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newing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ. It hence appears, that what is said of their being renewed, must respect their having been made partakers of the Holy Ghost. But if they had not been once renewed in this sort unto repentance, there could be neither sense nor propriety, in mentioning the impossibility of renewing them again, to that end. Nor does it obviate the force of this argument at all, to say, that their antecedent repentance might have been self

ness and divine beauty, which are seen and relished, in the word of God. Agreeing with this, said the Psalmist, I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. This language is, at times, adopted by all true believers, while contemplating the ineffable glories of the gospel. After all, can it be consistent with sound reason, and the things which the Holy Ghost teacheth, to admit, that tasting the good word of God, can mean nothing more than those unholy joys, which stony ground hearers experience in a mistaken view and applica-ish and unholy. This is absurd, tion of the truth, and while cherishing an hope, which must perish?

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not only on the ground, that they might have had this repentance, without being once renewOne argument still remains, ed, but this they might have support of the foregoing inter- again, though they should repretation, which, it is hoped, will main unrenewed; yea doubtless be considered with candor, and would, with eyes lifted up in torallowed its full weight. This is ments. Indeed, this is a species derived from the phrase, to re- of repentance, which needeth to new them again (palin) unto re- be repented of, and is, in its napentance. This clearly, and by ture, opposed to that which is fair construction, implies, that unto life. If, therefore, the rethey had been true penitents.-pentance, to which it is impossiTheirs was a repentance, to ble to renew men again, be that which they had been once renew-which is evangelical and saving, ed. There would otherwise, be doubtless that is of the same nano propriety in the mention of renewing them again. Being renewed, in a moral and scriptural application to men, always intends their spiritual renovation, that renewing of the inward man, which always lays a foundation for the exercise of holy love, and for that evangeli-ceeding from that sorrow of the cal and holy repentance, which world, which worketh death. is unto salvation. Hence the apostle speaks to the Col. iii. 9, 10, of putting on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of Him that created him.

ture to which they had been once renewed, antecedent to their falling away. To speak of renewing them again unto repentance, intending that which is unto life, would be very absurd, if that, of which they had once been subjects, were merely selfish, pro

It is apprehended that this argument derives some additional weight, from a natural interpretation of what immediately follows, as a reason why it is imTit. iii. 5, 6. According possible to renew them again to his mercy he saved us, by the unto repentance; seeing they cruwashing of regeneration, and re-cify to themselves the Son of God

afresh, and put him to an open shame. This crucifying afresh implies, that they had crucified him before they were brought to repentance. It farther implies, that when they were once

re

Thornton, Esq. of Clapham, near
London, which he inclosed in a
letter to the late Rev. Dr. Whee-
lock, in 1772,

Your friend and brother,
DAVID M'CLURE.

[THE Editors think that their readers may be pleased with the view of Christian Experience, given in this letter; especially as the writer was in civil life and high station; eminent for abilities and piety.]

Christian Experience exemplified in the following Characters,

A.

B. and C. in a course of sin, dissipation and worldly distraction, have been apprehended by the preventing grace of the Almighty; their faces have been turned toward Zion by the power of assisting grace, without any thing good in them, already or foreseen, to deserve such a distinguishing favor, but purely and solely by the sover

newed, and were thence enlight- | E. Windsor, Jan. 17, 1805. ened, in the manner explained, they crucified him no longer. But this they had never ceased to do, unless their repentance were genuine. All impenitents, whatever selfish sorrow they may have for sin, or selfish joy in the hope of salvation, are still guilty of crucifying the Lord of glory. All men, especially men under the gospel, who live in impenitence, are guilty of this, by reason of their opposition to Jesus and his kingdom. This sentiment is confirmed by his saying, He who is not with me, is against me; and he who gathereth not with me, scattereth abroad. If crucifying Christ may be construed to mean any thing, aside from the actual shedding of his blood, which will not be doubted, the guilt of it must be involved in being against him, and scattering abroad, ac-eign mercy of their great Creator cording to his meaning, in the use of these terms. Their practical language is, Away with him, let him be crucified :—we will not have this man to reign over us. Being guilty of this, afresh, clearly denotes that it is done a second time; and is thence analogous to what has been said of being renewed again unto repentance. It is some additional evidence, therefore, that the construction given to the whole passage is according to truth.

