CHAPTER XLI.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Second Remedy.-Dear reader, there are two considerations which we here entreat you to treasure. First, the two individuals of whose experience we have been writing, are not the only witnesses. They are selected from a cloud of ten thousand times ten thousand. It is true, that a vast majority of professors, never do reach beyond a state of infancy; of course they do not belong to the cloud to which we refer. Many professors, and possessors of piety a little more advanced, receive answers to their prayers and forget it, or do not observe distinctly from whence their assistance came. This evidence of man's depravity (Christian stupidity) is visible every day. But the Lord has always an army of witnesses on the earth, such as the two we have noticed. The ungodly neighbours of these witnesses call them men of truth, and would take their testimony in a court of justice, but pay no attention to their statements concern. ing their knowledge of eternal things.

Again; impress it upon your recollection, that these witnesses have not this sight of heavenly things merely once or twice in a lifetime. They do not thus seldom have communion with God, and experimental knowledge of the doctrines of Holy Writ. This continues daily and hourly so long as they live up to their duty and near to their Saviour. Here is a witness who feels perhaps to-day that he does not mourn as he should over the low state of religion. After passing through the effort we have

partly described before, the Spirit touches his heart, and every breath is a sigh of anguish, or a sob of grief for the desolations of Zion. At another time he observes that he does not feel as he should, the nothingness of earth, and a proper indifference to the things of time. His success in this pursuit tells him of an omnipresent God again. Then he wishes to feel for the heathen, or he wishes to feel more pungent shame for the sins of early life, or he desires more industry, or more patience, or meekness, or more exulting joy, or more of any one out of the long catalogue of Christian graces; and when he comes to ask as suppliants should come, he receives, until he repeats again with high exultation, "I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he will stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God, whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another." Job xix. 25. Reader, the watchful, obedient, and industrious soldier, although he walks by faith and not by sight, yet by gracious, spiritual, and bright communications, has, as it were, a daily sight into heaven. He obtains that deliberate confidence in eternal things which an apostle felt when he said, without hesitation, or an expression intimating doubt, "There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness."

We must relate two more incidents before we come to the application. Reader, think and pray over these things, for your soul is precious.

EXPERIMENTAL CURE.

Illustrative Incidents.- Case 3.-A person who had

obtained a hope in Christ felt great reluctance to conducting family worship. But he believed household devotion to be indispensable, and resolved to attempt the duty, however self-denying. He continued it for nine years, wishing it was not so irksome, but never omitting it. When his prayers were heard, it was strange to what an extent the Lord manifested himself to him when before that altar. His feelings might be dull elsewhere, perhaps cold at church, sluggish even at the communiontable; but in morning and evening worship he frequently had such views of heaven and heavenly things that he could scarcely officiate. He stated that he had sometimes been reminded of the fact recorded of Toplady before his death, that his spiritual views became so bright, that he exclaimed, "Lord, hold thine hand, for thy servant can bear no more."

Reader, the witnesses of the Lord are not merely brought to feel on subjects of indifference, but in a direction opposite to the current of their former affections. They are made to hate that which they once loved, and to love that which they once hated. They are allowed any amount of evidence. The treasury can never be exhausted. No matter what degree of certainty any one may wish to connect with the words "I know that my Redeemer liveth," he may ask it of God; and living more and more devotedly to Him, in the discharge of Christian duty, he may reach a certainty as cool and deliberate as that of the man who says at midnight, "I have no doubt the sun is down," or who says "he shines," whilst looking at his blinding glory. There is a passionate man, he may obtain meekness. There is a covetous

man, he can have liberality. There is a hard-hearted man, he may become uncommonly tender. These men, in obtaining these graces, will learn that their Redeemer liveth, and they will be benefitted. They will gain that which is indeed valuable, and which will make them instantly more happy. Oh that wicked men would begin the practice of Bible precepts, on more accounts than one. Dear, unconverted friend, in a few chapters more we will inquire in your case if you can obey the holy book, so as to obtain Divine evidence, and also how to do it. But we first have to call up a few profitable thoughts, or to repeat some that have been mentioned.

CHAPTER XLII.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

On the pages of the Bible certain things are promised to those who seek for them-heavenly and spiritual blessings, humility, victory over any besetting sin,devotion, Christian graces, &c. Other things are not promised, and no child of God ever seeks and obtains them. Personal exaltation, victory over enemies, &c., are of this class. The wish for such things is sinful. Again, there are certain favours we may ask for and hope to obtain, and yet not be certain that we shall obtain, because there may be something in the way to prevent, which God sees and we do not. Of this last class is the recovery of a sick relative, the conversion of a friend, the rebuke of pestilence, &c. The first class of mercies named, (a spirit to hate that which is hateful, and to love that which is lovely,) the witnesses of Jesus Christ always obtain when they seek as directed. Their uni、

form and striking success makes their evidence so plain that they need no more. Additional evidence, however, is given (like an occasional flash of light from on high) in answer to petitions for such favours as they are not certain always to receive. These answers to prayer appear to the unconverted all as a matter of casualty, and as that which would have happened had no prayer been offered. The Christian discovers too much uniformity (before he watches long) to think the events he is praying for, take place from chance. We will give examples of these evidences before we leave the subject.

Illustrative Incidents.-CASE 4.-There was one who had disbelieved and ridiculed spiritual agency. He particularly and specially disbelieved the doctrine that Satan is the author of any of our evil suggestions. He once rode to meeting with a gay young merchant. Before it was over he heard two ministers agree together, in a whisper, to pray for that young man. Whilst their heads were inclined, no doubt in prayer, he saw the young man turn pale, walk forward, and ask the prayers of God's people. This partial sceptic had never denied that God ever influences our feelings, so firmly as he had disputed the agency of the evil One. That same evening he was present when the young man approached a preacher with a look of alarm and said, "Sir, I went into a grove for the purpose of trying to pray, and 1 could not do it. No matter when or where I made the effort, as soon as I would kneel, there came into my mind thoughts the most horrible, blasphemies the most inexpressible, such as I never had in all my years of vanity or scenes of wickedness. Can it be that I am

getting more wicked just as I attempt to repent?" The preacher answered him, "My young friend, we