abode, were any such in existence, equally undisturbed by the presence of God and the torments of the damned. His future destiny perpetually haunts his imagination: and he flies from himself to seek relief in the midst of company and dissipation. For a time, he probably succeeds: for a time, he contrives to silence his conscience. The ever-varying pageant of vain amusements gradually banishes the recollection of those deep impressions which he had formerly received: and he once more feels something at least of the pleasures of this world. But, if ever the strings of conscience happen to be again touched, he relapses into all his former misery; a misery, moreover, now too frequently mixed with a sort of hellish rage and malice against his monitor. Perhaps the Gospel is never sincerely explained and enforced, without either effecting a change in the heart, or exciting a spirit of bitter animosity and determined opposition. Men cannot bear to have their false tranquillity broken in upon: they cannot bear to have the truth faithfully set before them:

they cannot bear to have the carnal security of their sinful pleasures disturbed. Provided these points be not touched upon, they will listen with the utmost complacency to an eulogy on the beauty of virtue and the dignity of human nature: but, the moment they are compelled to look within themselves, their patience fails them, and they are sometimes altogether unable even to conceal their indignation.

II. The second class, which I purposed to describe, is composed of persons of a character radically different from that of the former.

These see their duty to its full extent; they thoroughly comprehend the spirituality of the Law; and they readily acknowledge the greatness of their religious obligations: but, at the same time, they can find no inward satisfaction, no secret complacency, in obeying the divine commandments.

I am not at present speaking of those who indulge in grosser sins: it would be almost an insult to praise a man, who had made even the least progress in Christianity, on account

of his sobriety or his honesty *. The defect in the persons, whose characters I am describing, consists in their having a will untamed, unbending, and unsubdued. Their affections are too much placed on things below, and too little on things above. Whatever duties they perform are discharged from a sense of religious obligation merely; not from finding in the discharge of them that spiritual pleasure, that communion with God, which appears to be at once the happiness and the privilege of a Christian. They do not take up the yoke with their whole heart, though conscience forces them in some measure to submit to it. They are strangers to that, which is prophesied of our Lord in the Psalms; I delight to do thy will, O my God, yea, thy law is within my heart: nor can they comprehend, how it could be his meat to do the will of him that sent him. They attempt, indeed, to perform this will but every effort is grief and

Integritatem atque abstinentiam in tanto viro referre injuria virtutum fuerit. Tacit. Vit. Agric. § 9.

weariness to them. They strive to conquer their dislike: but, instead of yielding, it seems rather to increase.

1. Thus far they coincide in some measure with those unhappy men, whose case has been already described: but here, the grand, the constituent, difference between them commences.

The former detest and oppose the law of God the latter simply derive no pleasure from paying obedience to it, and are not interested in its precepts as they could wish to be. The first absolutely hate the divine image, which shines conspicuously in the character of every true Christian: the second love it, and labour earnestly to acquire it, grieving bitterly at the waywardness and perverseness of their hearts. The first are anxious to stifle the voice of conscience, and burn with rage against any person who attempts to rouse it: the second endeavour to keep the conscience tender, and do not cease to regard a neighbour as a friend though he may point out failings and deficiencies. In short, the former stumble at the very threshold of Chris

tianity: while the latter lament their unwillingness, yet continue striving to acquire a relish for their duty.

2. The condition of this second description of persons is doubtless uncomfortable, but yet very far (I apprehend) from being dangerous.

Let not such despair: let them not doubt, but that God, in his own good time, will accomplish the work which he has begun within them. That they are possessed of any good wishes, that their hearts are at all inclined, however small that inclination may be, toward a desire of gaining the favour of God, is an argument of greater blessings yet in store for them. Every good and every perfect gift cometh from above: nor is a single one bestowed, without carrying with it a demonstration of goodwill toward man. However dark and clouded may be the prospects of those, who acknowledge and lament the hardness of their hearts and their utter disinclination towards that which is good; blessed be God, despondency ought not to be their portion. He, who has promised that he will not