needs, that the pious reader will remember him, in return, before the throne of grace; that the things of which he hath endeavoured to put others in remembrance, may never be forgotten by himself, but be known, experienced, and enjoyed, by him more and more. The acquisition of many prayers on this account, from his Christian brethren, is of such value and importance in his mind, as would make him a far higher compensation indeed than he has a right to expect, for these humble labours, which need the mercy and favour of God, and the kindness and candour of every good man. November, 1786. THE CHRISTIAN REMEMBRANCER. PART I. CHAPTER I. On the Entrance into Spiritual Life. "WHEREWITH shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the High God?" How shall I, a sinner, approach the eyes of that Majesty, which cannot look upon sin without abhorrence? My iniquities are more in number than the hairs of my head, and my heart sinketh within me on their remembrance. My affections are naturally all inclined to the world and worldly things. My judgment is depraved; my will is perverse; my understanding is darkened; my knowledge vain; and I see nothing within me or about me, but what by guilt is altogether defiled. I have sure proof of that Scripture, "that every imagination of the thoughts of man's heart is only evil continually;" and that "from the sole of the foot, even to the head, there is no soundness" in my nature; but only "the wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores" of sin. How then can I please God? How shall such a worm, such a lump of perverse ungodliness, obtain his favour? Shall I seek to deserve it by my own good thoughts?-Alas! I am not sufficient of myself to think even one. Shall I by excellency of words approach my offended Maker?—He regardeth not words, but the spirit and the heart: and my spirit and heart are wholly defiled. Shall I then by good works attempt to render him propitious?-O my God, where shall I find them! How can I begin to act, before I have begun to think what is right? How can the exercises of the body be pure and free, when the soul is unholy, and enslaved by sin? And if, from this day, I could cease from evil, and do perfectly what is just and right, which the experience of all men tells me to be impossible; yet what will become of the long black catalogue of iniquities, both in heart and life, which are already written against me? How shall I wipe off the sins of my nature and my life, respecting the times that are past? O Lord, thou hast revealed thyself as a holy God and a just.Thou hast declared that thou wilt not spare the guilty. And I have offended thy righteous law, in every hour and every action of my life. How then can I be saved? How is it possible for me to escape the wrath to come? My anxieties, like my sins, might justly overwhelm me, and I ought to tremble at the righteous judgment which I know I deserve. There are but a few days at the most for me to live upon J earth; and I am not sure of one. O how shall I flee from the wrath to come! how shall I avoid eternal burnings, in which no man can dwell |