on the vitals of true religion, whatever attempts be made to exclude or eradicate them.

5. Through ignorance of the law, real christians habitually neglect duties, commit sins, or give way to evil tempers, to the discredit of the gospel, and to the hindrance of their own fruitfulness, comfort, and growth in grace. It has frequently happened, that ministers have heard some of their people acknowledge, after receiving practical instructions, that they had not before been sensible, that such or such things were sins; or that this or the other was a duty incumbent on them: nay, the meditation on such subjects has sometimes the same effect on the ministers themselves. The knowledge of the precepts, therefore, is the proper method of rendering believers complete in the will of God "in all wisdom and spiritual under"standing," and in bringing them "to walk worthy "of God unto all pleasing;"* and consequently, inattention to it must proportionably produce the contrary effects.

Lastly. The Scriptures frequently speak concerning the excellency of God's commandments, in the most emphatical language; and with great earnestness, exhort men to abound in the work of the Lord, and to be zealous of good works: yet many, who profess or preach evangelical truth, speak little on these subjects, except in a depreciating manner: and hence additional prejudices are excited against the doctrines of

* Col. i. 9, 10.

grace, as subversive of holy practice. But if the nature, use, excellency, and necessity, of good works, as the fruits and evidences of true faith, were more fully understood; and the perceptive part of the Bible, in subserviency to the gospel, were more prominent in men's discourses and conduct; such objections would be confuted; and they would "be put to "shame, who should falsely accuse" either our holy doctrine, or "our good conversation in Christ Jesus."

ESSAY XVI.

On the Believer's Warfare and Experience.

THE sacred Scriptures always represent the true christian as a soldier engaged in an arduous warfare with potent enemies, against whom he is supported, and over whom he is made victorious, by the gracious influences of the Holy Spirit, through faith in the Lord Jesus, the Captain of our salvation, and by obedience to his commands. Such expressions as fighting, striving, and wrestling; with frequent and varied allusions to military affairs, imply an experience essentially different from that of those persons, who ne ver engaged in the conflict, or who have already obtained the conqueror's palm: nor can any hope, or even assurance, of victory and triumph, or any intervening seasons of peace and joy, entirely preclude this difference. The distinction therefore, between the church militant on earth, and the church triumphant in heaven, has on good grounds been established; and they who do not well understand and consider it, are very liable to fall into several injurious, discouraging, disgraceful, or even fatal mistakes. In discussing this subject, we may first briefly consider the distinguish

ing principles, purposes, and desires of the persons who are engaged in this warfare:-enumerate the enemies, with whom especially they are called to contend:-briefly mention the encouragements, supports, and aids vouchsafed them; the weapons with which they fight, and the manner in which they put on and use their armour:-advert to the nature and effects of their victories; and conclude with a few hints on the appropriate experience that must result from their situation.

1. Then, we speak not in this place of the whole multitude who are called christians, or who profess to believe the Scriptures: neither do we include all, who hold or dispute for the several doctrines, which form the grand peculiarities of the christian faith; nor the whole company who compose any peculiar sect or denomination, to the exclusion of others. In respect of all collective bodies, we are, alas! constrained to allow, that but few comparatively "strive to enter in at the "strait gate."* A vast majority of all frequent "the "broad road that leadeth to destruction," "hold the "truth in unrighteousness," and "walk according "to the course of this world." Many indeed observe Gamaliel's cautious advice, and are not openly united with those," who fight against God:" but they aim to observe an impracticable and inadmissible neutrality, and know nothing of 'fighting under the banner ' of Christ against the world, the flesh, and the devil, 'and of being his faithful soldiers-to the end of

Matt. vii, 15, 14. Luke xiii. 23–30.

'their lives;' unless they have read or heard of it, in the form of baptism, or have been taught it from some orthodox catechism. But the persons of whom this Essay treats, are those of every name, who, by "obeying the truth," have been "made free from "sin, and become the servants of God." Most of them remember the time, when they 66 were foolish, disobedient, deceived; serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another: "* but "God, who is rich in mercy, of his great love, wherewith he loved them, " even when they were dead in sin, hath quickened "them." Thus "being born again, not of corrupti"ble seed, but of incorruptible," they were enlightened to see something of the glory of God, the evil of sin, the value and danger of their souls, and their need of mercy, grace, and salvation. They were ef fectually warned to flee from the wrath to come, and led to repent and turn to God, to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, to renounce their former hopes, and to believe in Christ, that they might be justified by faith. Having been thus taught "to count all but loss, "for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ," they are prepared to deny themselves, bear the cross, labour, venture, suffer, and part with all, for his sake. In this manner they have been "delivered from the

power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom "of the beloved Son of God;" they separate from his enemies, and join themselves to his friends; they throw down the arms of their rebellion, and "put on