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"Corrupt nature is the same in all. This hand "of mine is as capable of perpetrating any one "act of sin, and the heart, which gives birth "to the action, of devising it, as that of the "vilest wretch that ever lived. For the only "distinction of character between man and "man, is in what God's grace effects, not "what man's merit deserves. You seem to be "surprized but such is the fact." "Look "here, he cried, (taking a handful of seeds "out of his pocket) here are a number of "seeds, all taken from one and the same stock: "if I were to put all of them into the earth in "the same soil, the same situation, under the "same aspect of sun, and rain, and dew, they "would as certainly produce the same in equal "fruitfulness. But if I put a part only into "the earth, and reserve the remainder in my pocket, is it not equally as certain, that the part reserved will remain inert and unpro"ductive; and that which is cast into the 66 ground be alone fruitful? The human

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"heart, like those seeds, being from one and "the same stock; and in its genus, species, "and kind, in all instances the same, must in

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variably in all cases be alike, if all other cir"cumstances concur. So that if this be not "induced, it arises not from a diversity of "character, but from other causes. It is

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grace which prevents the sun, and rain, and "dew, (if I may be allowed the figure) of temptation and opportunity, from exerting "their influence; and then, like the seeds in

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"the pocket, in the absence of those causes, they remain barren and unfruitful."

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"But, Sir, (I replied) if such be the uni"versal state of mankind, what a deplorable "situation is our nature in! And how then "shall any be saved?"

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"Sir, it is this very state of nature (the "traveller answered) which made way for sal"vation by grace. Because man is fallen, "Christ died."

"If you were not a sinner, "what necessity would there have been for a "Saviour?"

"Tell me, I cried with great earnestness, "is that Saviour for me?"

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"I shall be very ready (rejoined the traveller) "to answer any questions you think proper to propose to me upon the interesting subject, "as far as I am able; from whence you may "be enabled to gather information on the 'point."

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"I thank you, Sir, (I answered): but one "circumstance I will beg you previously to "explain. In calling lately upon a family, "whom I found at their devotions, I discovered nothing like what I have since felt of the "deadness and unprofitableness of my heart; "but they all seemed to be perfectly chearful "and happy. From what principles will you "account for this?"

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"The thing speaks for itself (replied the "traveller.) In a state of unawakened, unregenerated nature, the carnal security and "blindness of the mind induces this false joy,

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"and prevents a real concern for the one thing "needful. False reasonings, presumptuous "hopes, comparative views of religion with the "openly profane; these act as mighty persua "sives in the imagination to speak peace, peace, "where there is no peace. Like children "amused with the rattle, such persons take up "with the carcase and husks of religion, and are ignorant of the vital principle of it. "outward form of godliness satisfies for the "inward power of it. And thus resting upon "the means, and unconscious of the end, their "forms and ceremonies of devotion, instead of ""leading the heart to GOD, tend to carry the "heart from GOD, and they know nothing "more of religion, than the name. And here"with their conduct uniformly corresponds. "You will find such characters as well at the "playhouse, as at the Church. They can sit "both at the Lord's table, and the card table, "and are as well known at the one, as the "other. Thus they live in the vanity and ig"norance of the mind; and thus not unfre"quently they die; ignorant of themselves, “ ignorant of their own corruptions, strangers "to all the principles of grace, without GoD, "and without Christ. The portrait of these

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persons is accurately drawn by the pencil of "GOD in holy Scripture, and you may view "two finished outlines of it in the 21st chapter "of the book of Job; and the 73d Psalm of "David. Very different is that, which the "Blessed Spirit hath given us in sweet minia

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"tures of His people, throughout His whole "word. But come, Sir, as you have seen the gaiety of the formal worshipper, let me lead you into the assembly of the real. I am just going to a prayer-meeting, where you will "be introduced, if you think proper, among "that poor and afflicted people, which the Lord "said he would leave in Zion,”

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-I arose, and followed my guide towards the place, with strong persuasion of improve

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THE PRAYER-MEETING.

My guide led me into a room upon the first-floor of a dwelling, in which every thing around indicated the humble circumstances of the owner, where we found several persons assembled for the purpose of devotion. They had just begun their evening-service, and were engaged in singing an hymn, as we entered. The words of the hymn were interesting; and, as I thought, not inapplicable to my state and circumstances:

"Come ye sinners, poor and wretched,
"Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
"Jesus ready stands to save you,

"Full of pity join'd with pow'r," &c.

-The hymn was followed up by prayer, which issued from a voice that I thought I had heard before. And it was an agreeable surprize to me, at the close of it, to recognize in the person praying, the countenance of the

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Poor Man, whose observations at the churchporch had made such impressions upon me. He noticed me also, and with that kind of regard which seemed to say, "I am glad to see you here." But the purport of the meeting so occupied his whole attention, that he appeared to have no leisure for other objects. By what followed I was led to conclude, that if any place of pre-eminence was found in this humble circle, it was his province. For as soon as the prayer was ended, and the company seated, he took up the Bible, which lay upon the table before him, and read from the part where it happened to open, the 16th Psalm. I could not be mistaken as to the number of the Psalm, by what followed in his observations upon it.

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THE POOR MAN's EXPERIENCE.

"IN relating my experience (he said) of "the Lord's gracious dealings with my soul, "I desire to acknowledge, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein he hath made me accepted in the Beloved, that I can, with all humility of mind, adopt this language of the Psalmist, and say as he did, The Lord is the "portion of mine inheritance and of my cup, "He maintaineth my lot, Since that blessed

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"period, when it pleased GOD to call me by "His grace, and to quicken my soul which was

before dead in trespasses and sins, through "a long series of five-and-twenty years, I have

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