It is doubtless true that some, | Holy One of Israel, as he is found in the descriptions of his word, and as his character may be inferred from the duties which

and they will find that they
never came to him, or in other

lieve he is or exists, as he is de-
scribed in his holy word.

and how many we can not say, who think they come to God, are mistaken through the very unworthy and false apprehen-we are commanded to perform; sions they have of his nature and will. Into these false notions they are drawn by the sin-words, that they never did befulness of their own hearts. It is not the God of Israel, it is not the God of the Christian To please the Lord. we must Church, it is not the God who come to him in the manner apnow is and ever will be adored pointed by his infinite wisdom. by angels and the spirits of just Surely the Lord may appoint men made perfect in heaven to the manner in which it is fit siawhom they come; for he is aners should approach him. His God of perfect rectitude, of spot-wisdom may determine with less purity, of infinite justice as what temper and in what name well as forbearance towards those they shall ask his blessing. who have sinned.

He is the friend of moral order, in society, and of pure virtue in the affections of the heart, and in the practices of social life. But the God to whom they come is a fictitious character, formed according to the deceit ful imaginations of an evil heart. Through complaisance to themseives, in their own imaginations, they have robbed infinite Deity, of his unchangeable, eternal rectitude, his love of holiness and his hatred of sin, of that justice which guards his government and his glory, and they have debased his goodness to something like their own selfish affection. Believing the Lord to be like themselves, they can come to him, and delight that he is, imagining him to be such that they can explain both the law and the gospel in a manner that is accommodated to their own case; although they are destitute of Christian charity, faith and good works. The way to undeceive minds in this state, is to set before them the

The

And in this point, also, his
word gives the only information
on which dependence can be
placed. The reason of depra-
ved creatures may suppose
many things, and attempt to
justify them, while it is only in-
finite reason and wisdom can de-
termine, what is best.
Lord hath informed us that the
only acceptable way of coming!
is through a mediator who is di-
vine, through his blood which
hath made an atonement for sin,
through the righteousness of
his obedience, through his inter
cession by which our prayers
and intercessions are made ac-
ceptable to the Father, through
and by the aid of the Holy Spir
it, who alone can awaken the
conscience, sanctify the heart,
and bring us to a reconciliation
with God. It is his sacrince
for sin, through which alone we
can come to the Father and be
accepted. Endeavor therefore

to see by faith and by repentance,
the efficacy of that blood, which
washeth away the guilt of ali
those who sincerely come to the

1

Father, through the intercession of him, who is declared to be the beloved Son, in whom the Father is well pleased.

necessary for eternal safety. As they have not a love of piety, so neither are they pleased with the means of religion which infinite wisdom hath instituted. They neglect the word of God; their lives are without prayer; they do not sanctify the sabbath of the Lord; and they slight the ordinances which he hath solemnly instituted for our observance.

The last part of the direction is of the highest importance, "diligently seek him." For our encouragement, we may believe, that the Lord will accept, and that he hath a reward for those who come to him in a right manner. We have evidence of this, not only in the general scheme of grace contained in the doctrines of the gospel; but, also, in the daily Kindness of Providence, in the invitations of the gospel, and in the admonitions of the Holy Spirit, who, frequently, by his own operation, sets before us our need of divine grace. But to derive the beneiit of these invitations they must be obeyed. Those only will be accepted who seek God diligently. Although divine grace abounds towards a Thus, my afflicted friend, I sinful world, it is a great error to have given some directions in suppose we share in its blessings answer to your question. "How without self-restraint, watch-shall I come to God, how shall fulness, prayer and a diligent I stay myself upon him?" I hope attendance on the means which your trials will make you more arc instituted to instruct our considerate than you have ever aninds, and preserve us from sin. been before.

But if we neglect to seek God in the ways of his appointment, it is vain to hope that we can come to him, by faith in the day when his help is eminently needed. All the duties and institutions of religion are designed for our assistance in going to the Lord as our Redeemer, they are also intended to impress us with a sense of the need of unfeigned piety, and to cleanse us from that sin which will render us acceptable in his sight.

