their return; while many point to them and say, "This man began to build, but was not able to finish." Luke xiv. 30. Ah! how many have been wounded by this, and, for want of knowledge founded on experience at first, have so disgraced themselves as to be glad to retire again into the obscure vale, and to pass along unheard, unnoticed by their fellow travellers! Yea, what is worse, how many, by endeavoring to climb too high, have fallen down, and been dashed to pieces! Alas! on how many tombs may be read the inscription, "Here lie the remains of one who was killed for want of experience !"

We have now considered a few of those evils attendant on inexperience, and that not only as it relates to those who know nothing of religion at all, but as it respects the young Christian, and those who rest only in bare speculation or profession. We will now conclude this work by just making two or three remarks from the whole.

Let us all learn to examine ourselves, whether we be in the faith. Have we passed from darkness to light? Have we ever experienced the depravity of our hearts, and the bitterness of sin? Have we ever been led to see the vanity and insufficiency of the world to make us happy? Have we been enabled to take up our cross, and to follow the Saviour through evil as well as good report? Have we tasted that the Lord is gracious, renounced the world for his sake; and can we now say, that he is

our portion, and that we count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of him? These are solemn, interesting questions. Reader, put them to thy heart, and ask what is thy real state before God.

Let us learn to be wise from the inexperience of others. While we look around, and see the fatal effects of ignorance and rashness, carelessness and want of experience, let it suggest to us caution and prudence, vigilance and dependence on God. As we behold the broken plans, the half-finished schemes, the painful disgrace, of those who have trusted to themselves, let us be suspicious of our own hearts. As we pass by the spots memorable only for the sad scenes of inexperience, let us look up to heaven and say, "O Lord, keep me as the apple of thine eye; hide me under the shadow of thy wings. How soon may I be numbered among the miserable and wretched, if not kept by thee! Preserve me from all the snares of the world, and the temptations of the enemy. Keep me from rashness and folly. Give me that wisdom which is profitable to direct. Let me experience more of thy grace, which alone can hold me up, and render me safe."

Let us deplore the sad case of those who are still enveloped in darkness, who never had any experience of the power of divine grace. They are perpetually exposed to danger. Having no taste for heavenly things, they are continually sinning against God. Yea, sin is their delight, and holi

ness the object of their hatred. Miserable man! how deplorable thy case! A rational, immortal creature, born for eternity, yet without love to God, without any thought for the everlasting salvation of thy soul! Stand still, and consider for a moment thy wretched situation. Remember, without experience of grace in time, there can be no happiness in eternity. Hear the voice of Scripture: 'Except a man be born again, he can not see the kingdom of God. Without holiness no man can see the Lord. He that believeth not, the wrath of God abideth on him." Jo. iii. 3, Heb. xii. 14, Jo. iii. 36. Cry, therefore, to God for mercy ; consider how short time is. A few more moments, and thou wilt be in eternity! Behold, now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation! May God enlighten thine eyes before it be too late! may the Holy Spirit teach thee the way of truth and salvation, and thus shalt thou be happy for ever!

Let us lament, also, that there are so many who are only nominal Christians, who have a name to live, but are dead; and still more distressing to reflect on the case of many who are called Christian ministers, and yet never feel what they preach; who have never experienced anything of the power of divine grace, but who are still worldlyminded, vain, covetous, and disobedient. How dull and inanimate their preaching! How awful their state! How useless their lives! Yea, how fatal their example! Let such remember that no specu

lative knowledge, no respectability of talent, can be a substitute for experience. Without this, how can they enter into the spirit of their subject? How address their hearers under their various feelings and circumstances? How speak to him who knows the plague of his own heart-to the tried, the tempted, the afflicted soul? Brilliancy of genius, stores of literature, powers of eloquence, may show the man, but can not make the useful minister of Jesus. How necessary, then, to feel, to experience, in order to do good to immortal souls! Let us pity and pray for those who are still ignorant, that the Lord may open their eyes, and lead them into the way of truth; that, instead of a curse, they may become a blessing to mankind.

Finally: Reader, if you have felt the power of renovating grace, how thankful ought you to be! You may surely go on your way rejoicing. You shall still experience more of his love. The riches of his grace shall be still more unfolded; and you shall arrive at last at the mansions of glory, where you shall be employed in ascribing all the praise of your salvation to Him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb, for ever and ever.

INDE X.