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out in such a manner, as to leave uneasy impressions upon. your mind, and yet to be repeated, Be sure take an account of all such acts of wickedness.

Let the ten commandments be set before you, when you are making this inquisition: and set down the several sins which you apprehend you have been guilty of, in doing what is forbidden, or neglecting what is required under each command.

After this, think of the times when you stifled convictions; and turned away from the offers of grace, and calls to repentance in the gospel. That you have not only sinned but have been impenitent too.

Think of your sins against a Redeemer: That you have been willing to live, so long, in ignorance of his undertaking: Or that you have thought too slightly and meanly of his suffering, and sacrifice: Or that you have turned his grace into wantonness, and because grace has abounded, therefore you have abounded, the more in sin.

Think of the despite you have done to the Holy Spirit: Resisting his motions, when you have been in public ordinances; and putting by, or excusing yourselves from a compliance with his more secret suggestions.

And then at the end of all, reckon up the several aggravations of your sins: That is, set down as far as you can remem ber,

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With whatever else you can think of, that will make your sins appear the more grievous to you.

In the whole of this search after sin, you must resolve that no one transgression shall be overlooked, through a wilful concealment, or a negligent search, or a vain excuse. But lay thyself as open as possible before God; and take pains even to find out thy forgotten and lesser iniquities; and be sure not to admit a thought of any thing at such a time, that would cover thy guilt.

Now spread the black catalogue before thine eyes, and see what thou canst do to excite all manner of resentments against thy sins, and against thyself because of them.

Think of every thing that may excite thy shame. The fol ly of thy actions; the baseness and meanness of them; the reproach which they deserve from the world; but especially their final exposing of thee before angels and men, at the last day. Possibly this may turn thy heart against, and provoke thine abhorrence of those actions that thus appear shameful to thee.

Again; try farther what thou canst do to alarm thy fears. See if the apprehension of some dreadful calamity overtaking thee, whilst thou art going on in a sinful course, will not make thee cry out in such language as that of the Psalmist, My flesh trembles for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy judgments. O! see if the terrors of God's law and justice, and especially those of the last judgment, be not sufficient to persuade thee to repentance.

Farther; let every thing that may work upon thy sorrow and grief be attended to. The ingratitude thou hast been guilty of, to the greatest and best of benefactors; thy forfeiture of the most valuable privileges and blessings; the many mischiefs thou hast, now, brought upon thyself; and the unspeakable torments that sin hereafter exposes thee to, which it is impossible for thee to escape, if thou goest on in it. And then say, if these things be not enough to pierce and grieve the most dull and unimpressive heart that has once learnt to realize what it thinks

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Once more; let every thing that can stir up thy hatred and aversion, be called to mind. And think, if thou canst, of any thing in the world that deserves to be hated more than sin. The most loathsome creatures have nothing in them so odious as sin; nor the most ungrateful and abominable actions of men toward one another, any thing so frightful, as the sinning against God.

If by this means thy heart is set against thy evil ways, then the motions of grace, and of a renewing Spirit, will be welcome; and then mayest thou reasonably, and comfortably, expect them. And so, that shame, and fear, and sorrow, and hatred, which at first might be no more than the exercise of so many natural passions, shall be sublimed by the operation of the holy Spirit, into that saving grace of a christian, Repentance unto life never to be repented of.

V. Another of the prescribed means of regeneration, is humble and fervent prayer.

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I know it is said, that the sacrifice of the Prov. xv. 8. wicked is an abominaton to the Lord. And I have heard it therefore argued by some, that such as are in an unregenerate state are not to be put upon prayer, or any religious exercise; because, whilst in such a state, nothing that is done by them can be acceptable or pleasing to God. But this kind of talk is plainly owing to a criminal neglect of some parts of scripture, which occasions the wronging and misinterpreting of others. If he that is wicked, intends to continue in his wickedness, without doubt his prayer must be an abomination; as it is a most insolent attempt to impose upon an Omniscient Almighty God. But if the wicked man, under a serious sense of the evil of his ways, and with such kind of reflections on himself and his condition as those I have just mentioned, seeks to God for grace to renew and change his heart and life, such prayer is far from being offensive to the great Father of mercies.