Commending you to divine. grace, I remain, &c.

Three Dialogues between a Minister and one of his Parishioners, on the True Principles of Religion, and Sulvation by Jesus Christ.

One of the most common errors of the secure, by which they hold themselves in the most imminent danger, is, that they can, at any time, turn and come to God acceptably. They have a conviction that religion and the friendship of God are necessary. They intend to escape the consequences of transgression, but as piety is at present disagrecable, as its duties. are irksome, as its restraints on their lives are unpleasing, they delay to a future season, that P. which they have a conviction is

I give you but I want your | pany; to talk of myself in a advice very much. vain empty manner; to be gree dy after the world; to pass slight

M. You need make no com

be glad if all the people in my parish would give me the same trouble as you do. But what is the matter?

pliments, my friend; I shouldly over, or entirely neglect prayer and other duties, as a tedious burden; and to be guilty of other sins. At present, I bless God, it is not so; but all my thoughts are, in a manner, taken up about the care of my soul, and the world to come.

P. I have been for some time so as I was never in my life before: I have been afraid I should be damned. This hath filled me with thoughts and fears, day and night. You had no need to caution me against the danger of worldly cares and pleasures; for wherever I was, or whatever I have been doing, my sins and hell have still been before my eyes.

M. What have you thought of your sins? In what light have they appeared to you?

P. Sins committed many years ago have now risen in my mind, and condemned me. The remembrance of the sins of my youth has followed me, as if committed but yesterday. And some awful scriptures that I have heard and read, seem to be the sentences of my condemnation. I believe I have thought a hundred times of these words, "The wages of sin is death."

M. I fear you do not know your heart so well as you imagine. You seem to think that all things are already become new in you. But be not decei ved; such a cage of unclean birds, as the heart of every man is by nature, is not so soon cleansed from its various lusts and vile affections. Those that seem to be rooted out, are only asleep for a season. Be watchful therefore; they will one day awake again. Some of them probably are only exchanged for others as bad and dangerous, such as pride, presumption, and the like.

P. Really, Sir, I have some fear of that. For you must know, that one day I was thinking what a sinful wretch I was, and what would become of me in the next world, when these words came strongly into my mind,

M. Have you looked into your heart, and seen and lamen-"I will heal thy backslidings, I ted the corruption there?

P. I did not use to understand what you meant by looking into the heart; but I think I do now. I find in myself a strong inclination to many sins, though I am convinced that I deserve God's wrath on account of complying with this inclination heretofore. Indeed it is much better with me than it was. Formerly, I have been led by my own wicked heart to delight in idle com

will love them freely." I am sure they are somewhere in the bible, but I cannot find them. However, they gave me much comfort, and I have been very easy ever since. Now, a neighbor that I have been talking with, tells me, "this is to be looked on as the work of God," and that I am henceforth to look on myself as a converted man.

But I fear this would be pre

sumption. Now what do you I must tell you; all these feelthink of this?

ings are to be suspected, till we see what fruit follows in the heart and Jife. For, though these are sometimes owing to the Spirit of God, and come well recommended, when, as in your case, they are so closely connect

M. I must desire some time to observe your temper and conduct, before I can resolve this question. The words you mentioned are in the prophet, Hosea, chap. xiv. they were, perhaps, spoken more immedi-ed with the word of God; yet

the enemy of souls sometimes imitates these sensible experiences in order to deceive. And it is impossible to say how much our natural tempers and spirits may contribute thereto.

