not to discover the infinite obligations they lie under to thee, as their continual preserver and benefactor, and who hast not withheld thine only Son, but deliveredst him up to be crucified and slain, that we rebels should live for ever. Lord, give them

but ye have received the spirit of
adoption, whereby we cry, Abba,
father. The spirit itself beareth
witness with our spirit, that we
are the children of God;) was
brought to my mind in the same
manner. And immediately Eph.
i. 13, 14, In whom ye also trust-
ed, after that ye heard the words
of truth, the gospel of your salva-
tion; in whom also after that ye
believed, ye were sealed with that
holy spirit of promise, which is
the earnest of our inheritance, un-hearts susceptible of light and
til the redemption of the purchased truth; and do thou, who com-
possession unto the praise of his mandedst the light to shine out of
glory.
darkness, shine into their souls,
to give the light of the knowl-
edge of the glory of God in the
face of Jesus Christ; to whom
with God the Father, and God
the Holy Ghost, be rendered as-
criptions of glory and honor, and
majesty, and dominion, for ever
and ever. Amen.

And

I stood no longer wondering what it should mean, but seemed convinced, by an intuitive knowledge, that it was none other than the Holy Spirit, sealing me to the day of redemption, and filling me with that peace and joy in believing, which passeth all understanding. lest some should think this was only a sudden flight of imagination, let me tell them this frame and temper continued most of the week in a very great degree, causing me frequently to shed floods of tears for joy, and being overcome with such astonishing grace!

April 15, 1794!

F. A.

From the Christian Observer.

Remarks on the Nature of Minis

terial Faithfulness, drawn from
the example of John the Bap-
tist.

CHR

YHRISTIANS in general, and the ministers of the gospel in particular, may derive some useful and important hints respecting the nature of ministerial faithfulness, from the account which is given in scripture of the preaching of John the Baptist. He is there character

Thus I have endeavored, thro' divine assistance, to give, though in a poor, weak, and incoherent manner, a few instances of the divine compassion towards the chief of sinners. And I do now beseech the Father of mercies, that he would be graciously pleased to cause his blessing to rest upon this attempt to show forth his praise, and proclaim the riches of free grace in Christised as a preacher of repentance; Jesus That he would cause it to be made subservient to the comfort of his children, and the awakening of some of those who

:

and he unquestionably was very
faithful in this duty. He an-
nounced, at the same time, the
approach of Jesus Christ, from

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whence it may be inferred, that | sect preferred, and the doctrines

the doctrine of repentance ought always to accompany the publication of the glad tidings of salvation.

on which they already dwelt confirmed by the prophet. " Is this, then, all that you have to say to us? Have we been at the pains of travelling thus far into the wilderness, in order merely to be told to part with one of our coats and with half of our meat to our poor neighbors? Is this the gospel? Can such an ordinary teacher be John the true

Repentance is not a popular topic. Nevertheless, a large congregation comes even into the wilderness to listen to John, and to be baptized of him. Does he proceed to flatter those who are there gathered round him? Does he intimate that the duty of re-prophet, the forerunner of him pentance, though neglected by who is to be the Saviour of the others, may be presumed to world?" have been already sufficiently "Then came also publicans to fulfilled by the generality of his be baptized, and said unto him, audience? Does he inveigh a-master, what shall we do? And gainst the absent, and spare his own hearers?"O generation of vipers," said he, "who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come;"-" say not within yourselves we have Abraham to our father;" boast not of your privileges as Jews; bring forth fruits meet for repentance"" for now is the axe laid to the root of the tree. Every tree, therefore, that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn ..down and cast into the fire."

The people after this awful warning draw near, and ask, what shall we do then? How does the Baptist reply? What doctrine of the gospel does he urge? Which of its essential truths does he unfold? His answer is," He that hath two coats let him impart to him that hath none, and he that hath meat let him do likewise."

he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you." The publicans were the tax-gatherers of those days, and they were notorious for extortion.

"And the soldiers likewise demanded of him saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely, and be content with your wages." The Roman soldiers were remarkable for their insubordination. A few of them were placed in each of the conquered provinces, where they committed perpetual acts of violence; and, in order to justify their rapacity, they raised many false accusations against the poor natives, whom it was their duty to protect. The prophet shewed remarkable courage in this last reply. Cæsar would not have dared to mul-administer the same rebuke to a party of soldiers. It would have endangered his throne. But the unarmed Baptist feared the face of no man; and with the same boldness with which he told king Herod that it was not lawful for him to have his brothΟ

I have no doubt that the tude were much disappointed by this reply. Probably many of them came to see some striking exhibition, and to hear some wonderful revelation; many, no doubt, hoped to have their present character approved, their VOL. VI. No. 3.

er's wife (a saying for which he was beheaded,) he uttered before the ferocious Roman soldiery those truths which, though every one knew, no one except himself ventured to declare to their face.

Zeal

It is

cannot make good. And, indeed, they ill understand both the gospel and their own hearts who have not learnt the importance of paying regard to circumstances of time and place; and who fancy that a zeal, which The diversity of these answers hurries them on in one strait unis a proof that John had consid- accommodating course, is charered the several vices of his acteristic of Christianity. hearers. Many a rebuke is mis- of this sort is soon learnt. placed, perhaps many a sermon easy to contend for any doctrines is without effect, on account of with vehemence, but it is not so its being ill-accommodated to the easy to bend our humor, and to case of the auditors. There are suit our conversation, to all the some who think it is sufficient variety of cases which come beto preach the gospel in general, fore us; to be mild when we or if they touch on repent- should be mild, and bold when ance, to treat of it in general, we should be bold; to speak without pointing out the partic- when we should speak, and to ular sins to be repented of. If be silent when it is more prua certain number of general dent to restrain our tongues. It truths are delivered, God, as is far more agreeable to human they assume, will bless his own nature to be always bold, or alword as far as he sees fit; and ways timid, or always talkative, should no good be done, the fail- or always silent, as our tempers ure is accounted for by God's may chance to be. It is also not having been pleased to add more pleasant to confine ourhis blessing. This may be partly selves to one doctrine, or to one admitted, but it may also hap-view of doctrines, than to direct pen that care has not been ta- our observations to the precise ken rightly to divide the word case of the auditors before us. of truth. The preacher may not It is more easy to give one anhave assailed his hearers on that swer to all men, than a separate side, on which they might have reply to the several individuals been attacked with most advan- who make their application to tage. He may have been gen- us. In the one instance a large eral, when he should have been acquaintance with human naparticular; or he may have beenture, a deep knowledge of our timid, when boldness would have own hearts, a great superiority become him; or possibly he may to prejudice, and a careful attenhave been bold even to rudeness: tion to the case before us, are he may have been too unmea-requisite; in the other, it is onsured in his words; he may, ly necessary to be furnished with in his heat, have charged some a few general truths, to have at sin on the conscience more ve- hand a certain stock of sayings hemently than the case admit- which may be learnt almost even ted; and thus instead of con- by rote. demning others, he may have stood condemned himself as a man who utters that which he

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The true preacher of the gospel will, especially, direct his aim against the reigning preju

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