[To be continued.]

GENTLEMEN,

I SEND you the excellent and pious thoughts of the late John

and gracious Redeemer. They are all three now supposed travelling towards the heavenly world; all well apprized of the danger of sin, all convinced of the necessity of a change of heart and principles, all want an interest in the blood and righteousness of Jesus the Redeemer, all are the subjects of divine teaching, and probably will all at last get safe to glory.-A. labors under the terrors of conscience, awakened by the law; sees and feels the guilt of sin; is sensible that sin unpardoned will sink the soul into the bottomless pit; is afraid of the power, holiness and justice of God; can get no comfort from a reflection upon the goodness,

has been acquainted with the drawings and comforts of the Spirit: These have been withdrawn, and B. has had his doubts and fears again and again; and so far B. joins with A. In the fol

love and mercy of God; the law threatens its curse, guilt is troublesome, the heart is broken. -A. has recourse to prayer, pleads Christ, mentions his merits with very little knowledge of the value of them, a cloud is up-lowing particulars B. goes beon the understanding, doubts and fears possess the soul.-A. grows more earnest in prayer as he sees his danger to increase; feels at intervals some inward comfort, the drawings of the Divine Spirit; while these continue A. is happy, and thinks these to be comfortable tokens of divine favor, and knows not but these are the manifestations of Christ to his soul. These intervals are the zenith of A's happiness in his present state. These happy visits prove transitory; when they are gone, guilt and fears return, and A. suspects all to have been delusion-wants them again,looks upon them as necessary to salvation, and the highest evidence of divine favor that can be attained in this state of things.

yond or farther than A.-B. has been made sensible that inward comforts, without a foundation, are not to be depended upon: He has made further enquiry by prayer and reading the word, has seen in scripture that Jesus Christ and him crucified, is the only foundation and hope of a sinner has seen that justification, redemption and salvation are in and through Christ. These points he can speak of with tolerable clearness, having the infallible word for his guide. These are valuable discoveries; yet notwithstanding them all, B. wants something more; for doubts and fears arise, whether or not these blessings belong to him, though they are held out in scripture for sinners, as such. B. knowing the way of salvation from the word, begins to be more earnest for an assurance of it in his own heart. To this end are all his petitions now directedfor he is firmly persuaded there is more implied in the very let

A. has inward impulses and suggestions; but views the perfect righteousness of Christ as the only sure rest. These manifestations may be from the Holy Spirit, not given for A. to rest in, but refresh him by the way; to revive his dying hopes, that heter of scripture, especially when may be encouraged to seek further aids and influences of grace, and at last be brought to center all his hopes of salvation upon that sure foundation laid in Zion, the Lord Jesus Christ.-If A's work of grace is not a common, but an extraordinary one, this anchoring upon Christ will be the happy result in God's due time.

B. has been under the same conviction of sin with A.-B. has been brought to true repentance,

the riches of Christ and the privileges of his children are mentioned, than he has ever yet been acquainted with. Now he is in quest of blessings which he has had no experience of, consequently is much in the dark respecting their value, and how they are to be attained. B. waits at the throne of grace, an humble suppliant, and counts upon every fresh discovery of divine love; is thankful for all, but still continues sensible of a vacuum