P. Pray, Sir, tell me plainly what you think of my state.—

love those that seem to be his servants, and would go upon my hands and knees to do them good, or to make others like

ately of the restoration of the captive Jews; but they contain a sweet promise perfectly in the gospel strain, and are therefore free for every humble soul to embrace by faith. The prophet, you see, verse 1-3, exhorts the people to repentance and humiliation for sin: "As far as I know of my own Israel, return unto the Lord thy heart, I would not willingly ofGod; for thou hast fallen by fend God for the whole world. thine iniquity. Take with you│I words, and turn to the Lord. Say unto him, take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously for in thee the fatherless find-them. I love to hear his word, eth mercy." Now, as God hath to pray, and to talk of good given you a sense of your sin- things; and, I think, I could die ful, helpless state, and a desire with pleasure, if it were his will. of turning to him, like this M. Very well. These are which the prophet describes as good signs. But this is the ferpreparatory to an answer of vor of your first love. It will peace, I hope the following pro- not always be so with you. So mise belongs to you: "I will was it with the Israelites after heal their backslidings, I will passing the Red Sea, with the love them freely for mine an- Galatians, and with the church ger is turned away from him." of Ephesus. But each of these, I hope too that the comfort which grew colder afterwards; and you found in applying the prom-they were reproved for it. ise to yourself by a particular faith, proceeded from the Spirit of God in the same manner as I look on that conviction of sin, which filled you with fear and M.Strive to make your calself-abasement, when you calledling and election sure," and to mind your sinfulness, and God's judgments denounced against sinners, to be the work of the same Spirit. "For it is he who convinceth the world of sin and of righteousness." But this

P. Sir, I believe you know my danger better than I do myself. Pray, direct me what I shall do.

evident both to yourself and others, by "bringing forth the fruits of righteousness in a good conversation."

My first advice is, "walk humbly with thy God." Let

the remembrance of your past | you have heretofore been most life of sin and folly still cover you easily beset. If at any time sin with shame. Recollect the ma-prevail against you, do not enny aggravating circumstances deavour to forget it, or hide it in of a life hitherto spent in rebel- your bosom: but go to God imlion against God; during all mediately; take shame to yourwhich, he daily heaped mercies self; plead the gospel promises. upon you and yours; giving to returning sinners, looking unfood and raiment, health and to Jesus Christ as your all suffi strength; and continued these cient sacrifice and advocate with mercies to you, while you forgot the Father; and never cease the hand that gave them, and wrestling with God in prayer, returned evil for good. He until he again speak peace to spared you in all your provoca- your troubled soul, and fill you tions, and at last opened your with a greater fear of offending eyes to see your danger, stirred him. you up to avoid it, and now hath As I hope you are now plantgiven you a good hope, throughed in God's vineyard, be fratt grace, for obtaining eternal life.ful. Bear on your heart a sense Thus compare together what of God's love to sinners in Jesus God hath done and you deserv- | Christ. Consider in particular, ed, and learn humility. Keep a what God hath done for you, in watchful eye also upon the remains of indwelling sin still in you. And let sinful inclinations, vain thoughts, backwardness to duty, and failure in it, teach you to be humble and fear. Thus distrusting yourself, look up to God for continual support, like a helpless little child, expecting through the medium of Jesus Christ, to be assisted in every time of need.

My next advice is, "Keep a conscience void of offence." If you have wronged any man, be not ashamed to own it, and according to your power, make restitution, that the accursed thing may not cleave to you.' Take heed that you grieve not the Spirit of God by unholy walking, lest you provoke him to forsake you. To this end, watch over your heart, repress its first inclinations to sin, and be watchful against temptation from without; fixing your eye especially on the sin with which

calling you out of darkness into his marvellous light." Remember how you lay fast asleep in sin and fatal security, when God awakened you to see your danger and escape it. Think what would have been your condition in eternity, if God had left you to yourself. Think how many still go on in the same fatal path in which you trod. And let the sense of God's distinguishing love to you excite you to some return. "Love him, because he first loved you.” And let love to your heavenly Father influence your thoughis, and words, and actions.

Let your meditations of God be sweet and frequent. Lift up your heart to him that seeth in secret, and trieth the heart and reins. Seek a close communion with the Father of your spirit; and to this end, endeav our to withdraw your thoughts from worldly things, and to raise your affections from earth to