world: but, if any thence argue, that true believers will copy their example, they show that they are not well established in judgement, nor deeply acquainted with the nature of the divine life, or the objects of its supreme desires and peculiar fears.

158..27. Cowards...The young convert views temptations, conflicts, and persecutions, in a very different light than experienced believers do. Warm with zeal, and full of confidence which he imagines to be wholly genuine, and knowing comparatively little of his own heart, or the nature of the christian conflict, the young convert resembles a new recruit, who is apt to boast what great things he will do: but the old disciple, though much stronger in faith, and possessing habitually more vigour of holy affection, knows himself too well to boast, and speaks with modesty of the past, and diffidence of the future; like the veteran soldier, of approved valour, who has often been in actual service. They, who have boasted before-hand what they would do and suffer, rather than deny the faith, have generally either proved apostates, or been taught their weakness by painful experience. And when a real believer has thus fallen, the recollection of past boastings will add to his remorfe and terror; and SATAN will attempt to drive him to despair: so that, indeed, no man can tell what in such a combat attends us, but he that has been in ⚫ the battle himself.'-Even they, who were most remarkable for strength of faith, have often been overcome in the hour of temptation; and, when guilt got within them, they found it no easy matter to recover their hope and comfort: how then can the weak in faith be expected to overcome in such circumstances?-The accommodation of the passages from JOB to this conflict, seems merely intended to imply, that the assaults of SATAN, on these occasions, are more terrible than any thing in the visible creation can be: and that every possible advantage will be needful in order to withstand in the evil day.

162..16. Convoy...Instead of saying, "though all men deny

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thee, yet will not I," it behoves us to use all means of grace diligently, and to be instant in prayer, that the Lord himself may protect us by his power, and animate us by his presence, and then only shall we be enabled to overcome both the fear of man, and the temptations of the devil.

163..10. Put itself...This way, which seemed as straight as the right way, and in entering on which there was no stile to be passed, must denote some very plausible and gradual deviation from the simplicity of the gospel, in doctrine or practice. Peculiar circumstances may require the believer to determine how to act; when so much can be said in support of different measures, as to make him hesitate: and if he merely consider the subject in his own mind, or consult with his friends, without carefully examining the rule of scripture, and praying for divine direction; he will very probably be seduced into the wrong path: and, if he listen to the FLATTERER, he will certainly be misled. It is, therefore, requisite to enquire what is meant by the FLATTERER.-It would be a manifest impropriety to suppose these pilgrims hearkening to such as preach justification by the works of the law; or flatter men's self-complacency by harangues on the dignity of human nature, and the unbiassed freedom of the will; the sufficiency of reason in matters of religion, or the goodness of the heart; for experienced christians cannot be thus imposed on. Nor would gross antinomianism engage the attention of those, who have been in DOUBTING-CASTLE, for turning aside into BY-PATH-MEADOW. But the human mind is always accessible to flattery, in one form or other; and there have in every age been teachers and professors, who have soothed men into a good opinion of their state on insufficient grounds; or fed their spiritual pride by expressing too favourable thoughts of their attainments, which is often mistaken for a very loving spirit. This directly tends to unwatchfulness, and an unadvised way of deciding in difficult cases and thus men are imperceptibly induced to consult their own inclination, ease, or interest, instead of the will

