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The proneness of men to self-deception requires that in these questions there be nothing vague and undefined. Inadequate, unfixed, and shadowy views of these things must ever be friendly to self-delusion. Self-deception delights in a misty, hazy atmosphere, and glories in the indistinctness and undefinableness of every thing around it. It shrinks instinctively from what is clear, lest the light which makes surrounding objects visible and distinct, should at the same time manifest its own deformities or deficiencies and when it cannot shut out this light, it will seek to create indistinctness and bewilderment by its own hurrying course and its own hasty and careless glance. Alas! How has delusion revelled in all the dimness, obscurity, the confusion and twilight in which matters of practical piety have sometimes been involved! It is disastrous indeed when by our careless, or ill-judged, or faithless management of these momentous questions, we supply an inviting covering of darkness for the self-deceived. It should also be remembered that many self-deceivers are far from being designing hypocrites, and are not to be confounded with them in the same undiscriminating estimate of character. If they were fully satisfied that they were not christians, they have too much honesty and too much conscience to continue professions which they could not sustain. Shall we then, it is asked, push them back into the world by compelling them to give up these professions? We too will ask a question. Is any thing lost to the church by divesting such persons of their profession? They were not "lively stones," of the building, and did not contribute to its strength or beauty. They only now

appear in their own place and character; and, peradventure, religion gains something, by shaking off an uncongenial, unseemly, and disfiguring incumbrance. It is no longer identified with the cold, heartless, worldly, inconsistent, unornamental profession of the self-deceived. But it by no means necessarily follows, that they should be thrust back into the world. Far happier consequences might be expected to ensue. For who so likely to be alarmed, solicitous, converted, as the professor of religion who discovers, that "he is wanting?" Great indeed is the probability that when he casts off the defective robe of mere profession, he will "put on the Lord Jesus." It is God's plan, when about to convert a soul, to throw it in a relative position favourable to attention, impression, and conviction; and what position so favourable as that moment of honesty, of alarm, of anguish and of awe, when the mind is driven to let go its last hold of a false profession? Shall they then foster, or spare self-deception, by a weak and timid treatment, whose business it is, as with a flaming sword which turns every way, to force it from its dark and deadly retreats in which it lingers as in an Eden?

The life, energy, and growth of holy principles in the christian mind are greatly affected by the views which are given and entertained respecting them. That the power and exemplification of these excellencies will be measured by the clearness and fulness with which they appear to the mind must bë apparent. This position is often taken by the inspired writers. View as a specimen Paul's expression of devout wishes respecting his friends: "For this cause, we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray

for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." This is the Apostle's frequent explanation of his desires for the increasing illumination of christians. This is the point to which his prayers for their growing knowledge tends the climax to which they rise. Nor is this surprising. For although truth is holy in its ef fects, it is so only as apprehended, and in the measur in which it is apprehended. The truths of God are seals, which if applied in their clear and complete forms, leave distinct and perfect images. If applied in a partial, or effaced, or encumbered state; imperfect, broken, and shapeless impresses are left. It cannot well be questioned that an obscured and feeble view of the distinctive excellencies of christian character, will be commonly attended with a corresponding faintness and defectiveness of spiritual principle and of holy conduct. To such a conclusion we are led by the Scriptures themselves, by the observed tendencies of truth, and by the very nature and laws of the human mind. We admit this perhaps with the less readiness from the fact that christians reputed for scriptural intelligence are not always the most practical; and from not sufficiently remembering the distinction between knowledge, and "the form of knowledge"-between the "Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him," and the knowledge that "puffeth up." It is, in this, as in human science, not the variety, nor

1 Col. i. 9, 10.

the extent, nor the multitude of our views; but their clearness, their vividness, their strength, their depth, which become available to practical and useful purposes. If confirmation of these statements were required, it is supplied in the fact, that the surprise of new discoveries in the nature and extent of the characteristical virtues of the truly pious, does often startle the christian into intenser ardour, loftier aims, bolder enterprise and heroism;-that a sudden and large increase of this practical wisdom is speedily followed by the resuscitation of decaying worth, the refreshing of languishing excellencies, the new shooting and growth of whatever is pure and true and lovely. Far then from despicable is the honest attempt to establish and to elucidate these essential principles ; and far from unimportant is it, that that attempt, by whomsoever made, should be well-directed. Well might the hand tremble that has to sculpture these fairest features worn on earth, were it not that a perfect model is before it. And well might human fingers falter, were they not rendered free, sensitive, and discriminating by the source of all tenderness and skill, as they attempt to touch the chords of spiritual character, lying innermost and hidden as they do in every godly breast.

The clear conceptions of which we speak will aid the christian in reducing his adopted principles of conduct to order, uniformity, and system, in feeling, motive, and action. It cannot reasonably be questioned that, in the maintenance and cultivation of christian character, too much is left at random. Too much is assigned to the freedom, the spontaneity, the self-improving energy of the implanted principles of

goodness; and too little is thought of arrangement, purpose, rigorous rule, stern and settled system. In this respect the reproach lies deep upon us, that, "the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light." Why, in the preservation and growth of excellence, should so little use be made of wise contrivance, sober and dignified management, fixed and methodical resolutions? And why should a careless and chance-like course be preferred to them? Are they, as an order of means, ill-adapted to their end? Are they uncalled for? Do no facts exist to shew that they may be advantageously effective? As apt and convincing an instance, perhaps, as can well be found, is supplied by the great name already quoted. Let the celebrated resolutions of the American Divine be perused, and the illustrious example of spiritual attainments wrought out by the aid of these regulations fairly contemplated; and then let it be said whether rule and system may not be made highly available to great and valuable ends in practical and experimental piety. But if the reader should place himself under a regime somewhat similar, he will find indispensable to his success, the intelligent recognition and decided adoption of simple, definite, undisguised views of the leading and commanding principles of holy character. The steadiness with which we shall adhere to any wise and specific rules of action and character will depend upon our confidence in the principles upon which the regulations are founded. If our basis then be well laid, and our rules fairly built upon it, how secure are we! How little inclination shall we have to desert what we feel to be so safe a position! Of

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