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3. We may hence easily be instructed in the marks and signs of a true repentance. Ideas not represented by visible things, are fleeting, variable and evanescent. We are not able to judge of the degree of conviction, which has operated, at any particular time, upon our thoughts, but by certain and definite effects. The only effects by which we are allowed to judge in the present case is the influence of repentance upon the life and conversation. By their fruits ye shall know them. Hereby do we know that we love him if we keep his commandments. The true penitent avoids open, known and wilful sins, and strives and watches against remaining imperfection, and grows more and more inclined to good, and averse from evil. Hence he derives the evidence of his sincerity.

19. It is very dangerous and delusive to multiply the signs and tests of religion. In consequence of this extreme, good men are often desolated of their comforts not finding the given marks in themselves, and bad men are encouraged with false hopes. In representing the conversion of a sinner, many persons frame a solemn description of the manner, the way

and method in which it is supposed invariably to proceed, and thus prescribe a universal recipe for conver sion. He is in a careless state, and regardless of his eternal interests. Some convincing sermon, serious advice, affecting judgment of providence, some extraordinary sound imagined to be heard, or vision seen, awakens him to a sense of his danger and guilt. His convictions are powerful. The terrors of the law set themselves home upon his spirit. He can find comfort no where, and is on the borders of despair. Having remained for a time in this state of anguish and dismay, he begins to find relief, in the mercy of God, through a Redeemer. Beams of light and comfort pierce the cloud, and bring a calm to his troubled conscience. He is then led to fix on Christ as the anchor of his hope, to close with him, and apply his merits and righteousness to himself, to lay hold on the promises, renouncing his own works and righteousness, and thus acquires that justifying and saving faith, which God accepts and approves. The steps of conversion are then supposed to have been taken, and whilst he thus relies upon Christ he resolves to become

a new man.

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20. If such be the method in which sinners are sometimes converted, in how many instances more is the christian character formed, and the subjects of it are strangers to this process of conviction, without these terrible apprehensions at the beginning, or excessive raptures afterwards. When such a deception, therefore is proposed as containing all the marks of a true repentance and conversion, or essential to it in every case, it is defective, and proposes either too much or too little. Many of the best saints that ever lived, never experienced these striking effects, these violent agitations, these devout fervours and high toned sentiments. They have been educated from their infancy in religious principles, were early conducted into the ways of wisdom, and though always humbled for sin, were never in a despairing condition. prodigal, who had wasted his estate in riotous living, was overwhelmed with shame and remorse, with apprehension and with dread. But the features of this description are not applicable to the elder brother, who had continued always in his father's house. He had not gone to those mad excesses, which had plunged the other in a dark abyss of despair, and his mind of

The

course was not agitated with such violent emotions. On the other hand many who have had all these feelings, have fallen short of salvation. The religion of the passions has existed, without the religion of the heart; and many a one has had terrible apprehensions, and been in raptures with Christ and free grace; nay, and even abhorred his ways, and formed pious intentions, and not truly repented and turned to God. Time cools his ardour. Temptation overcomes his resolution; and after all these appearances of faith, repentance and devotion, he lives in a course of sin, not having mortified one lust, or extirpated one passion.

21. But the tree is known by its fruit, rather than by its leaves. If having received the gospel any one endeavours to live by it, if his faith have power to overcome the world, and his love to his Saviour lead him to a solicitous observance of his commandments and imitation of his example, if his convictions make him habitually, though not perfectly pious, humble, charitable, just, temperate and sober, attentive to the duties of his station, he has ground to hope in his sincerity. A profession of sorrow or hatred on account of sin will not avail, without reformation of life. Sorrow is in

deed but the first step of repentance.

It implies

also a turning from our sins, and the practice of holiness; and if it carry us not here, in vain shall we reach the journey's end. A disposition to go forwards not put in execution, is of no value. We must pro

ceed as far as time and strength permit. We must run and not be weary, and walk and not faint.

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