state has been worse than the first. But when such proposals are repulsed with decided abhorrence, and earnest prayers; the Lord will give deliverance and victory.-The faithful admonitions and warnings of a stated pastor are especially intended by the Conductor. The Reliever seems to represent the occasional direction and counsel of some able minister; for he speaks of CHRIST, as his Lord, and must therefore be considered as one of the servants by whom help is sent to the distressed.

34..15. This done...The emblematical instruction at the INTERPRETER's house, in the former part, was so important and comprehensive, that no other selection equally interesting could be expected: some valuable hints, however, are here adduced. The first emblem is very plain; and so apposite, that it is wonderful any person should read it with. out lifting up a prayer to the Lord, and saying,

Oh! ⚫ deliver me from this muck-rake.' Yet alas, it is to be feared, such prayers are still little used even by professors of the gospel; at least they are contradicted by the habitual conduct of numbers among them: and this may properly lead us to weep over others and tremble for ourselves.

35..23. Spider...The instruction grounded on accommodation of scriptural quotations, though solid and important, is not so convincing to the understanding, as that which results from the obvious meaning of the words, though many persons are for the time more excited to attention, by a lively exercise of the imagination, and the surprise of unexpected inferences. This method, however, should be used with great caution by the friends of truth; for it is a most formidable engine in the hands of those, who endeavour to 'pervert or oppose it.The author did not mean by the emblem of the spider, that the sinner might confidently assure himself of salvation, by the blood of CHRIST, while he continued full of the poison of sin, without experiencing or evidencing any change: but only, that no consciousness of inward pollution or actual guilt need discourage any one

from applying to CHRIST, and fleeing for refuge to" lay hold "on the hope set before him," that thus he may be delivered from condemnation, and cleansed from pollution, and so made meet for those blessed mansions, into which no unclean thing can find admission.

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36..30. A hen...Our Lord hath, in immense condescension, employed this emblem, to represent his tender love to his people, for whom he bare the storm of wrath himself, that they might be safe and happy under the shadow of his wings. The common call signifies the general invitations of the gospel, which should be addressed without restriction to all men that come under the sound of it: " as many as ye find, bid to the marriage." The special call denotes those influences of the Spirit, by which the heart is sweetly made willing to embrace the invitation, and apply for the blessing, in the use of the appointed means, by which sinners actually experience the accomplishment of the promises, as their circumstances require.-The brooding note was intended to represent that communion with GOD, and those consolations of the Holy Spirit, which the scriptures encourage us to expect, and by which the believer is trained up for eternal felicity;-whilst the out-cry refers to the warnings, and cautions, by which believers are excited to vigilance, circumspection, and self-examination, and to beware of all deceivers and delusions.

38..3.Garden...We ought not to be contented, (so to speak,) with a situation among the useless and noxious weeds of the desert: but if we be planted among the ornamental and fra grant flowers of the Lord's garden, we may deem ourselves sufficiently distinguished and honoured. We should, therefore, watch against envy and ambition, contempt of our brethren, and contention. We ought to be satisfied in our place, doing "nothing through strife or vain-glory," or "with murmurings and disputings:" but endeavouring, in the meekness of wisdom, to diffuse a heavenly fragrance

Matt. xxiii. 37.

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around us, and "to adorn the doctrine of God our "Saviour in all things."

..11. Field...The labour and expence of the husbandman are not repayed by the straw or the chaff, but by the corn. The humiliation and sufferings of CHRIST, the publication of the gospel, the promises and instituted ordinances, and the labour of ministers were not intended merely to bring men to profess certain doctrines, or observe certain forms; or even to produce convictions, affections, or comforts, in any order or degree whatsoever; but to render men fruitful in good works, by the influences of the Spirit of CHRIST, and through his sanctifying truth: and all profession will terminate in everlasting contempt and misery, which is not productive of this good fruit, whatever men may pretend, or however they may deceive themselves and one another.

40..3. One sin...By repentance and faith in CHRIST, the leaks that sin hath made are, as it were, stopped: but one sin, habitually committed with allowance, proves a man's profession hypocritical, however plausible it may be in all other respects; as one leak unstopped will assuredly at length sink the ship.

