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CHAPTER IX.

THE WORK OF GRACE.

The work of grace is begun by the Lord-The sinner awakened-He repents-He believes and is justified-Has the witness of the Spirit—Is born of God—Grows in grace—Is wholly sanctified-He perseveres to the end-And he dies in the Lord.

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THE work of grace in the soul of man, though varying a little in different characters, is substantially the same in all. A man of profligate manners may be more deeply awakened than one who has been correct in his external conduct; but both are alarmed when their opened, and both feel the need of mercy. Various means may be used by the Spirit of God, to bring a sinner to repentance. One person may be brought to this necessary duty by one method, suited to his state and circumstances, and another by another; but, whatever means are used, the same end is ever kept in view. Similar observations might be made on the progress of religion in the soul. There are shades of difference in the views of good men, in their feelings, and in the way which they take; but all arrive at the same point, and their experience on the whole is the same. We shall lay down what we deem the usual and general method of God in this great work; assured

that all who are in a safe state have repented of sin; that they are justified by faith; that they love God; and that they are obedient. These great points being allowed, we leave minor differences out of our inquiries.

I. It will be allowed by all who are acquainted with divine truth, and especially by men of sound experience, that the work of grace is begun by the Lord.

He seeks that which is lost. He sheds light on the dark, benighted sinner. He awakens and alarms the impenitent. If men were left to themselves, they would remain in darkness and in death. Their depraved nature, under the influence of the wicked one, would reign without control; and they would rush forward, with heedless steps, to eternal ruin.

All that is good, whether in men or angels, flows from God. He is the fountain of goodness. All that is wise, in any created being, comes from the fountain of light; and all that is holy may be traced up to Him who is infinitely holy. Every good thought, every good desire, and every pure affection comes from the Lord. Without him, "nothing is strong, nothing is holy;" and from him "all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed."

This truth, when deeply impressed upon the heart, gives us exalted views of God; for when we feel that all the good we enjoy is from him alone, we love him and praise him as the giver

of every good and perfect gift; but while we imagine that goodness originates with ourselves, our pride is fed, and we fall into the condemnation of the devil. This great error should be carefully avoided, because it is disgraceful to man, and because it robs God of his glory.

II. In the commencement of a work of grace, the sinner is convinced of sin, and alarmed under a sense of danger.

The soul is convinced of sin, by divine illumination, and the gracious influences of the Holy Ghost. Before that illumination, and those influences, we were in darkness, and in death; utter strangers to ourselves as fallen creatures, and strangers to God our Maker. But when he enlightened our minds, we began to see things as they were; and that light, accompanied by divine influences, produced strange effects both in our hearts and lives. We were like persons awakened out of a deep sleep; and we slept on a precipice. When we saw our danger, we were alarmed, and we tried to escape: but we found, by sad experience, that we could not deliver ourselves. Hope fled from us; and fear took possession of our hearts.

Divine light shines on the soul through various mediums, and in various degrees; but it is always found sufficient to accomplish the merciful purposes of God. The Holy Spirit enlightens the understanding, in a way which we cannot explain: the written word gives light,

when it is read with attention; and a preached Gospel sheds rays of glorious light on the mind, when it is mixed with faith in them that hear. In the first awakening of the soul, one person is enlightened by the Holy Spirit, another by the holy Scriptures, another by the ministry of the word, and a few by these united lights; but in the progress of the Christian life, these heavenly illuminations are sweetly combined, and shine more and more unto the perfect day. Prov. iv. 18.

When the divine light first shines, accompanied by the powerful working of the Holy Spirit, we see and feel our sinfulness and vileness; and we are convinced that we must perish, if mercy does not interpose on our behalf. But by this light we discover the saving remedy for man, in the gracious undertakings of Jesus; and this affords a pleasing hope to the awakened sinner in the hour of his fear and terror. This fear and terror may have been excited by a thunder-storm, by some sudden and awful death in our neighbourhood, or by some alarming personal affliction; but if the power of the Spirit had not wrought upon us, by the medium of those frightful scenes, we should neither have seen our danger, nor felt the least alarm.

III. These awakenings, when wisely improved, lead the soul to true repentance; and this was the design of God, in his awakening influences, whatever means he saw fit to use for that purpose.

Repentance toward God must be exercised

by guilty man before he can obtain pardon of sin, or peace with God. Let us, then, repent of all that is past, and resolve to obey in future. We have great encouragement. The true penitent may wander about in deep distress, his eyes may run down with tears, the frowns of heaven, and the prospect of future punishment, may terrify his soul, but he is not far from the kingdom of God. Mercy is all he wants; and he is not without hope that God will soon smile upon him. He joyfully anticipates a justified state. He sees the propriety of the sinner being made to feel the evil of sin before he receives pardon. Repentance humbles him; but he falls that he may rise. His present views and feelings of sin will be of use to him as long as he lives; and the deeper he sinks in this state, the higher he will rise in a state of grace. Thus that grace which works deep convictions in the soul, generally leads to a sound conversion.

But what is repentance? Is it penance? We view it as a widely different thing. Penance is a mere outward act; but repentance is a work of the heart. Penance may be done by a proud hardened sinner without any benefit to the soul; but genuine repentance is that work of grace which discovers the hateful nature of sin with all its bitterness and malignity. The marks of true repentance are evident, both to the penitent himself, and to all around him. He renounces