leads you earnestly to desire and seek the salvation of others, is a proof that you have found the Redeemer precious to your own soul.

CHAPTER VII.

On the Happy State of the Believer, who enjoys the Consolations that are in Christ, contrasted with the State of the Unbeliever.

IN the Holy Scriptures, the characters and conditions of the righteous and the wicked are often, in the most striking points of view, contrasted with each other. "So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord; but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. Thus saith the Lord, Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord; for he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh, but shall inherit the parched places in the wilderness, a salt land, and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is; for he shall be as a tree planted by

the waters, that spreadeth forth her roots by the river." We read, as descriptive representations, of the tares and the wheat, of jewels and of dross, of the "vessels of wrath fitted to destruction, and the vessels of mercy prepared to glory."

What an awful contrast there is between the "citizens of Zion, and strangers who are afar off! between the friends of Christ, and the enemies of his cross! between the children of God, and the children of the devil!" I shall endeavor to show the opposite states of the saint and of the unregenerate sinner, with respect to their present enjoyments and their future conditions.

1. In their present condition, the joys of one to whom Christ is precious are pure, free, satisfying, and permanent; while the pleasures of the unbeliever are polluted, forbidden of God, unsuitable to the soul, and of short continuance.

While the infatuated sinner rushes blindly on in his career of folly, he often wears an air of gayely, and boasts of his heart's desire. Yet, at his best estate, he is little to be envied, as his happiness is drawn from tainted springs. Poison is poison still, though

poured into a costly cup, and mingled with delicious sweets. How debasing and dangerous are the choicest pleasures of vicious men! Sin contaminates and ruins whatever it touches. Where this monster reigns, where this plague rages and spreads, there can be no salutary, refined joys. "Unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure, but even their mind and their conscience is defiled." Tit. i. 5. But view the sincere believer. His enjoyments are in their nature pure. When Christ is precious to the soul, the works of creation impart both instruction and delight. Ten thousand proofs of infinite wisdom, power, and goodness, every where strike the senses. The order, extent, and magnificence of the heaven, the beauty and fertility of the earth, and the countless variety of animated tribes which fill every element, awaken lively and pleasing emotions in the devout breast. When the thoughts are calmly employed, intent in meditation, every field is a school, and every plant and insect a teacher, to the Christian. How often does the language of the Psalmist express his feelings! Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wis

"O

dom hast thou made them all; the earth is full of thy riches." Ps. civ. 24. When Christ is precious to the soul, there is a pure joy in contemplating the mysterious ways, and receiving the unnumbered bounties, of Divine Providence. In the dispensations of that Being, who governs heaven and earth, there are, it is true, some things which far surpass our feeble comprehension, yet we know enough to convince us that he is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. While the "Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; for even when clouds and darkness are round about him, justice and judgment are the habitation of his throne." O, how various and valuable are the mercies which our heavenly Benefactor bestows upon us! To him we are indebted for food, raiment, sleep, health, and every temporal comfort in our lot. But the pure pleasure with which a pious man receives the bounties of an indulgent Providence, is heightened by a lively feeling of gratitude.

When Christ is precious to the soul, how pure is the joy which every new covenant privilege affords! Remission of sin, effectual calling, full acceptance and free com