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phrase is used here, is, cordially to receive, in the ways of his own appointment, what Christ offers to bestow. Thus it is elsewhere written; "He that hath no money, let him come, and buy wine and milk, without money, and without price."

In view of what has been said, these three observations fairly offer themselves to our consideration..

1. That many professors of religion are under very great and dangerous mistakes, in regard to their character.

2. That true holiness is exceedingly valuable, and greatly enriches the soul, by whom it is possessed.

3. That we may safely account, that only to be true holines, which will endure all the tests, appointed or permitted, for its discovery and examination.

The first observation naturally arises from the scope of the text, which is to awaken and convince unsound professors.

The second, is suggested by the use which the Holy Ghost makes of the richest things in nature, to represent the unspeakable worth of Christian graces.

The third, is derived from the very significant metaphor of gold tried in the fire; by which I understand a real work of grace, manifesting and proving itself to be such, during the closest inspection, or under the severest trial. For whatever puts the reality of one's holiness to the proof, whatever scrutinizes and tries it, is to him, what fire is to gold. Hence we read in scripture; "Thou hast tried us as silver is tried." Again: "I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and try them as gold is tried."

CHAPTER II.

Illustrating the observation, That many professors of religion are under very great and dangerous mistakes, in regard to their character.

SECTION I.

All flattery, and especially self-flattery, is criminal and injurious; but self-flattery, in regard to the concerns of salvation, is to the last degree dangerous and destructive. To pretend to goodness which we know we do not pòssess, is gross hypocrisy. To persuade ourselves, or endeavor to persuade others that we possess goodness, of which we are in reality destitute, is shameful and ruinone dissimulation. But of this, Laodiceans, and self deceivers in every age, are guilty.

My design in these meditations, is, not to shake the well founded hopes of any man, or to excite unreasonable apprehensions; but to discover the radical and fatal defects, in the basis of many men's expectations of future happiness. Men must judge of their religion by examining its foundation, if that fail, the superstructure is per ishable and worthless.

There is a laudable spirit of caution, cherished by the saints, which makes them sensible of the danger of selfdeception, and renders them watchful and circumspect; there is also a culpable anxiety and fear, tending only to to gloom and despondency, to which they sometimes give way; by the former they are guarded against evil; by the latter they incur heedless grief, and are restrained from inward peace.

Sometimes good men, indulging groundless fears of hy

pocrisy, are blind to the clearest evidences of their gracious state; but more frequently, the wicked, regardless of consequences, close their eyes upon the proofs of their guilt and jeopardy. This is an evil in regard to both, but less hazardous in one case, than in the other. For he that sees not his own graces, and realizes not his privileges, does but deprive himself of quiet enjoyment for a short time; whereas he that shuts his eyes against the evidences of his sin and condemnation, procures the endless destruction of his soul. Of this class of self-deceiv ers the world is full, and with their case I shall have much to do. *

I shall endeavor, in this chapter, to make it evident, that among professors of religion, many are deceived; to assign the causes of their deception; and to make such inferences and reflections as the subject suggests.

"The want of distinguishing in things that appertain to experimental religion, is one of the chief miseries of the professing world. It is attended with very many most dismal consequences: multitudes of souls are fatally deluded about themselves, and their own state; and so are eternally undone : hypocrites are confirmed in their delusions, and exceedingly puffed up with pride; many sincere Christians are dreadfully perplexed, darkened, tempted, and drawn aside from the way of duty; and sometimes sadly tainted with false religion, to the great dishonor of Christianity,and hurt of their own souls: some of the most dangerous and pernicious enemies of religion in the world, (though they are called bright Christians,) are encouraged and honored; who ought to be discountenanced and shunned by every body: and prejudices are begotten and confirmed, in vast multitudes, against every thing wherein the power and essence of godliness consists; and in the end, Deism and Atheism are promoted."-President Edwards' Reflections on the Life of Mr. Brainard; page 307, of Styles' Life of Brainard.

SECTION II.

That many professors of religion are deceived is evident,

1. From the fact that there are more professors than converts. There are many professors of religion, who are Christians only by education ;-persons who have grown up into the church, but who have never been translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Christ. Others have been induced by the influence of custom, by slavish fear, by ambition, or by more unworthy motives, to profess Christianity. Now all such deceive themselves; and while they accelerate their eternal ruin, they greatly increase its aggravations. Let them reflect, that to appear, in the view of men, like Christians, is one thing; to be Christians indeed, in the sight of God, is quite another; for except a man be born of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven.

2. Many professors are acquainted only with the externals of religion, and practise only an outward compliance with the commands of God. They know nothing of that inward, vital religion, which is seated in the affections of the heart, which subdues its sinful propensities, and purifies its desires. But what will their external conformity avail? Or what is it but a miserable imitation of that which lives in good men, and prepares them for heaven? Surely it can have no better effect than to fit them, at last, to accuse and condemn themselves.*

*"If we be not in good earnest in religion, and our wills and inclinations be not strongly exercised, we are nothing. The things of religion are so great, that there can be no suitableness in the exercises of our hearts, to their nature and importance, unless they be lively and powerful. In nothing is vigour in the actings

Certain it is, that there are many professors of this class, who, like Jehu, take no heed to walk in the way of the Lord God of Israel with their heart; who deceive themselves, or endeavor to deceive others, and who will sooner or later receive the fearful reward of their doings.

3. That many professors are self-deluded, appears from the circumstance, that in severe trials, numbers fall away. Prosperity multiplies false professors; but by adversity, the church is disencumbered of them; they are removed from their steadfastness, as dry leaves are carried away by a tempest. "They go out from us, that it may be made manifest that they were not of us." "When tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, they are quickly offended." Had they been told, at first, that their professions and zeal would terminate thus, probably their reply would have been like that of Hazael to the man of God: What, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this thing?" Alas, how unlike is their brilliant and hopeful morning to their dark and gloomy evening! These professors have more of the moon than of the sun; they have little light, little heat, but many changes.*

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of our inclinations so requisite, as in religion; and in nothing is lukewarmness so odious."-Edwards on Religious Affections, vol. iv. of his works, p. 17.

*"It is with professors of religion, especially such as become so in a time of outpouring of the Spirit of God, as it is with blossoms in the spring; there are vast numbers of them upon the trees, which all look' fair and promising; but yet many of them never come to any thing. And many of those, that in a little time wither up, drop off, and rot under the trees; yet for a while look as beautiful and gay as others; and not only so, but smell sweet, and send forth a pleasant odour; so that we cannot, by any of our senses, certainly distinguish those blossoms which have in them that se cret virtue, which will afterwards appear in the fruit, and that

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