Indeed, the all-wise God does not discover to him all the depravity of his heart at once, as this would sink him into despair. He feels, however, more and more of it as he proceeds. He is still deceived by its vain pretensions, bewildered by its perpetual inconstancy, and distressed by its evil propensities. "Woe is me," is his language, "that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar." Ps. cxx. 5. He sustains a painful conflict, mourns that he serves his Lord with such little fervor, struggles hard with his powerful inbred foes, labors for a greater conformity to the divine will, and prays that he may still persevere in the midst of all that opposition which arises not only from outward evils but internal depravity.

As he advances in his journey heavenward, he experiences the vanity, mutability, and emptiness of the world. His understanding being enlightened, he sees the excellency of, and his will being renewed, he possesses a taste for, those divine things which are so far superior to all earthly good. He has, indeed, the same natural feelings in common with others; is a creature of the same wants; requires the same supports, and is capable of the same enjoyment of temporal blessings, as those around him; yet he is taught to view all these things in a different light to what they do who place all their felicity in them. While they make them their portion, he gratefully considers them as the little comfortable accommodations by the way; while they idolize them on the

Like

one hand, or abuse them on the other, he uses them with caution, and passes on. He remembers that he is in a world that can not constitute his happiness; a world where all things are fading away; a world never designed to be his perpetual abode, or final happiness. Yea, he has been convinced, by his own experience, of the impropriety of placing confidence in creature comforts, or sublunary good. others, he has been tempted at times to sit down by the way; to listen to the fascinating but deceptive song of the prosperous worldling; and to imagine that yet celestial flowers were to be gathered on earthly ground. But, like Jonah, he has no sooner looked with complacency on his gourd, and beheld with pleasure the comforts around him, than he has espied a worm at the root, and heard the voice of Providence commanding him to depart. I find then, says the Christian, that this is a wilderness, where the bitter streams are continually flowing; a world deceitful in its prospects, uncertain in its enjoyments, and fallacious in its promises. Here (continues he) how soon are the finest schemes frustrated; the lofty superstructure, raised by care and industry, dashed to pieces; the most lovely objects unexpectedly torn away; happy connections dissolved, and the most promising appearances exchanged for disappointment and sorrow! And shall I rest here? Here, among ruins, tempests, robbers, and a thousand evils! Can there be any thing in the complaints of the living, the groans of the afflicted, the uneasiness

of the rich, the disappointments of the multitude, and the wickedness of man, to invite me to take up my abode here? Rather, Lord, enable me to go forward; and, while I use the world without abusing it, keep my eye on that inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away.

Another thing which belongs to the Christian's experience is his view of sin, as that which defiles his nature, and which he considers so offensive in the sight of God. Men in general, indeed, acknowledge not only that sin has entered into the world, but that its tendency is evil and destructive. But this is nothing more than the bare assent of the understanding to the fact. The belief of it makes no impression; they still go on in their sin. Conscience, reason, law, gratitude, are all sacrificed for the pursuit of it; and indeed it forms one of the most awful sights in the universe to behold a feeble, defenceless, miserable creature, as man is, constantly insulting the Almighty, while, at the same time, he is convinced he is doing wrong. Such, however, is his conduct; and as he knows by experience the forbearance of God, he endeavors to reason himself into the belief that God will always forbear, and thus, "because sentence against an evil work is not speedily executed, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." Ecc. viii. 11. sin is not thus indulged, nor divine goodness thus abused, by the righteous. The sacred flame of di vine love having been kindled in his heart, every

But

thing which appears to him as inimical to the will of God, fills him with horror. Convinced of the holiness of the divine nature, the spirituality of the law, and the evil there is in sin, he beholds it with the utmost detestation. He knows, too, that it is sin that interrupts his peace, damps his joy, and causes him to go mourning in the way. This is the burden he is laboring under from day to day; and though he is made free from it as to its reigning power, yet it remains, and so taints all his works, so enervates his spiritual powers, so retards his progress, as often to make him doubt his interest in the love of God. Here it is that the real Christian is distinguished from the boasting pharisee, the formal professor, and the deceiving hypocrite. These are characters who, though they visit the temple of the Most High, engage in external acts of devotion, and call themselves the disciples of Jesus, yet, alas! never feel sin to be their burden, never lament over it in secret, nor indeed ever see its defiling nature. But the convinced mind—that mind which is truly broken and contrite-is overwhelmed with shame, and at times scarcely dares look up to the Almighty; so powerful is the conviction, and so just is the view which it has of sin. Hear the confessions of the true penitent: "Woe is me, I am undone. Unclean, unclean. I have sinned: what shall I do unto thee, O thou Preserver of men! I am a sinful man, O Lord. To me belongeth confusion of face. My sin is ever before me. I have sinned, and am no more

Hear his prayers:

worthy to be called thy son." "Take away mine iniquity, Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me. Let not sin have dominion over me. Pardon mine iniquity, for it is great. Have mercy on me, O Lord." Hear his determinations: "I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will run the way of thy commands. I will love thee, O Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer." Isa. vi. 5. Job vii. 20. Luke v. 8. Hos. xiv. 1. Ps. li. 10. Ps. cxix. 133. Ps. xxv. 11. Ps. ci. 2. Ps. cxix. 32.

But the experience of the Christian would be sad indeed, did he not find something adequate to his wishes, and calculated to support his mind under these views of himself, of the world, and of sin. Here it is, then, that he is led to embrace the Gospel as the only true remedy. Condemned by the law, oppressed with a sense of his depravity, sensible of the imperfection of his own righteousness, he is taught by the Divine Spirit to look to Jesus as his refuge. Here his burden is removed, his fears subside, his hope brightens, and his soul is set at happy liberty. Here, reposing under the shade of the cross, he admires and addresses his Saviour: "Blessed Immanuel, thou art the object of my regard: it is thy blood that cleanses from all sin: to thee I look for salvation on thee I depend for my present happiness and future safety. Here let me dwell for ever, viewing thee as my great High Priest: while I live,