towards our Lord Jesus Christ," (the spring of all true holiness and goodness,)—may be strangers to that bosom. In others, there may be the excision of outward sins,the giving up of sinful habits long indulged in,—even a love of virtue,—an approval of things that are excellent, and a diligent observance of the means of grace, shall mark the character and deportment; and all the while, the heart--self-deceived-shall know nothing of the renewing, transforming, humbling power of God the Holy Ghost. Regeneration, dear reader, is a mighty and a deep work. It rests not upon the surface. It has to do with the deep, hidden principle of evil in the heart of man, it allows nothing for the tender and kindly instincts of our fallen nature: while it does not destroy nor weaken them, in the wonderful process through which the mind passes at the period of its renewal, but rather invests them with a new character, and directs them into another and a holier channel; yet, in effecting this mighty moral revolution, they occupy no part, and can lay claim to none of the glory.

This chapter may possibly arrest the attention of the rigid moralist, who, to the present, has been enveloping himself in the thick and silken foldings of a self-complacent and self-righteous spirit,—not for a moment suspecting the existence of a deep taint of ungodliness within, which, in the eye of a holy and a heart-searching God, mars all his moral virtues, and renders of none effect, all his moral duties. Dear reader, may the Lord the Spirit in his infinite mercy, bring you out of this awful state of self-deception; and, as one step towards it, he warns you in his word, to trust to no view of self presented by the false mirror of your own heart. That "heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately

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wicked." Trust not in it, it is treacherous; expect nothing truly good from it; it is a depth of undiscovered depravity. Is this harsh language? Are these sentiments revolting to you? I speak but the truth of God, when I say, your heart, in its present unrenewed state, is your worst enemy. Does it speak soothingly?—it speaks but to flatter. Does the surface look fair and pleasant to the eye? - beneath, is every thing that defiles, and that worketh abomination. O the awful picture your unrenewed heart would present to your view, were the Holy Spirit now to put in the plough of conviction, break up the hard and fallow ground, and bring to the surface the hidden evil that is there! How would you shudder at the discovery, and shrink away from the sight.

Again, shall we add, after the exceptions we have made, that an outward profession of the Gospel may exist, and yet the heart be a stranger to this spiritual process? And yet, the age we live in, demands a distinct avowal of this. If, in the days of our Lord, and of his faithful and vigilant apostles, the days when a public profession of attachment to Christ, was to mark a man for the cross and the stake; if, in their days, and under these circumstances, there were found those who could take refuge in a mere outward profession, is it astonishing that now, when it costs a man nothing to profess Christ, but rather adds to his worldly influence and emolument, thousands should run upon this quicksand, and make shipwreck of their souls? Oh, it is no marvel. Our blessed Lord foresaw, and forewarned men of this evil. Let his words-searching and solemn as though now uttered from the judgment-seat-sink down into our ears,-"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord,

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Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name have done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matt. vii. 21-23.

Yet farther than this would we go. In reviewing the negative evidences of regeneration, it is of the utmost importance that we do not overlook that close approximation to this work, which in numberless cases, may transpire, but which, when brought to the test of God's word, proves but an awful deception. Few, save those who have been taught by the Spirit, and who have accustomed themselves to analyse closely the evidences of true conversion, are aware how far an individual may go, not merely in an outward reformation of character, and an external union to Christ, but in a strong resemblance to the positive and manifest evidences of the new birth, without the actual possession of a single one. If there is one aspect in which our subject may be viewed as more solemn than another, it is this. May the eternal Spirit lead us into deep self-examination and prayer, while examining the false evidences of regeneration.

We have observed that there may be in an individual's frame of mind and outward conduct, much that bears a strong affinity and resemblance to many of the positive evidences of the new birth, without a single step towards that state having been taken. There may be, as regards the state of the mind, a deep and clear knowledge of Divine truth, a strongly enlightened judgment, and a sound and scriptural creed. There may be a strong

attachment to, and a zealous maintenance of, some of the distinguishing doctrines of grace,-even a desire to hear of Christ, and an ability to judge between sound and unsound, savoury and unsavoury preaching, and all the while, the heart may be encased in the hardness of impenitence and unbelief-a stranger to the regenerating influence of the Spirit of God. Do not misinterpret our meaning. We speak not aught against a true spiritual and experimental acquaintance with divine truth. We do not forget that there can be no faith in Christ, without some knowledge of Christ. The very existence of faith in the heart implies the existence of, and an acquaintance with, the object of faith-the Lord Jesus. We speak not against an enlarged possession of Divine knowledge. It would be well for the church of Christ, and would greatly promote her stability and real spirituality, were the standard of Divine knowledge more elevated in her midst. It would screen her from much of the unsound theology and false philosophy, which, at this moment, threaten her purity and her peace. It cannot, with perfect truth, be said, -touching an elevated and spiritual taste and thirst for experimental truth, that "wisdom and knowledge are the stability of our times." Much of the prevalent religion is characterised by "itching ears," 2 Tim. iv. 3.-"Habit of change," Prov. xxiv. 21.-"Unstableness," 2 Pet. iii. 16.-Affected by "every wind of doctrine," Eph. iv. 14; and which, in its influence, is "barren and unfruitful," 2 Pet. i. 18. Were there a more diligent and prayerful study of God's word-a more regular and constant attendance upon a stated ministry (if that ministry be found productive of spiritual benefit), connected with frequent seasons of retirement, consecrated to medita

tion, self-examination, and secret prayer, there would be less of that superficial Christianity which marks the many in this day of high and universal profession. We want more depth of knowledge-more spirituality—more experience—more of the life and power of true godliness; in a word, more of the anointing and sanctifying influences of the Holy Ghost in the church.

But, in the exception that we make, we refer to a knowledge of the truth that is not saving in its effects, is not influential in its character, and which has its place in the judgment only;-assented to, approved of, and even ably and successfully vindicated, while the soul, the seat of life, the will, the instrument of holiness,—and the heart, the home of love, are all unrenewed by the Holy Spirit. Beloved reader, you cannot be too earnestly informed, that there is a great difference in Divine knowledge. There is a knowledge of the truth, in the attainment of which a man may labour diligently, and in the possession of which, he may look like a believer; but which may not come under that denomination of a knowledge of Christ, in allusion to which our dear Lord in his memorable prayer, uses these words, "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." John xvii. 3. The fatal error to which you are exposed is-O that you may have escaped it!—the substituting a knowledge of Divine truth in the judgment, for the quickening grace of God in the heart. It is surprising, how far an outwardly moral individual may go in Divine attainmentsspiritual knowledge-eminent gifts-and even great usefulness, and yet retain the carnal mind, the rebellious will, the unhumbled and unbroken heart. If the volume of Divine truth had not informed us of this, and supplied