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and glory of God. In the mean time, such flatterers commend their prudence, in allowing themselves a little rest; persuade them that they are entitled to distinction, and exempted from general rules; insinuate, that they are too well acquainted with SATAN'S devices to be deceived; and in short seem to make their opinion the standard of right and wrong. Some excellent men, from a natural easiness of temper, united with spiritual love and genuine candour, thus undesignedly too much soothe their brethren: but the FLATTERER is a black man in a white robe;' a designing hypocrite, who with plausibility, fluency of speech, talents, eloquence, or polite accomplishments, and very evangelical views of religion, " serves not our Lord JESUS CHRIST, but "his own belly; and by good words and fair speeches de"ceives the hearts of the simple." Such a man will not shock serious minds by gross antinomianism: but he will insist disproportionately and indiscriminately on privileges, promises, and consolatory topics; and thus put his auditors into good humour with themselves and consequently with him, in order to obtain advantages, not so easily acquired by other means. There are many other flatterers: but this description, coming far more in the way of evangelical professors than any other, seems emphatically to be intended. SATAN aims to lull men into a fatal security, wholly or in part flatterers of every kind are his principal agents; and a smooth, undistinguishing gospel, united to a want of plaindealing in private, has immense influence in this respect, Too often, it is to be feared, the preacher uses flattery in the pulpit and the parlour, and is reciprocally flattered or rewarded: and what wonder is it, if ungodly men take up the business as a lucrative trade, and serve their own selfish purposes, by quieting uneasy consciences into a false peace, misleading unwary souls, entangling incautious believers in a net, and thus bringing a scandal on the gospel? "SATAN "is transformed into an angel of light, and his ministers into "ministers of righteousness:" and if this were the case in

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the apostles' days, in the midst of terrible persecutions; it may well be expected, that the same attempts will be made at other times. Among persons unacquainted with the gospel a different method of seduction will be employed; in some places by vain philosophy or pharisaical self-righteousness, in others by enthusiastic imaginations or dreams of sinless perfection: but among established christians, some plausible. scheme, flattering men as wise and strong in CHRIST, and as knowing their liberty and privileges, must be adopted; such as were propagated among the CORINTHIANS, or those professors whom JAMES, PETER, and JUDE successively addressed. In the present state of religious profession, a more important caution, I apprehend, cannot be given by the united voice. of all those ministers, whom the shepherds represent, than this, Beware of the FLATTERER;' of all teachers who address the self-preference of the human heart, and thus render men forgetful of taking heed to their way according to the word of GOD.' For if men overlook the precepts of scripture, and forsake practical distinguishing preachers, to follow such as bolster up their hopes in some smoother way, they will either be fatally deceived, or drawn out of the path. of truth and duty, taken in the net of error, and entangled among injurious connections, and with perplexing difficulties: at length indeed they will be undeceived in respect of these fine-spoken men, but not till they scarcely know what to do or what will become of them. For when the Lord plucks their feet out of the net; he will humble them in the dust for their sin and folly, and make them thankful to be delivered, though with severe rebukes and corrections.

165..28. Yonder...Some false professors gradually renounce "the truth as it is in JESUS:" others openly set themselves against all kinds of religion, and turn scoffers and infidels. Indeed none are more likely to become avowed atheists, than such as have for many years professed the gospel in hypocrisy they often acquire an acquaintance with the several parts of religion, their connection with each

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other, and the arguments with which they are supported; so that they know not where to begin, if they would oppose any particular doctrine or precept of revelation: yet they hate the whole system; and, having never experienced those effects from the truth, which the scripture ascribes to it, they feel, that if there be any reality in religion, their own case is very dreadful, and wish to shake off this mortifying and alarming conviction: and, as they have principally associated with loose professors, and witnessed much folly and wickedness among them, they willingly take up a bad opinion of all who pretend to piety, (as rakes commonly revile all women) and so they make a desperate plunge, and treat the whole of religion as imposture and delusion; pretending, that upon a thorough investigation, they find it to be a compound of knavery, folly, and fanaticism. Thus GoD in awful judgement permits SATAN to blind their eyes, because they "obeyed not the "truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." Men set out with a dead faith and a worldly heart, and at length occupy the seat of the scorner! The vain reasonings and contemptuous sneers of such apostates may turn aside other unsound characters, and perplex new converts: but the experience of established believers will fortify them against these manifest delusions; corrections for previous mistakes will render them jealous of themselves, and one another; so that they will go. on their way with greater circumspection, and pity the scorner who ridicules them.

168..8. Enchanted...The ENCHANTED GROUND may represent a state of exemption from peculiar trials, and of worldly prosperity, especially when christians are unexpectedly advanced in their outward circumstances, or engaged in extensive flourishing business. A concurrence of agreeable dispensations sometimes succeed to long continued difficulties: the believer's peace is little interrupted, but he has not very high affections or consolations; he meets with respect and attention from his friends and acquaintance, and is drawn on by success in his secular undertakings. This