his own holy dispositions, to authorize his believing application to the Saviour and reliance on him, he commonly thinks himself worse than ever, and viler than any other sinner: and is often tempted to conclude that he has sinned beyond the reach of mercy, and that Christ will except him from the general rule of "casting out none that come to "him." What then can meet this case but the

scriptural assurances, "Ask and it shall be given

you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall "be opened to you: for every one that asketh re"ceiveth?" And what can be more improper than to embarrass him with nice distinctions; in direct opposition to the apostolical direction, "Him that " is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful "disputations?” In proportion as the gospel is understood, it gives encouragement, and suggests pleas, to that man who is most vile in his own estimation. He cannot indeed say, "God I thank "thee I am not as other men :" but he may smite on his breast, and say, " God be merciful to me, a "sinner :" "For thy name's sake, O Lord, par"don mine iniquity, for it is great:" "I do not

present my supplications before thee for my " righteousness, but for thy great mercies." The infinite and everlasting mercy of God; the all-sufficient merits, atonement, and intercession of the incarnate Son; the unencumbered invitations of the gospel; and its exhortations and injunctions, with the promises connected with them; fully warrant the vilest sinner that ever lived to apply for salvation without delay, and without any fear of a repulse. For they who have committed the unpardonable sin," cannot be renewed to repentance;"

and will thus never come to Christ for his humbling holy salvation.

Trembling and almost desponding sinners seldom consider their convictions as the effect of a supernatural influence: nor indeed do they in general reflect at all on the cause or nature of the change of which they are conscious. And, when they have leisure from the tumult of their thoughts to make inquiries of this kind; they commonly ascribe the whole to means and instruments; and frequently imagine that, if others had heard the same sermon, or read the same book, they must have been equally convinced. And, having a far worse opinion of themselves, it is very difficult to make them sensible, even by the clearest evidence, that their temper of mind is really better in the sight of God than it was before. It must there- . fore be impossible for a sinner in this condition to find a warrant for his faith in those feelings of his own mind which constitute a disposition to believe. Nor has he the least occasion for it: as the word of the gospel gives him a sufficient warrant and a most abundant encouragement "to come to "Christ that he may have life."

II. Even such persons as have been long accustomed " to live by faith in the Son of God;" who have frequently known "peace and joy in believ

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ing, and have abounded in hope by the power of "the Holy Ghost;" are sometimes overcome by temptation, or called to pass through sharp conflicts, and great darkness and distress of soul. In these circumstances they are often led to question whether all their past experiences have not been a delusion; whether they were ever" called with a

holy calling;" whether they ever truly loved the Lord or not. Should they then keep away from the throne of grace, and stand at an awful distance from the compassionate Physician of their souls, till they have determined these questions? Alas, they can determine nothing in this dark and doleful state! Every thing in themselves appears polluted and vile: the recollection of their past profession, advantages, and comforts aggravates their distress, and adds weight to the burden of their guilt so that they are often tempted to draw the most desperate conclusions concerning their state, and the Lord's intentions respecting them. But they commonly begin to emerge from their distress in some such manner as this. If all,' say they, 'has hitherto been self-deception, still the Lord is infinitely merciful; all things are ready; the invitations except none; and the Saviour says, "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast "out." Encouraged by such thoughts," out of "the depths they cry earnestly unto the Lord :” they confess their guilt with all its aggravating circumstances, and plead his merciful forgiveness, and his plenteous redemption,* "Out of the

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"belly of hell, they look towards his holy temple," and seek his gracious deliverance; and, while they beseech the Lord to glorify his infinite mercy in saving them, the vilest of sinners, he "brings them out of the horrible pit, and out of "the miry clay; he sets their feet upon a "rock and orders their goings; and puts a new song into their mouths, even thanksgivings

* Psalm cxxx

+ Jonah ii.

"unto their God" and Saviour. Then indeed, a brighter light shining upon their experiences, they can discern some actings of holy fear, humility, desire, faith, hope, and love, amidst the perplexities of their souls: yet they could ascertain nothing of this kind in the time of distress and dismay, when they stood most in need of encouragement.

III. But indeed the believer, who is best established in judgment and experience, and most assured in hope, does not consider his consciousness of sanctifying grace, or his upright walk and conversation, as in any sense his warrant for believing in Christ, or in applying to him and relying on him, for renewed pardon, and fresh supplies of wisdom, strength, grace, and consolation, answerable to his daily needs. He may, and will, on some occasions, appeal to the Lord for his integrity and, as "his own heart does not condemn "him" of hypocrisy, or allowed sin," he has that "confidence towards God," which he could not otherwise enjoy.* He will consider his conscious love to Christ and Christians, his hatred of sin, and his delight in God's commandments, as a full proof that his faith is living, and his salvation sure: he may plead these things, as a reason why the Lord should defend him against the tongue of slander, maintain his cause against those that injure him, and prosper his endeavours to do good: and in various ways he may " rejoice in the testimony of his conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by "the grace of God, he has had his conversation in

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1 John iii. 19-22.

"the world."

This is evident from numberless

passages in the sacred scriptures; and even from the prayers of the most eminent saints. But so long as a man needs forgiveness, and blessings innumerable and inestimable, which he has not in the smallest degree merited by his best services ; and so long as he is continually making unsuitable returns for former mercies; he cannot, properly speaking, have any warrant for his faith, except the word of the gospel; however his hope may be encouraged and assured by "the seal and wit"ness" of the sanctifying Spirit. Nor will the publican's prayer be ever laid aside, as unsuitable to his case, by the greatest saint on this side the perfection of heaven: though self-deceivers, of various descriptions, may think themselves too holy to employ such abasing language.

It is commonly urged on this subject, that if any thing be considered as the warrant of faith, except the word of the gospel, boasting will be introduced, and self-confidence encouraged. This is true in general, and the sentiment has a powerful tendency that way; yet many, who are charged with representing holy dispositions as a necessary warrant to faith in Christ, look on those dispositions to be as entirely a free gift of the Saviour, as any of the blessings they afterwards receive: and (whether consistently or not I pretend not to determine,) they enter as fully as their opponents into the spirit of the apostle's words, By grace ye are saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, "lest any man should boast: for we are his work

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manship, created in Christ Jesus unto good