him. But his lips, which had all his life time spued out the poison of a heart at enmity against God, were ashamed to be enlisted in the service of his much injured Saviour. He had not the courage to open them to utter a word concerning the heavy weight which then bowed down his spirits. His wife, perhaps afraid in a direct manner to talk to her husband concerning religion, began conversation, by mentioning that a sick man in the neighbourhood appeared very penitent; and at the same time expressed her fears, that if the Lord should spare his life, and he should get well, HE WOULD FORGET IT. These last words went to his heart. He could refrain no longer. He burst into tears. "It seemed, (says he,) as if my bowels would gush out of my body." He rose in the greatest perturbation of mind, hurried out of the house, went to his barn, and falling down upon his knees and his face, he cried out aloud to God to have mercy upon him. This was the first time he ever bowed his knees, and humbled his heart before God. In this state of mind he continued for days, and nights, and weeks. He happened at this time to have in his house a book of Isaac Ambrose, called "Looking unto Jesus." The diligent and humble perusal of this book was the mean, in the hands of God, to throw light on his situation; and the Lord soon put a new song in his mouth. "I, (says he,) of all men in the world, have the greatest reason to bless and thank God; and I now stand as a monument of God's distinguishing unmerited grace-bless his holy name."

Though his besetting sin at first weighed heaviest upon him, and was the mean, as it were, to bring him to a sense of his situation; and though he at first thought that if he could but get clear of the vice of drunkenness, he would do well, now that the Lord has enabled him to resist this temptation, he sees

other things to fight against. All sin is now the object of his hatred, and the whole ambition of his life seems to be to "worship God in the beauty of holiness."

He mentions it very feelingly, and with great humility, "Some people tell me what a blessed thing it is that you have mastered your drunkenness. How can any one be master of that of which he stands in fear? No; I have not mastered it-My blessed Jesus keeps me from it-keeps it from me. He keeps that fear in my heart-blessed be his name." He can now thank God for something more than mere strength to mortify a particular vice. He once was blind, but now he sees. He once was lost, but now is found. That dread of his once besetting sin, remains as a thorn in his flesh to humble him, to keep him at the feet of the Saviour. "My grace is sufficient for thee"-this arms him with courage.

During his wicked life, he always, in conversing on religion, insisted upon the necessity of a change of heart, though he then knew nothing experimentally about it. And wherever he found a Professor walking contrary to his profession, he would ridicule him severely. He, however, acknowledges that he turned the grace of God into licentiousness, and thought himself excusable in his impenitent life till God changed his heart. He was drawn into the belief that the doctrine of salvation by grace alone excluded the use of the means. He is now convinced of his mistake, and wishes this to be published for the glory of God, and the good of souls.

His conversion has stood the test of nearly four years. He is now as much respected and beloved, as he once was despised and hated. Much has been forgiven him; much he loves his Saviour. He is a burning and a shining light in the Church to which he belongs a great blessing to his family-a source

of comfort and honour to his connexions.

With

great feeling he appropriates the 126th psalm of the

Dutch version.

"When God reveal'd his gracious name,

And chang'd my mournful state;
My rapture seem'd a pleasing dream,
The grace appeared so great.

The world beheld the glorious change,
And did thy hand confess;

My tongue broke out in unknown strains,
And sang surprising grace.

"Great is the work," my neighbours cry'd,
And own'd the power divine;
"Great is the work," my heart reply'd,
"And be the glory thine."

We cannot dismiss this interesting narrative without offering to the reader a few reflections which it has forcibly brought to our minds.

1. This man's conversion strongly enforces upon pious parents an important lesson. Though they cannot regenerate their children, they may, and are bound to pray for them. In the exercise of this duty they cannot be too importunate or persevering, for by attending to it they not only benefit themselves, but also lay up in store for their offspring a greater treasure than any earthly patrimony. The promise of God to them is, "I will pour out my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring." This promise is sure, though the fulfilment of it may be delayed for many years, yea, until pious parents are dead. They ought to wait for it in faith, and by faith commit their children in prayer to Him who hath promised, and is a God of truth. The words of Dr. Watts are peculiarly appropriate.

It shan't be said that praying breath,
Was ever spent in vain.

This shall be known when we are dead,

And left on long record;

That ages yet unborn may read,

And trust, and praise the Lord.

2. In this person's case we see the complete inefficacy of good resolutions, formed in our own strength, to reform our lives. No one who knows himself, will for one moment depend upon his own powers to produce such a reformation. Unregenerate men, alarmed by the fear of punishment, and urged by the goadings of a guilty conscience, do often make the attempt, but they are surprised by every temptation, and yield to every attack of the enemy of souls. The reason is obvious their hearts are not changed, whilst they endeavour to reform their lives. Indeed, their good resolutions, all their exertions, relate only to their lives, whilst their hearts are neglected. But how can their lives be essentially changed, if their hearts previously be not radically changed? If the fountain be impure, the streams must be so likewise. And that the fountain is impure, is true; for Scripture saith, "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it?" It saith," The carnal mind is enmity against God, not subject to his law, nor indeed can be." How can they, then, who are not convinced of this their awful state, their total apostacy from God, exert themselves to change their hearts, or even wish to have them changed? The very taste, the relish, the bias of their hearts is sinful; they love sin, they cherish it. Unless their love be destroyed by some power out of themselves, their efforts to amend are vain and fruitless, because never sincere. It is well remarked, that hell is paved with

good resolutions. No doubt but the miserable outcasts from heaven have again and again determined in life to reform their conduct; and yet, remaining destitute of a radical change of heart, have entered into the place of torment where they are blaspheming God day and night. Let no one trust to himself, or think that he has still some power in himself to turn unto God when he will. Before he can cease to do evil, he must be made by the grace of God, to love to do good. He must be born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

3. Conversion, evidently from this man's case, is the Lord's work. He was powerfully and irresistibly constrained by divine love which had selected him from eternity as one of its subjects to attend to his awful state. The eyes of his understanding were opened, not by himself, for he was blind, but by the Holy Spirit, who testifies of Christ. This grand agent in the economy of redemption, implanted in him the seeds of grace, which sprung up into fruits of righteousness to the glory of God. He was guided by an almighty hand, who brought him to Christ in a way he had not known, and enabled him to find rest for his soul. Sick of his sins, he fled to Christ the great physician, who healed him by his grace. He knows not the precise time when he was converted, for such knowledge is not necessary. He knows he is converted; this is enough. God works variously in various persons; but the issue of all his saving operations is, to unite the subjects of them to Christ. If once united, they are safe; safe from the power of sin, as well as its punishment.

4. This appears from the language of this man after his conversion." I have not mastered it, (viz. his drunkenness,) my Saviour keeps me from it." This is a precious consolation to the redeemed of the Lord, Vol. III.-No. IV.

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