ner had no warrant to believe, those would be discouraged who were most earnestly desirous of salvation; while the proud and careless would be furnished with an excuse for their unbelief.

A sincere willingness to

Should we even say, 'be saved in the Lord's way is the sinner's war'rant to believe in Christ; and without this it is

presumption to apply to him;' the consequence would be, that a newly awakened person, defective in knowledge and judgment, destitute of experience, and agitated by tumultous fears and conflicting passions, must solve to himself various difficult questions, concerning the nature of a sincere willingness, and the necessary measure of it, before he could think himself allowed to come to the Saviour. Whereas, if the nature of salvation and of faith is clearly explained; and all men without exception are invited, exhorted, besought, and commanded in the name and by the authority of God, to believe in his only begotten Son: the willing come without hesitation; others feel their reluctancy to be criminal, perilous, and fatal if not overcome; convictions are frequently excited, and prayers for a willing mind presented; and God blesses his own word to break the stout heart, and bind up the broken heart, while the obstinate are left without excuse.

It is a fact, capable of the fullest proof, that in those places, where nice speculations on these subjects are avoided, men find scarcely any difficulty

respecting them: but when deeply impressed with a sense of guilt and danger, and earnestly desirous of the salvation of the gospel; they apply to Christ for it, as the sick do for admission into an hospital. They seldom are troubled about a warrant to believe, though finding much difficulty in actually believing, they are led to pray with him. of old, "Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief;" and are often distressed with anxious fears, lest they should not believe aright, or with a true and living faith. The language of their hearts seems to be this; 'Every sinner, however vile, is invited and commanded to believe in Christ, and to come to him for salvation: therefore I may and ought to come. I now feel very desirous of these blessings, which heretofore I despised, and would gladly embrace the gracious invitation. Lord, help me to believe, and teach me to come aright; for I dread nothing so much as coming short of thy salvation!' Nay, those very persons, who, previous to deep convictions, have systematically perplexed their minds with nice distinctions and doubtful disputations, are often constrained, by urgent fears and desires, to act in direct opposition to their former scheme, and to apply to Christ in the manner above described!

If any thing be considered as a warrant for a sinner to believe in Christ, except the word of the gospel, it must be something of an holy nature: so that if his convictions and desires be not holy

he is not warranted to believe.-But this would fully justify that total unbelief, which the Scriptures decidedly condemn: for certainly a man ought not to do what he is not warranted to do. It likewise sets a newly awakened person to resolve one of the most difficult questions in divinity. For he must so accurately understand the nature of true holiness, as to be able, in his own concern, under great discomposure of mind, to distinguish the minutest portion of it from all counterfeits; and clearly to ascertain its actual existence in his heart, amidst all the immense alloy of selfish and sinful passions! It would probably be found impossible for the ablest theologian in Christendom certainly to determine such a question, in respect of many peculiar exercises of his own mind: how then can it be expected, that embrio converts, so to speak, should be able, during an overwhelming tempest, to make such accurate observations, and nice distinctions?-The general proposal of the truth, and the scriptural exhortation and assurance, "Believe on the Lord "Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved," exactly suit the case of such persons; while the event will shew the nature of their convictions. Whatever better informed and more experienced persons may determine concerning the nature of saving faith, whether it be or be not an holy exercise of the heart; the convinced sinner can decide nothing of the kind in respect of his own experiences:

nor can others determine the question for him: since many are alarmed, and convinced, and as far as we can see, appear even to be humbled, who never believe to the saving of the soul.

Two small seeds may very be essentially distinct in species, yet the best eyes, assisted by the finest glasses can scarcely know one from the other: how then could a person, with very weak eyes and with a very dim light, certainly distinguish between them? But when they are sown, and grow up, the plants that spring from them will be easily and infallibly distinguishable. distinguishable. Thus it is with men's convictions: some are essentially dif ferent from others; but all our endeavours exactly to know such as are spiritual from such as are merely natural, except by the event, will answer little purpose. We must judge as well as we can, and act accordingly: but we shall frequently find ourselves mistaken. How impossible then must it be, for the alarmed enquirer after salvation to find a warrant from any holiness in himself, to encourage his application to Christ? And how wise and gracious the general language of Scripture; "Let him that is athirst come, and whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely !". While we proceed on the scriptural plan, the Lord will distinguish what we cannot. They that pure "water of life,-proceeding out "of the throne of God and of the Lamb," will be encouraged to approach and take of it freely; and

thirst for the

others will either go back into the ways of open ungodliness, or be found among the stony-groundhearers, resting in a false peace, without "sancti"fication of the Spirit unto obedience, and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus."

When the subject is considered in an abstract manner, the difference between a warrant to believe, and a disposition to believe, may at first glance appear trivial; but, viewed in its relation to experience and practice, it is immensely great and important.-It can never discourage a trembling sinner, who honestly enquires, "What he "must do to be saved;" to describe the nature of faith, and explain the way of salvation; and then to invite, exhort, and persuade him to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, not doubting but in so doing he will certainly be saved. But should we enter into a discussion concerning the nature of genuine convictions, gracious thirstings, and spiritual desires; maintaining that it would be unwarranted presumption for him to believe, unless conscious that his experiences were of this nature; we should exceedingly embarrass his mind; take off his thoughts from the love of Christ, and the freeness and sufficiency of his mercy and grace; and give Satan an opportunity of tempting him to despondency, or of otherwise "taking the seed

out of his heart, lest he should believe and be "saved." Indeed, most deviations from scriptural simplicity may be traced back to this abstract