selves as sinners redeemed by the blood of God's only dear Son ; and then say, whether a life of carnal security and atheistical presumption be such an one as your condition calls
for? Look into the Scriptures, and see whether you can
find any countenance for such a life, either in the commands of
God, or in the examples of his saints? Think whether
your own opinion of such a state will always remain what you now profess it to be ? Do you find that any awakened soul looks back on such a life with complacency? Does it appear to him a light matter to have lived all his days as without God in the world ? If you continue to harden your- selves against God, he may give you up to your own delu- sions, and leave you under the power of them in your dying hour : but what think you will be your views of such a life the very instant your eyes are opened on the invisible world ? What will be your views of it when standing in the presence of your Judge? and what will be your views of it, when you are eating the fruit of your own ways in that place from whence there is no return, and in which your residence will be fixed to all eternity? If in your hearts you think that you will then rejoice in the retrospect of a carnal life, go on ; and sleep out the little remainder of your days. But if conscience tell you, that in that day you will have far different views from those which you now profess, then awake from your slumbers, and turn unto God without delay. God has given you a candle wherewith to search yourselves; (for "the spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly1:") make use of it then with all diligence : " search and try your ways, and turn unto the Lord your God:" and doubt not but that in Christ you shall find a full and complete redemption. " Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead ; and Christ shall give thee light."]
2. Those who have attained deliverance from it —
[Blessed be God, if any of you have been quickened from your death in trespasses and sins : and now beware, lest ye relapse again into your former state of atheistical supineness. It is no uncommon thing for persons to run well for a season, and then turn back again ; to " begin in the Spirit, and end in the flesh." But to you also will I make my appeal: ]s it " a vain thing to serve the Lord ? " Will he not do good to those who seek him in sincerity and truth ? Is he not, as he has said, " the Rewarder of all such ? " Does he not even now impart to the soul blessings that are of more value than ten thousand worlds ? Does he not answer prayer ? Does he not commu- nicate to the soul a peace that passeth all understanding ? Does
1 Prov. xx. 27.