..24. More merit...This observation is grounded on the good old distinction, that the merit of CHRIST's obedience unto death is sufficient for all, though only effectual to some; namely, in one view of the subject, to the elect, in another to all who by faith apply for an intereft in it. This makes way for general invitations, and shows it to be every one's duty to repent and believe the gospel; as nothing but pride, the carnal mind, and enmity to GOD and religion, influence men to neglect so great salvation: and, when the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit accompanies the word, sinners are made willing to accept the proferred mercy, and encouraged by the general invitations, which before they sinfully slighted.

44..2. Given credit...This is a most simple definition of faith: it is the belief of the truth," as the sure testimony

NOTES UPON PART II.

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of God, relative to our most important concerns. When we thus credit those truths that teach us the peril of our situation as justly condemned sinners, we are moved with fear, and humbled in repentance: when we thus believe the report of a refuge provided for us, our hopes are excited: those truths that relate to inestimable blessings attainable by us, when really credited, kindle our fervent desires; while such as show us the glory, excellency, and mercy of GoD our Saviour, and our obligations to his redeeming grace, produce, and work by, love, gratitude, and every fervent affection. This living faith influences a man's judgement, choice,and conduct; and especially induces him to receive JESUSCHRIST for all the purposes of salvation, and to yield himself to his service, as constrained by love of him and zeal for his glory.-We need no other ground for this faith, than the authenticated word of GOD. This may be brought to our recollection by means of distress or danger, or even in a dream, or with some very strong impression on the mind: yet true faith rests only on the word of GOD, according to its meaning as it stands in the Bible; and not on the manner in which it occurs to the thoughts, or according to any new sense put upon it in a dream, or by an impression; as this would be a new revelation. For if the words "Thy sins are forgiven "thee," should be impressed on my mind; they would contain a declaration no where made in scripture concerning me; consequently the belief of them on this ground would be a faith not warranted by the word of God. Now as we have no reason to expect such new revelations, and as SATAN can counterfeit any of these impressions; we must consider every thing of this kind as opening a door to enthusiasm, and the most dangerous delusions; though many, who rest their confidence on them, have also scriptural evidence of their acceptance, which they overlook. On the other hand should the following words be powerfully impressed on my mind, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out," or, "He that confesseth and forsaketh his sin

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"shall find mercy;" I may deduce encouragement from the words, according to the genuine meaning of them as they stand in scripture, without any dread of delusion, or any pretence to new revelations; provided I be conscious, that I do come to CHRIST, and confess my sins with the sincere purpose of forsaking them. But there are so many dangers in this matter, that the more evidently our faith and hope are grounded wholly on the plain testimony of GoD, and confirmed by our subsequent experience and conduct; the safer will our course be, and the less occasion will be given to the objections of our despisers.

44..23. Bath...The author calls this The bath of sanctification,' in a marginal note: whence we may infer, that he especially meant to intimate, that believers should constantly seek fresh supplies of grace from the Holy Spirit, to purify their hearts from the renewed defilement of sin, which their intercourse with the world will continually occasion; and to revive and invigorate those holy affections, which in the same manner are apt to grow languid. Yet he did not intend to exclude their habitual reliance on the blood of CHRIST for pardon and acceptance: for in both respects we need daily washing. The sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience warrants the true Christian's "peace and joy in "believing:" it gives him beauty in the sight of his brethren; it strengthens him for every conflict and service; and the image of CHRIST, discernible in his spirit and conduct, seals him as a child of GOD and an heir of glory; while the inward consciousness of living by faith in the Son of GOD for all the blessings of salvation, and of experiencing all filial affections towards GOD as his reconciled Father, inspires him with humble joy and confidence in his love.

45..23. White raiment...The pilgrims are supposed to have been justified on their admission at the gate; the INTERPRETER is the emblem of the Holy Spirit; and the raiment here mentioned rendered those who were adorned with it comely in the eyes of their companions. We cannot,