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count of them.* Whoever firmly believes this, and duly estimates his obligations, will consider his time, health, abilities, wealth, influence, authority, as no longer his own, to be disposed of according to his natural inclinations, or for his own reputation; but as Christ's, to be made use of, according to his commands, and for his glory: thus he is distinguished from those who "will not have Christ to reign over "them;" and from those who call him Lord, but will not obey him: and his faith appears to work by love of Christ, of christians, and of all men. Yet, considering his obligations and his prospect of a glorious recompence, he will count all his services little, and will be ready for any expensive or self-denying obedi ence, to which he may be called. But while he obeys his Master in those liberal actions, which the world approves; he must also do his will in many things that disgust multitudes; as they tend to criminate their conduct, and as they run counter to all their maxims and fashions. For, the servant of Christ must please his Master, and cannot often please men also; nor must he call good evil, or evil good, out of complaisance to the sentiments of his neighbours.

The judgment which the believer has formed of the end, for which he is continued in this present world, has also much influence upon his conduct. After he has obtained a comfortable persuasion of his acceptance with God, he is generally left to spend some years in this world of sin and sorrow; but he is a stranger on earth, and is travelling forward to his

* Mark xiii. 34-37.

home in heaven. He does not, therefore, consider the acquisition of wealth, the enjoyment of ease and earthly pleasure, or the attainment of honour or authority, as the end for which his life is continued: his ambition is fixed upon nobler objects. Here he is called upon to glorify God, and to do what good he can to mankind; and all other concerns appear in his view mean and inconsiderable, if they do not, in some measure, subserve these great designs. At the same time his life is rendered comfortable by peace of conscience, and communion with God; by the pleasure of doing his will, and being useful; and by the hope and earnest of heavenly felicity: and he only counts life a blessing, because introductory to a happier state: he desires to consider death, (though terrible to nature,) as the termination of all his conflicts and trou bles, and to do every thing with reference to his latter end. These were principles, which abode in the mind of that person, whose character is here proposed as an example, to those especially of his own line and rank in life.

Another doctrine of the Scriptures, which we must not omit to mention, as firmly believed by our late friend, and as essential in forming that character, which hath been described; is that of our entire dependence on the influences of the Holy Spirit, in every thing that relates to the knowledge and practice of true and spiritual religion.-It cannot be expected, that within the compass of one discourse, any regular defence can be made of all the great doctrines of christianity; much less that all the profane objections often made to them can be answered: but it would be

an inexcusable omission, if something were not spoken very explicitly upon this most important subject; which is so far removed from the contemplation of men in general, and does such violence to the worldliness of all their ideas, that it is no wonder they should count the very mention of it enthusiastick; however insisted on in the Bible, and in the excellent liturgy of our church; and however consistent it is proved to be with true and enlightened reason.

Let any one reflect on that part of the character we have delineated, which relates to his devotional duties; and if this be admitted as a real and essential part of religion, the reasonableness, and even the necessity, of believing this doctrine must be undeniably evinced. For why should a man employ himself so earnestly in the exercises of devotion, or indeed why should he pray at all for any of those things, which relate to the improvement of his heart, if he denies that such inAuences of the Spirit of God are to be expected, and supposes, he can do all that is requisite by his own unassisted power and resolution?

The prayers which we offer to the Lord, "to cre"ate in us a clean heart, and to renew a right spirit "within us," are, next to our praises and thanksgiv. ings, by far the most spiritual part of our religious worship, and accord most to the patterns of devotion contained in the scriptures; and if these were expunged, we should have scarcely any thing to ask, which could decidedly distinguish the spiritual prayers of a true christian from the carnal and selfish desires of an ungodly man. The sincerity and reality of our devotions, (if indeed we ask for spiritual blessings,) must

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therefore entirely depend on our conviction, that we need the assistance which we crave, and that we may expect it upon the warrant of God's word: and the coldness and inattention, which so many feel when they affect to pray, necessarily arises from, and must always accompany, their unbelief in respect of this doctrine. For how can they ask any thing of God in good earnest, who consider it as no part of christianity to believe, that he will bestow it upon them? Unless men will therefore condemn all prayer for spiritual blessings as irrational; they cannot consistently blame the belief in the Holy Spirit of God, as the Author of all true wisdom and holiness in real christians. On the contrary, it is necessary, to give any meaning to our prayers, that we should be firmly established in this faith and expectation.

Indeed we do not want the assistance of the Holy Spirit for many outward performances, that are counted good and honourable in the false estimation of mankind; but that spiritual knowledge of religious truth, and that holiness of heart, which are essential to, and inseparably connected with, salvation, entirely proceed from his sacred influences, as the Scripture abundantly testifies.-Except a man be born of water, and "of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of "God."—" If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, "he is none of his: and as many as are led by the Spi"rit of God, they are the sons, (or children,) of God." "That" without holiness no man shall see the Lord," is one plain testimony of Scripture; and that the Holy Spirit of God is the Author of all true holiness in any of our fallen race, is a doctrine equally laid down

there. Holiness consists in conformity to the image and law of God, to the perfect example of Christ, to the dispositions of angels, and to the employments and pleasures of heaven. He who deeply meditates on these subjects, will evidently perceive, that he is not in himself holy, and that he cannot make himself so. Yet is this state of the heart as necessary to happiness, as the forgiveness of our sins, and our reconciliation unto God. The recovery of fallen man to holiness, or to a spiritual and heavenly state of the understanding, judgment, will, affections, imagination, memory, and conscience, is the work of the Holy Spirit. The good dispositions and actions, which spring from thence, are called "the fruits of the Spirit;" and the Holy Spirit is promised to be given, for these purposes, to them that ask for this blessing in the name of our heavenly Advocate. But till a man be convinced of this, and apply for them in earnest prayer, he cannot so much as seek holiness, in the way prescribed by the word of God.

Again, he who knows how dependent he is on that sacred Influence, will be afraid of grieving, or quenching, the Spirit by evil tempers, by selfishness, or sinful indulgences; and will be excited to a watchfulness and circumspection in his words and works, which is little conceived of by those, who deny or neglect this doctrine: he will become more careful to cherish, and comply with, all holy emotions and affections, more diligent in attending on the means of grace, and more cautious in shunning all places and companies, which counteract the influences of this sacred Comforter. And doubtless this persuasion and dependence tended

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