out, There is none in heaven, and there is none in earth, that I defire in comparison with him. The difference refpecting outward marks and figns as the evidences of faith, is connected with another difference no lefs material, and that is, respecting fanctification, which by many is fuppofed to confist. in a fomething which they call grace (what it is, or what it is like, I cannot tell you); but, as far as I can learn, it is implanted or engrafted into the old man; and this grace, fo implanted, is to be improved, nourished, and cherished, fo that the old man fhall become better and better, till at laft he is quite changed. St. Paul speaks of fomething like this in his epistle to the Philippians, "Beware of dogs; beware of the conci"fion!" As far as I understand the meaning of the word concifion, it exactly answers the defcription of grace implanted or engrafted; and what confirms my opinion that this is the - apoftle's meaning, is the word circumcifion, which is oppofed to it.-The word circumeifion means to cut all around, clean off, that it may be thrown away; answerable to what the fame apoftle fays in another place- Put off "the old man." What this implanted grace has to do with the account which the scriptures have given us of fanctification, I never yet could learn; nor do I conceive that fanctification belongs to the kingly office of Christ, but rather to his prieftly office, for it is ascribed to the blood; and we know it was the office of the high priest to fanctify. The offices of Prophet, Priest, and King, though distinct, are nevertheless so closely connected in our Mediator, that, if he is denied in one, he must be denied in the other two. When our Lord appeared upon this earth, he appeared first as a Prophet, then as a Prieft, then as a King: fo it is when he comes to take poffeffion of a finner's heart-first he comes as a Prophet, opening the understanding and revealing the truth; then as a Prieft, having made the atonement, and entered into heaven for us; then, as a King, he sets up his throne in the heart, grace reigns through righteousness; and, as it is in the world, so it is in a believer's heart-Christ rules in the midst of his enemies. It is one thing to fanctify; it is another thing to rule and govern: it is one thing to change the old man; it is another thing to chain him. A bear chained to a ftake is a bear ftill: fo it is with me (that is, with my flesh); however the corruptions of my depraved and fallen nature may be fubdued, reftrained, and kept under, yet in me there are the feeds of every fin; and I know that this will be the cafe as long as I carry about me this body of fin and death. There are many other differences which arife from, and are connected with, thofe already mentioned; but I must remember that I am only writing a Preface; befides, many of thefe differences will be found in the following Collection of Hymns, which in fome respect may be confidered, not only as a confeffion of my faith, but as describing in a manner the feelings of my heart; nor do they, as I know of, contain a fingle fentiment which I would not avow on a dying bed: and, if this be Antinomianifm, I can truly fay, that, when called out of time into eternity, I never expect, nor defire, to fing any other fong than "Salvation to God and the "Lamb." For it is falvation known, felt, andexperienced, here that makes our hearts to fing for joy; and so it will be for ever and for evermore, TABLE OF CONTENTS. - A BEGGAR, who had lost his eyes Abundance of good folks I find A Chriftian's heart is Chrift's abode Alas, alas, that I fhould be Afham'd of Jefus ! yes, 'tis plain - Before the wheels of time did run Believers own that they are blind Beloved Saviour, faithful friend Be this our fong, be this our boast Bleffings for ever on the Lamb Bleft are the fons, of God - Bleft be the Father for his love Children of Ifrael, see what shade Come, let us join our cheerful fongs Come, my father's family Come, ye that love the Lord Come, ye finners poor and wretched Compaffionate Bridegroom, my Shepherd and Friend Could I of all perfection boast 212 63 27 25 121 284 23 17 42 294 232 Deep are the wounds which fin hath made 143 Dependent on the God of power Do not I love thee, O Lord my |