SOME Reflections _and_ Observations ON THE Preceding _Memoirs_ of Mr. BRAINERD.
I. WE have here an opportunity, in a very lively _instance_, to see the _nature_ of _true religion_; and the _manner_ of its _operation_ when exemplified in a high degree. Particularly it may be observed.
1. How greatly Mr. Brainerd’s religion differed from that of some who, depending on something past, settle in a cold, careless, and carnal frame of mind, and in a neglect of thorough, earnest religion. Although his convictions and conversion were exceeding clear, yet how far was he from acting as though he thought he had _got through his work_, when once he had obtained satisfaction of his interest in Christ? On the contrary, this was with him but the beginning of his work, his entering on the great business, his first setting out in his race. His obtaining rest in Christ, after earnest striving to enter in at the strait gate, he did not look upon as putting an end to any further occasion for striving and violence in religion: but these were continued, and maintained constantly, through all changes, to the very end of life. He continued pressing forward, forgeting the things that were behind, and reaching forth towards the things that were before. His pains and earnestness in religion were rather increased than diminished, after he had received satisfaction concerning the safety of his state. Love to God, and longings after holiness, were more effectual to engage him to pains and activity, than fear of hell had been before.
And as his conversion was not the end of his work, or of his diligence in religion; so neither was it the end of the _work of the Spirit_ of God on his heart; but rather the beginning; the first dawning of the light, which thenceforward increased more and more; the beginning of his holy affections, his sorrow for sin, his love to God, his rejoicing in Christ, his longings after holiness. And the powerful operations of the Spirit of God herein, were carried on, from the day of his conversion, to his dying day. His religious experiences, his admiration, joy, and praise, did not only hold for a few days, weeks, or months; and then gradually die away, till they came to leave him without any sensible experience of holy and divine affections, for months together; as it is with many, who soon come to that pass, that it is again with them much as it is used to be before their conversion, with respect to any present views of God’s glory, or ardent out-goings of their souls after divine objects; but only now and then they have a comfortable reflection on times past; and so rest easy, thinking all well; they have had a good clear work, and they doubt not but they shall go to heaven when they die. How far otherwise was it with Mr. Brainerd! His experiences, instead of dying away, were evidently of an increasing nature. His first love, and other holy affections, even at the beginning were very great; but after months and years, became much greater, and more remarkable; and the exercises of his mind continued exceeding great, (though not equally so at all times) without remissness, and without dwindling away, even till his decease. They began in a time of general deadness, and were greatly increased in the general reviving of religion. And when a general deadness returned, his experiences were still kept up in their height, and so continued in a general course wherever he was, in sickness and in health, living and dying. The change that was wrought in him at his conversion, was agreeable to scripture, a great change, and an abiding change, rendering him a new creature: not only a change as to comfort; and a transient change, consisting in passing affections; but a change of _nature_, a change of the abiding temper of his mind. Not a partial change, in opinion, or outward reformation, much less a change from one error to another; but an universal change, both internal, and external, from the habits of sin, to universal holiness.
*It appears plainly, from his conversion to his death, that the great object of the new appetites given him, and thenceforward maintained and increased in his heart, was HOLINESS, conformity to God, living to God, and glorifying him. This was what drew his heart; this was the center of his soul; this was the ocean to which all his religious affections tended: this was the object which engaged his eager desires and earnest pursuits: he knew no true happiness, but this: this was what he longed for most vehemently and constantly on _earth_; and this was with him the beauty and blessedness of heaven, to be perfectly holy, and perfectly exercised in the holy employments of heaven; to glorify God, and enjoy him for ever.