with Cavils and Reasonings: but bring them close to Scripture, they are foon filenced, and fling away in Anger. PLIABLE feems to be the fame Character with the Stony-Ground Hearers; pleased for a while with the bright Side of Divine Things; and looking to the Crown, without confidering the Crofs, they outstrip sometimes the real Convert: the first Rebuff they meet with, they do Violence to their Convictions, and get rid of their Religion, as foon as they can: A Conduct in which the Approbation of the World will keep them in Countenance.

It is very difficult for an awakened Sinner to maintain a Confidence, or even a Hope, that GOD will accept him, and Pardon his Tranfgreffions for CHRIST's Sake. The Remembrance of former Tranfgreffions, with the aggravating Circumstances attending them; new Surprifals into Sin, through the Force of present Temptations ; the rifing of corrupt and depraved Affections in the Heart; all thefe concur to fhake the Sinner's Hope, and tempt him to defpair; forming a SLOUGH of DESPOND into which he finks, fo that he seems like one who is fallen into a horrible Pit, and is finking

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finking in miry Clay. The Ministers of JESUS have a peculiar Charge to look well to fuch dejected Souls. Strengthen ye the weak Hands, fays their compaffionate LORD, and confirm ye the feeble Knees; fay to them that are of a fearful Heart, Be strong, fear not, your GOD will come, even GOD with a Recompence; he will come and fave you. What a Mercy, when a poor defponding Sinner obtains the Benefit of the affectionate Encouragements of fome kind Servant of the LORD, fome BARNABAS, who is the Son of Confolation to his drooping Soul. For want of this, fome have lain under spiritual Dejection for many Years. Minifters fhould alfo pay particular Attention to the Doubts and Fears, of awakened Sinners, and often in their public Miniftrations, point them to the Promifes, of Acceptance, and Forgiveness, which, like "good and fubftantial ftepping Stones, placed through the Midft of a Slough," for the Benefit of Paffengers; ferve to fupport the Steps of weak and uncertain Faith.

You, my dear SYNTYCHE, I know, remember with Gratitude, the Benefits you derived from the Miniftry of EUODIAS in your coming to JESUS CHRIST: he pointed

you

you to the Steps, and though you fometimes ftaggered, you was preferved from falling. I have often lamented that there are not more Preachers like EuODIAS: but fome attend only to thundering out the Law, to awaken Sinners-others to ftate and eftablish the Doctrines of the Gospel-and others delight to dwell on the Privileges of the Children of GOD. EUODIAS, who was a Mafter Builder in all these Respects, thought it more important to bestow a larger Share of his Attention to the weak Hands, the feeble Knees, and the fearful Hearts. His Voice, like the Trump of Jubilee, collected Zion's Mourners round him. He knew their Cafe, and applied himself to their Relief-he knew they did not doubt whether JESUS was a Saviour, but whether he would fave them. Euodias, penetrated the Thoughts of their Hearts; hunted out, and answered their Objections and Fears; and many Hundreds have bles fed GOD for him, as a Father who had begotten them through the Gospel.

Alas! how many are the Snares and Temptations that attend young Converts : Earth, as well as Hell, will strive to turn them away from CHRIST, to feek Relief by

other Means, We read of fome, who ferve not our LORD JESUS CHRIST, but their own Bellies, and by good Words, and fair Speeches, deceive the Hearts of the Simple. Men who profefs to be Friends to Religion, but have the Art to accommodate themfelves with one, that shall not clash with their worldly Intereft. Thefe WORLDLY WISEMEN are dangerous Enemies to young Converts, because their decent Appearance, Sobriety, and Gravity, excite Respect, and prevent Sufpicions of Danger in their Counsel. These represent the Trouble and Sorrow of an awakened Sinner, as the Effect of a diftempered Brain, and describe the Profeffion of the Gospel, as a Way that is rough, tedious, unpleasant, and dangerous: they teach, to ftifle Conviction, and gain Peace of Confcience, by a civil, moral, and fober Life, as fufficient to recommend to the Favour of GOD; they profefs a great Regard for the Letter of the Law, and attach them-felves to the fashionable and popular Modes of Worship.

A young Chriftian may be feduced by the carnal Reasoning of thefe Men, becaufe they do not feek to turn him away from Religion. WORLDLY WISEMAN Would not

have CHRISTIAN go back to the City of DESTRUCTION, a State of apparent Atheism; but he would have him fettle in the Village of MORALITY. Now, who would fufpect Morality to be dangerous? indeed it is not fo in itself; but the beft Things when perverted, become moft deadly and pernicious. To truft in our own Righteoufnefs, and fo ftop fhort of CHRIST, is to expose our Souls to the most awful Danger of eternal Ruin, for as many as are of the Works of the Law, are under the Curse.

But, though a young Chriftian may be feduced and drawn into this Snare, he cannot continue in it. Indeed, the LORD could easily prevent those who feek him. from committing fuch Mistakes, but he fometimes permits them to wander from the right Path, that they may know the Deceitfulness of their own Hearts, become more dependant upon him, and more.compaffionate to others: It is impoffible that an awakened Mind fhould obtain even falfe Peace by the Works of the Law. The Spirit of the LORD has opened the Eyes of his Understanding, to see the Spirituality of the Commandment; fo that, as the Mountain appeared more high and tremendous,

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