St. Peter does expressly require Simon Magus, as ill a man as he was, and even whilst he was utterly estranged to the grace

and spirit of the gospel, to pray to God; and that upon a mere probability, that the thoughts of his heart might be forgiven him. From hence I think there is abundant reason to conclude, that if a man's own conscience should condemn him; yea, if an apostle or messenger sent immediately from God, should tell him he is in the bondage of sin and iniquity; yet it is his duty to pray for pardoning and renewing grace.

And surely you have encouragement enough to plead with God, when you find it expressly said, that he

gives the holy Spirit to them that ask him: by Luke xi. 13. which, our Saviour tells us a little after our text,

we are born again. And elsewhere, the language of God to a sinful people was, Ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you: And ye shall seek me and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart, Jer. xxix. 12. 13.

You say, that you are not able to do any thing of yourself, that it is the grace of God alone that must renew and save you. Can you not express yourself thus in prayer to God, as well as talk in such a manner to your fellow-creatures; Go then, and tell a gracious God how helpless you are; and how insufficient to every good work. If you can do no more, yet so far surely you may go, to make such complaints in secret, as well as in company; and to speak to him who sees in secret, as you would do to your companions. Tell God therefore, instead of telling them, that you are convinced nothing but his almighty grace can renew and sanctify you: and that you therefore come to beg this grace of him. And withal be sure to urge his own promises, in and through our Lord Jesus Christ. I am persuaded, you will have no reason to complain of the unsuccessfulness of such a course as this.

There is a very moving representation of such a frame and temper of mind, as that I would endeavour to work in you by thus sending you to your knees, in a discourse of Mr. N. Taylor, concerning faith in Christ. This with some little alterations and additions, I shall here recommend to you; as what

may direct your thoughts, and assist your expressions, when first, under discouraging apprehensions of yourselves, you look to a Redeemer to help and save you.

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"My sins are many, and my danger is great, and my "fears are proportionable to both; what will become of me to "all eternity, God only knows. There is indeed salvation for "lost sinners, through the blood of a crucified Jesus; but I am "terribly afraid I shall never get an interest in it. Many discouragements break in, like wave after wave, upon my dis"tressed soul," and I have scarce faith and hope enough to put up a prayer to God. And yet I cannot forbear crying, Lord be merciful to me a sinner!.....If such short, but ardent, breathings as these, may obtain the gracious regards of my great Lord, I shall be happy. If these will not avail, what shall a poor creature do, that knows not how to order his words, or how to govern his thoughts, or to perform any thing that is really good!........O how I am tossed in my own spirit?.. "I am told there is a safe and desirable harbour before me; 66 but, Lord! at how great a distance am I from it? it is not "long, since I had any thoughts about it; and I fear I shall 66 never reach it, I see the waves swell and prevail so much be"fore me. Lord save me or I perish ! ........Well, I must and "will try, what rich, sovereign, free grace will do for me. If "I am the vilest sinner that ever was, then Christ had never 66 yet so fair an opportunity of shewing his tender love, his in"finite power, his unshaken faithfulness, and the value and "efficacy of his blood, in all their beauty and glory, as now hẹ "has. What though I am an obscure person, and should never ❝ have an opportunity to publish it on earth; yet it will not die as a secret in my bosom. The happy tidings will run through "the heavens; and the blessed inhabitants above will wonder "at such exceeding grace overflowing to me. Eternal hallelu"jahs will be sung to the Lamb of God on my account. I will, "therefore, cast myself into the arms of infinite mercy :.....But "that's too proud and forward an expression; I would rather say, I'll throw myself at his feet: If he spurn me away, I can "but die then, and die I must if I don't apply to him. Who "knows, but he may stretch out the sceptre of his grace, and

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