562 Acts, Xxiv. 16. [1808.

let that be far from us : we know, that, if we had done all that had been commanded us, we should have been only unprofitable servants : but instead of being merely unprofitable, we feel that we are vile and miserable sinners. Nevertheless, we trust that we are monuments of thy grace ; and we desire now to join in humble adorations and thanksgivings for what thou hast done for our souls. Through thy grace and mercy we enjoy a conscience void of offence toward thee and toward man. We feel at this time, that, notwithstanding all our short-comings and defects, we have an unfeigned and uniform desire to please thee. Our consciences testify that there is no one instance wherein we knowingly do to others, what we should not think it right for them, in a change of circum- stances, to do to us. Nor are we contented with doing to men as we would be done unto : no, Lord : Thou, who seest in secret, knowest what longing de- sires we have after thee : thou beholdest us daily ap- proaching thy footstool with deepest humiliation and contrition ; and hourly, as it were, washing in the fountain of Christ's blood, which alone can " purge our consciences from dead works." Nor does our hope of forgiveness embolden us to sin ; but rather, thou knowest, animate us to obedience. As for sin, we can appeal to thee, we hate and abhor it. If at any time we commit it, even in thought, thou knowest how much our souls are pained, and how we renew our applications to thee for pardon and strength. We say the truth in Christ, and lie not, our con- sciences also bearing us witness in the Holy Ghost, that we have great heaviness and continual sorrow in our hearts for the corruptions that yet remain within us ; and that, if we could have the desire of our hearts, we would bid an eternal farewell to sin, and be " holy as thou art holy, and perfect as thou art perfect." Dear brethren, have you such an evidence of your sincerity before God? Do you not now feel any misgivings in your consciences respecting these things ? If you can thus appeal to the heart-searching God, then earnestly pray that he would perfect his