or void in the soul, which he | Christ is frequently interrupted. wants to be filled up. In process He is now liable to a charge of of time, B. has a discovery or spiritual barrenness, deserves rerevelation of Christ, in a surpri-proof for neglecting his vineyard, sing fulness to his soul. What nor does he improve the talents he before saw in theory, he is committed to his own soul's hapnow certain of; for the blessings piness or the honor of his heavof Christ carry their own evi-enly Father. dence along with them; and he C. can join with A. respecting can, and does rejoice in the sal- conviction of sin; has been unvation of Jesus. He sees the der terrors, from an apprehenbible with new eyes; he sees sion of divine justice and holiness, the promises and feels them; knows all A's experience. C. sees Christ the wisdom and pow- can also join with B. in all his ater of God, and boasts in him as tainments-has had as clear a such. His affections are fixed, revelation of Christ to his own and all the powers of the mind soul as B.; has known the time are filled with admiration, won- of love, and felt the power of it; der and astonishment. In short, has as great regard for, and deB. sees enemies conquered, a pendence upon the faithfulness door of mercy opened, and him- of God in his word as B.; has self entered in at that door. He been zealous of good works as has got deliverance and rejoices B.; has also been equally sensiin it the bent of his soul is now ble of luke-warmness and indifto glorify God. B. from a ser- ference in spiritual things, even vant is become a son, and de- after the motives to obedience sires to walk worthy of his high | have been fully known; there is calling; he has fellowship and nothing that B. can say, but C. communion with God, is a burn- can join with him; can talk, aring and shining light; his words gue and reason about spiritual are with power, and all that matters, with equal perspicuity know him call him the blessed and clearness; is not a whit beof the Lord. B's views of things hind him in any matter. But are now as different from what here lies the difference between they were awhile ago, as one B. and C.-B. in his declining face can be from another; and state, has little more than a name he stands amazed at his former to live. C. will not rest without ignorance and stupidity. B. is feeling the power of spiritual life. now upon the mount, and all B. depends upon Christ's work. things go well with him; and C. does the same, but will have what is more, he really thinks a faith, also, purifying the heart, every enemy is destroyed.-Un-working by love, overcoming the happy for B. by very nice and subtile degrees he loses his first love, dwindles into luke-warmness, performs not duties with that vigor he was wont-the more immediate evidences of God's favor are withheld ;. his soul grows lean from day to day, and inward fellowship with I will be after obtaining the promVOL. V. No. 12.

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world, and drawing out of Christ's fulness, grace for grace. B.uses ordinances; C. will have fellowship with God in ordinances. B. is a branch in the true vine; C. must be a fruitful branch in the same vine. B. rests satisfied in the belief of the promises; C.

I i i

WHAT is the

kingdom of

ises. B. values his privileges; heaven? How did it

suffer violence from the days of John the Baptist? Who are the violent? And, how did they take the kingdom of heaven by force? A correct and intelligible answer to these questions may exhibit the principal ideas contained in the words.

C. enjoys them. B. is not always earnestly seeking the light of the divine countenance; C. is ever importunate for it; would not have one day pass without a glimpse of it. B. can mix with worldly company and suffer no great loss; C. is sensible of its loss, and mourns it. B. has a perfect robe of righteousness in What is the kingdom of Christ; C. has the same; but heaven? The kingdom of heavis earnest after inherent holi- en is the divine government or ness. B. views Christ as a Sav- kingdom set up by Christ, comiour and Deliverer from the guilt [prising the kingdom of grace of sin; but is not sufficiently ear-in this world, and of glory in the nest to be delivered from the world to come. Christ is the king, power of it. C. does the same, and his disciples or church the and yet further is earnest to break subjects. And the gospel, as its power, by copying after the preached by Christ and his speexample of Christ; wants to be cial ministers, contains and extransformed into the same image hibits the constitution of this in meekness, humility, love, self-kingdom, and the great charter denial, patience, and deadness to [of its rights and privileges-the the world. B. has a principle of engagements on the part of the grace; C. has that principle king to his subjects, as to the drawn out into more lively exer- care he will take of them, the cise. B's faith seldom sails into protection and security he will the sea of love; C's makes fre- afford them, the nature and manquent excursions there, and likener of his government over the ships of Tarshish, returns loaded with heavenly treasure. In short, B. is upon a right foundation; but builds little more than wood, hay, stubble; while C. builds gold, silver, precious stones, that will endure a fiery trial.

Explanation of Matthew xi. 12.

An attempt to explain and illustrate the principal ideas held forth in the words of Christ recorded in Matthew xi. 12. "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."

them, and the nature, extent and duration of the privileges and blessings which they shall enjoy. And in regard to the subjects, the gospel contains and exhibits the terms of admission into this kingdom, the duties required of them, the character they must maintain, and the manner in which they must conduct, in order to enjoy the privileges and blessings of true and faithful subjects.

The subjects of this divine kingdom constitute a society distinct from the world-widely different from every other society, kingdom or nation, in several respects; and particularly in the following. They all partake, more or less, of the spirit of

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