Let the reader beware of these vain confidences! When men rest satisfied with these presumptions, they usually rest satisfied until it is too late to be dissatisfied. They see nothing either within or without, to shake their hopes, or alarm their fears. Notwithstanding there is a wide and essential difference between these unscriptural confidences, and the faith of the Gospel; notwithstanding they have all the necessary means to know their true character, and could not mistake it if they would examine impartially; yet they sport themselves with their own deceivings, and know not what manner of persons they are. You may easily imagine that you are safe; and while the deception lasts, it may quiet your consciences, and administer a short-lived consolation. But, when the veil is drawn aside; when the dreams of time give way to the realities of eternity; these pleasing deceptions will vanish. There is less of this vain presumption in the hour of death, than in the season of health and cheerfulness. There will be none of it at the left hand of the Judge; there will be none of it in hell.

The reader has now before him, what the author designed to say in the first five essays. How solemnly do these things call upon every

one to see whether his heart is right with God! If vital religion does not consist invisible morality; if it does not consist in the form of religion; nor in speculative knowledge; nor in mere conviction for sin; nor in the confidence of your own good estate; nor in the whole routine of enthusiastic experiences which that confidence inspires; nor in all these things combined: is it not time to look about you? In all that has hitherto been brought into view, there is not one holy exercise of heart; not one feeling that is in the least at war with supreme selfishness. There is not one fact, therefore, upon which I dare tell you, that you may rely for eternity, as conclusive evidence of Christian Character.

How many are there who are almost Christians! As then you review the preceding pages, look with ingenuousness into your own heart. Men may think they are Christians, and yet be in the gall of bitterness, and the bonds of iniquity. You may be almost saved, and yet―perish. You may get very near to heaven, and yet-go to hell. You may advance to the very verge of the better world, and from the threshold of glory, fall into the regions of mourning.

It may be, that remarks like these, will wound some of the dear children of God, while they leave the stupid hypocrite wrapt up in false security, and impenetrable by nothing but the arrows of the Eternal. If the humble child of Jesus is hereby involved in darkness for a moment; his light shall soon break forth as the morning. If for a moment, his strength and courage languish; they shall spring forth speedily; his righteousness shall go before him, and the glory of the Lord shall be his rereward. The hypocrite will in all probability, still cherish his deception; he will rest in carnal security, till the awful moment when he lies gasping in the arms of death, and is just about to take his flight to the judgment-seat of Christ. Then his refuges of lies shall be swept away, and his fancied security will only serve to render him the fairer mark of divine vengeance. Then he will discover his fatal mistake. Then his heart will tremble. Then his hopes will die within him. That which has been hidden, shall be made known. The mask will be torn off; the secrets of the heart shall be unfolded; nothing shall remain unveiled. There will be no darkness nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. The sinners in Zion

shall be afraid; fearfulness shall surprise the hypocrites: Who among us shall dwell with devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?

ESSAY VI.

LOVE TO GOD.

In the preceding Essays, I have exhibited as I proposed, a variety of views, feelings, and practices, which cannot be relied on with safety, as conclusive evidence of Christian Character. In the subsequent ones, I propose to give a brief view of those, which may be relied on without the danger of deception.

It is the excellence of the Christian religion, that it makes a claim upon the affections. My son, give me thine heart. Love is the fulfilling of the law. Though I give all my goods to feed the poor; and give my body to be burned; and have not love; it profiteth me nothing.

At first view, there appears to be some difficulty in understanding with clearness, what it is to love God. Men are in the habit of placing