In the few then of every denomination, I recognized the true Church of Christ. At first the small number of real Christians perplexed me, and I anxiously exclaimed, Are there so few that be saved? But I remembered that even this circumstance added its testimony to the veracity of the Scripture statement, which always represents the Church of Christ as a little flock,1 exposed to the hatred and derision of the larger portion of mankind, who should continue obstinate in their monstrous rebellion against the Most High. Besides this, when I reflected on the mightiness of the change which must take place in every sinner's heart before he could sincerely love God, and the necessity of his submitting to be viewed with contempt and disgust by many who before had loved and courted Him, I rather marvelled at the miracle of divine grace, by which any are saved, than inquired, why so few? But I found from the prophetic writings that the number of Christ's enemies shall not always exceed that of His friends. The time is not far distant when "the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." 2 I have endeavoured briefly to recapitulate the 1 Luke xii. 32. 2 Isaiah xi. 9. chief reflections which occurred to me while I was reading the Bible, with the help (as I verily believe) of the Spirit of Jesus. From that time I have continued to sit at the feet of Jesus, and to hear his word; taking him for my Teacher and Guide in things temporal as well as spiritual. He has found in me a disciple so slow of comprehension, so prone to forget his lessons, and to act in opposition to his commands, that were he not infinitely meek and lowly in heart, he would long ago have cast me off in anger. But he still continues to bear with me, and to give me line upon line, and precept upon precept. And I am certain that he will never leave me nor forsake me; for though I am variable and inconstant," with him there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." 1 In narrating the means, by which I was drawn forth out of the horrible abyss of infidelity, my design has been to give some idea of the process, which must take place in every sinner's heart, before he can know, or desire to know the God who gave him being. And this it must be with you. You must be roused to a lively sense of the importance of knowing God;-must be convinced, that you have hitherto lived in a state 1 James i. 17. of blindness and enmity against him :-you must learn, that all your fancied wisdom is mere folly in his sight; and must be ready to receive the truth as God is pleased to reveal it. Instead of insolently dictating the way in which God shall deal with his offending creature; you must lay down the arms of your rebellion, and accept of pardon and peace upon His terms. When these dispositions are wrought in your heart, (and they can be wrought only by a Divine Power) then the Lord will reveal Himself to you, shew you the truth of His Everlasting Gospel, and bring the salvation of Jesus home to your heart. I ask you not to believe anything upon my word. That were indeed foolish, when you cannot take it upon God's word. But I beesech you to make trial of God's word. Reject it not till you have put it to the test I have proposed to you. Examine thus for yourselves. Know whether the God of Scripture be as he is there styled, "the God who heareth prayer." And we, "who "have tasted that the Lord is gracious," will not cease to pray for you, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know |