This change, we conceive, is fitly reprefented not only by the term repentance, but also by those of converfion, renovation, spiritual refurrection, circumcifion of the heart, and every fimilar phrafe and metaphor of fcripture, which are used in refpect to the first converts to Chriftianity. All these phrafes and expreffions, as Mr. Edwards has proved, unquestionably relate to the same change, and are generally of much the fame import. We are not, as fome perfons would infinuate, fo abfurd as to undertake to convert perfons already called Chriftians to the profession of Christianity, as the Apoftles converted the Jews and Heathens. Our object is, the converfion of this hereditary profeffion into actual practice and experience. And in fact, the change effected in the views, difpofitions, and pursuits. of thofe who from mere nominal become real Chriftians, bears fo ftrong a refemblance to that experienced by the firft Chriftians on their converfion, as fully to justify the defcription of it by the fame terms. 66 Men may however denominate it what they pleafe; we are not here folicitous about words; it is the thing only, the actual reformation of the heart and character, which we deem of importance. But, comparing the general state of religion around us with genuine Christianity; obferving the rapid growth of heathenifm among modern Chriftians;" learning, from authority the most respectable, that "the characteristics of the prefent times are, confeffedly, Infidelity, and an unprecedented Indifference to the Religion of Chrift, among profeffed believers;" that "not one-third part of the inhabitants" ordinarily attend "on divine fervice" in the Church, and "not one-fixth part of the adults" at the communion, through "a great (k) See Edwards on Orig. Sin, p. 346-360. (z) See Mr. Haggitt's Sermon, p. 12. (y) See "The Scholar Armed against p. 269-285. the Errors of the Time, Vol. 2. 1 part of the kingdom;" and of these, that "it is to be feared,” that merely "nominal Chriftians make up a great part of` many congregations," this kind of converfion, we apprehend, thould form one leading object of the faithful minifter's attention. The "poifon" then againft which we are fo anxious to guard, is, the ABUSE of an established doctrine in regard to this fubject; the permitting all perfons in our communion, who have been baptized, to expect the bleffings of the baptifmal covenant as a matter "of courfe," whether or not they "may lead the reft of their life according to that beginning," whether or not in any fober fenfe of the words they fulfil the conditions of this Covenant. In our judgment, thofe teachers, who, by attending only to one fide of this engagement, reprefent all the profeffed members of our Church as "true believers," "true Chriftians," of the " true Church of Chrift," "feparated from the world," "partakers of an holy life,” and "in the fure road to heaven," do violence to common fact and common fenfe, run counter to the whole tenour of fcripture, and are "in the fure road" to ruin the establish ment. The author of this happy change of character, we bẹlieve, is, the Holy Spirit; but, that it is generally effected, and is always to be fought after, in the diligent ufe of the appointed means of grace.Neither let it be infinuated, that when we fpeak of this converfion, repentance, or whatever else it is called, we are ranting about fome instantaneous operation, which finishes the whole business of religion at once: We mean by it the serious commencement of a work which it requires the vigorous exertions of the whole life to complete. Our opinion therefore alfo further is, that humility of mind, and seriousness of deport (x) See the Bishop of Lincoln's Ch. 1800, p. 10, 13, 18; and the Report of the Lincolnshire Clergy, p. 6. ; and below at the conclufion, ment, highly become the character of Chriftians in their beft eftate.-And, if indeed, like our guilty first parent, we have any perception of our fallen condition, any fenfe of our revolt from God, and of the "Evils which our own misdeeds have wrought," "What better can we do, than proftrate fall Before him reverent, and there confefs 2. Very different, however, are the notions of feveral of our Opponents. We will not affirm that they abfolutely treat with ridicule every appearance of contrition for fin, or folicitude respecting the state of the foul; but they certainly approach very near fuch a conduct. At the most, it is only fome gentle feeling of remorse, fome flight degree of fpiritual anxiety, which they can endure. Men may be ferious, may be affected, may difcover folicitude, about