"Hence our Lord, when illustrating the nature of pure religion in the human heart, compares it to the grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field; but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof." Page 8.

London:

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ON PROGRESS IN RELIGION.

PART I.

"The regeneration of the Christian is his moral infancy. If we suppose him to live through even a moderate period after he is renewed; it is incredible, that his holiness should not increase in strength." Dr. Dwight.

The Corries spent the Evening at the Elms, in company with a few pious friends, who resided in the neighbourhood; and an allusion having been made to a discourse which most of them heard delivered at the Chapel on the preceding Sabbath, Mr. Corrie said, that the Evangelical preachears, in the present day, were vastly inferior in sound doctrinal sentiment to their celebrated predecessors." We have no Romaine in the Church, and," turning to Mr. Holmes, he added, "I suppose you admit, Sir, that we have no Newton ?"

Mr. Holmes. "The Church, Sir, lost two of its brightest ornaments, when those good and faithful servants of Christ departed, to receive the recompense of reward; but yet the Lord has raised up others, who, if not equally eminent with Romaine or Newton, are qualified for the work which they have to do."

Mr. Corrie: We have many men of talent in the Church, and many amongst the Dissenters; but, Sir, they do not preach such a full and such a free salvation as we have been accustomed to hear. They are perpetually urging us to do something, when we very well know that it is not in our power to do any thing. It is from God, as we express it in one of our prayers, that all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed.""

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Mr. Holmes. "Very true, Sir, but do we not perform the just works, and execute the good counsels, and cherish the holy desires, which originally come from him? To say, then, that we who are made alive from the dead, have no powerto do any thing, is, in my opinion, not only contrary to the evidence of experience, but the testimony of the Scriptures; for, are we not sommanded to grow in grace?

Mr. Corrie. "This doctrine of progressive sanctification is becoming very fashionable amongst our modern divines; but our old ministers very justly exploded it, as an Arminian error. I am no holier than I was when I first believed; and I have never met with a real Christian who has not made the same confession."

Mr. Holmes. "We inay not have made that improvement in knowledge and in purity, which we might have done; but I think we ought not to employ our negligence as a valid argument against a scriptural injunction. Are we not in the habit of mourning over the perverseness of our tempers, the levity of our dispositions, the impurity of our desires, the irregularity of our principles, the defects of our obedience; and praying for a larger measure of influence from above, to strengthen and sanctify our inner man? But how can we justify such a habit of procedure, unless we believe that it is our duty, to add to our faith, virtue ; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherty kindness, charity? And does not the Apostle, in the chapter from whence I have made this quotation, connect our present diligence, in this branch of our obligation to God, with our triumphant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

Mr. Corrie. "Then, Sir, you place some dependance on your moral attainments, for an entrance into heaven; which is a virtual rejection of the glorious doctrine of salvation by grace.”

Mr. Holmes. "No, Sir; I expect to be saved by grace, through faith; but at the same time, I admit, that the holy principles which are implanted in my heart, are to acquire a progressive degree of influence over me. I feel, that when I would do good, evil is present with me; but am I to allow the evil to overcome me without making any resistance? I feel a power to will that which is good, but have not the power to perform it; am I then to make no effort? Do we not read that He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength?”

Mr. Corrie. "The admission of this doctrine will

prove destructive of our peace and confidence, by diverting our attention from Christ Jesus, in whom we are accepted as complete, and fixing it on our own experience; and this, in my opinion, is the cause, why so many are deprived of the rich consolation of grace; and are left to pursue the way to the kingdom in a state of spiritual darkness."

Mr. Holmes. "If, Sir, we substitute our experience for the atonement of Jesus Christ, and found our hope of future happiness on the higher degrees of our personal attainments, rather than the merit of his obedience and death, I admit that our peace would be destroyed, and that we should be left without the light of the divine countenance. But this is not done. We simply adhere to the sacred injunction, which requires us to examine ourselves, to prove ourselves, and to know ourselves. And how can we know our true character, and our real moral condition, without looking into our heart, without scrutinizing the actions of our life, and without comparing all our thoughts, and feelings, and desires, and expressions, and doings, with the rules of our duty, which are prescribed in the word of God? And does not this process of self-inspection issue in a more full and deep conviction of our sinfulness and unworthiness-and induce us to embrace, with more eager faith, and more ardent gratitude, that scheme of mercy which makes such ample provision for the salvation of the chief of sinners? I believe, Sir, you were at the Chapel on Sunday Evening."

Mr. Corrie. "Yes, Sir, I was; but I did not approve of the discourse. I like Mr. K upon the whole. I think him a good man, and a good preacher; but 1 cannot agree with him on all points, especially the one which he discussed on Sabbath Evening. I never expect to be free from sin; till I enter heaven."

Mr. Holmes. Nor, Sir, did Mr. K― ever insinuate, that it was possible for any one to attain to a state of sinless perfection in this life; though he certainly proved, at least in my opinion, that it was no less the privilege than the duty of every Christian to aim

at it."

Mr. Corrie. "But what use to make the effort, if we have no hope of succeeding; and to urge us to do it, is

a species of spiritual tyranny, which requires the tale of bricks, without supplying the straw."

Mr. Holmes. "We may not hope to attain a state of entire perfection in this life; but being strengthened by the Spirit of God in our inner man, we may attain to higher degrees of personal purity, and devotion.— Surely, Sir, you will not say, that we hate sin as much as we may be induced to hate it! that we love God as much as we may be induced to love him! that our faith, our patience, our submission, our zeal, our humility have acquired that degree of strength and ardour, which admits of no increase! Surely, Sir, you will not contend, that the motives of our conduct are as pure as they may become by the renewing influence of the Holy Spirit."

Mr. Corrie. "I admit, Sir, that God could, if he pleased, make us, even now, as holy as the spirits of the just who are made perfect; but for wise, and mysterious reasons, he permits us to remain imperfect and all efforts to rise above the level of our present de praved condition, will merely serve to plunge us deepe into the slough of despond. I expect to be saved by grace, but never expect to be free from sin, till I ente heaven."

Mr. Holmes. " Well, Sir, we will not pursue the subject any longer, as it is not likely that I shall succeed, in convincing you of the possibility of making progress in knowledge and in grace, after the failure of our judicious minister, Mr. Kent; but I most readily agree with you in your last expression: I do not expect to be free from sin, till I enter heaven."

The Holmes's were so much delighted with the Sermon, that, at the suggestion of Miss Holmes, an application was made to the Rev. Mr. K. for a copy of it, which he very politely complied with. It was delivered to a very crowded and attentive audience, and as its publication may promote the spiritual improvement and happiness of the reader, it is now given from the press, with all its excellencies and defects.

But grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory, both now and for ever. Amen.

The scheme of truth, which the scriptures contain,