what other objects they please; it is not permitted here: It is knavery; it is folly; it is hypocrify; it is infanity, where the honour of God and the care of the foul are concerned. fin Thus, Mr. Polwhele reckons it among the undeniable proofs of Dr. Hawker's fanaticism, that he " congratulates his parishioner on his feeling himself to be a poor ner; on being fenfible of the burden of his fins :" that he reprefents him as having "difcovered, that his fancied righteoufnefs before God is full of unworthinefs; and that even in his most holy things, he is unholy:" . . . . that " on the principle of original depravity, he laments, in a general obfcure manner, the bias of his nature to fin, and cries out, that in his flesh there dwelleth no good thing":"" (1) See Paradife Loft, B. 10. (n) Ibid. p. 39. (m) Letter, p. 43. that his Chriftian, "as foon as he feels the awakening word, goes groaning all the day long under the sense of tranfgreffion; under the mysterious apprehenfion of impending judgment, he is all anxiety and terror." Mr. P. alfo mentions it among the deplorable extravagancies, which he fays are at this moment taking place "through almost all the towns and villages in Cornwall," that perfons are "proftrate in the duft, and bewailing their fins?." And who will fay that this very ferious fubject is not absolutely fported with, in the following paffage? Virgins," fays Mr. P.," indeed innocent and unfuspecting, have received repeated leffons from their spiritual inftructors; till, at length, fenfible of the burthen of their fins, they have dropped the tears of contrition!" "We need not," he fays again after Dr. Ibbot, " difquiet ourselves, or distrust our own ftate, because no ftrange thing has happened unto us, because we have not been terrified, nor felt any violent inward pangs and convulfions. For religion is easy and natural, pleasant and delightful, unless we have made it otherwife by contrary habits: and even then we may be reconciled to it, without any of this unnatural dread or (p) Ibid. p. 81. (q) Ibid. 79. 19 "To (0) Ibid. p. 56. We have feen this Gentleman, and his companions, in this sporting humour before: above, Chap. 3. p. 123. It seems natural to them. But do they really expect to promote the cause of true religion by thefe means? How different was the opinion of Lord Bacon. turn religion into comedy," this prodigy of wisdom obferves, "to fearch and rip up wounds with a laughing countenance; to intermix scripture and fcurrility fometimes in one fentence, is a thing far from the reverence of a Chriftian, and scant befeeming the honeft regard of a fober man. Non eft major confufio quam ferii et joci: the majesty of religion and the contempt and deformity of things ridiculous are things as diftant as things may be. Two principal causes have I ever known of Atheism, curious controverfies and prophano fcoffing." Works, Vol. 4. p. 460. "6 concern." Accordingly, when an unquestionably pious man laments" because he could not do any thing with a fingle intention;" Mr. P.'s comment is, "i. e. was a hypocrite ;" and thus does he invariably treat fimilar confeffions of fint. Yet, according to this rule of judgment, Cranmer, Hooper, Latimer, and their Colleagues, muft hạve been the vileft wretches upon earth. But did Mr. P. never read of an Apoftle who was alive without the law," but who died the moment he understood the commandment in its true extent and spirituality; who, although before he had confidered himself as touching the law blamelefs, now confeffed himself the chief of finners; and, who groaned under a fenfe of guilt and corruption even when he was a faithful preacher of the gofpel? Did he never read the ftrong penitential language of the upright and perfect Job, on the true difcovery of his character before God? It has before appeared how this divine lends his countenance to that “modifh curtailment of the Christian faith," which ridicules all ferious apprehenfions refpecting that once renowned enemy of man's falvation, the Devil. Thus, in the name of his clerical brethren" does Mr. Polwhele treat on this fubject. And these fentiments, he informs us, are " but an echo to difcourfes from all the pulpits around him." They muft, however, be confidered as the fentiments of the Reviewers, who have extolled his work as "not more remarkable for its ftrength than its juftice," who "ftrenuously recommend it to the perufal of our regular clergy," and "with Mr. P. to treat the subject more at large." (a) See the Antijac Rev. for Aug. 1799, p. 452; and for Sept. 1799, p. 100.-Should it be suggested that these may be only Mr. Pol |