1. The conscience must be which, distinguishes between 1 amazingly pained, when it finds right and wrong, and which ap- that the present bias of the heart plies the distinction between is directly in opposition to its them to our own conduct; ei- own dictates. This representather justifying or condemning, tion leads us very naturally, to according as the nature of our see what it is for the conscience ronduct appears to be right or to be purged from dead works. wrong. Whether conscience is It is, to be freed from those to be considered as a distinct fa- painful apprehensions, which aculty of the mind, or only arise from a view of guilt already branch of the understanding, we contracted; and also from those shall not now undertake to as-distressing feelings, which arise certain, because the subject of from having its dictates opposed cur present enquiry is entirely by the present inclination of the independent of a solution of this heart. And this is necessary to point. But be it which it may, be done, to enable the guilty it is not unfrequently in so in-criminal to serve the living God. perfect and vitiated a state, that To illustrate this idea, it is nelittle dependence can be placed cessary to be somewhat more upon it. Sometimes it condemns particular. that which it ought to justify; and again, justifies that which it freed from those painful apprecught to condemn: And some-hensions, which arise in view of times also its voice is totally sti- past contracted guilt. When fied, being "seared with a hot the conscience of a sinner is truiron." Hence the great God, ly enlightened by the coming of knowing that the light within the commandment, he looks back us is darkness," has been pleas-upon his past sins, and views ed to give us his word for a them in a most awful light"lamp to our feet and a light to Their number and their aggra our paths." Enlightened by this vations arise before him in the heavenly ray," the conscience most painful and distressing often judges with propriety, and manner. His sins against a ho passes a just and righteous sen-ly and sovereign God, who has tence on him, in whose bosom always supported and provided it resides. And in this situa- for him; his sins against a comtion it is often greatly burdened passionate Saviour, who has diwith sin. For as we are all ed to atone for his transgresguilty criminais, and possess by sions; and his sins against the nature the disposition of rebels Holy Spirit, which has often against our rightful Sovereign, striven to convince him of his an enlightened conscience can-wretched state, and to induce nct but pass a sentence of con-him to become reconciled to demnation, both for the past, God; as well as his sins against and also for the present disposi- his fellow men, all stare him in tion of the mind: And for these the face, and fill him with most things it already anticipates the alarming apprehensions. He is righteous judgment of God. It conscious that he has sinned not is dreadfully alarmed, when it only in his conduct and words, but reflects on the guilt, which has also in the thoughts and desires been already contracted; and is of his heart. And so great docs his guilt appear to be, that he him, without being distracted sees nothing before him but "in-with fearful apprehensions, that dignation and wrath, tribulation his services will not be acceptaand anguish." He trembles, ble. His conscience is now purwhile he reads the holy law of ged from the burden of contractGod, armed with the sentence ed guilt, and in this view he has of death against the transgress-now "no more conscience of or. He trembles, while he con- sin." He does not feel, as tho' templates a holy and almighty he had never transgressed on God, clothed with vengeance a- the contrary, the very idea, that gainst the workers of iniquity; his heavenly Father has forgivand he trembles, also, when he en him, fills him with most aconsiders, that the compassion-basing thoughts of his own vileate Saviour whom he has reject-ness, and disposes him to lie in ed, and whose blood he has tram- the dust before him. Having all pled under his feet, is to be his his transgressions, however for final Judge. Where can he fly? given him, he is no longer conTo whom can he go for protect-scious of that fearful distance bcion? In every direction guilt tween him and an offended Sovstares him in the face, and fills ereign, which formerly distresshim with most alarming appre-ed his mind, and which was an hensions of deserved punish-insuperable bar in the way of ment. What can he do? If he his serving him with cheerfulattempts to pray, he asks withness and tranquillity. Now the painful solicitude, will a holy only way, in which a sinner can God hear the prayers of such a obtain evidence that his sins are guilty wretch? Will he accept forgiven, is by obtaining, eviof any service at my hands? He dence that he is united to Christ, dares not answer these enquir- who has atoned for them by his -ies in the affirmative; and his own death. While his fears are -heart, borne down with the pres- all alarmed by painful appre-sure of guilt, breaks out in lan-hensions of divine wrath, he finds .guage like this: "Oh! for nothing, except the blood of the some token of forgiving love! eternal Son of God, from which -Some, cheering, word like this; a single ray of hope can be dẹthy sins are forgiven thee rived. How can God consistentAnd till this is the case, he finds ly forgive such an awful transno humble boldness in address-gressor, as I have been? is a ang the throne of divine grace question, for which he can find -no courage in attempting the no answer till by faith he beholds discharge of any duty. Like a the Lamb of God. External child, that has lost its parents ceremonies appear empty; his favor, he mourns in secret, and own righteousness totally insul-scarcely dares look up to his officent, and at the same time dhe fended God. But when once he is assured, that God hath forgiven him, and hath passed by his transgressions, his feelings are instantly changed. With humble boldness he can now approach his throne and serve divine perfections appear to demand his condemnation. “How can the justice of God be supported if I go free? How can his truth be maintained, if I am not condemned? How can his Loliness this without obscurity, of the heart. An enlightened conscience looks not only at the past, but also at the present. It not only estimates and feels the weight of guilt already contracted, but examines also the pres if such a vile sinner, as I have been, am not for ever excluded from his presence?" These are questions for which he can find no answer. Not a ray of hope presents itself, while he seems to be encircled with all the ter-ent temper and disposition of rors of the Almighty. But when the heart, and anticipates that once the eye of faith presents which is to come. It is preparto him a Saviour, bearing the ed, either to approve or disapsins of the world, while hanging prove of every action and feeling on the accursed tree, he at once as it arises to view. If, theresees that God can be just, and at fore, the heart be at present sinthe same time, justify him that ful, the conscience disapproves believeth on Jesus. In the atone- and condemns. If dead works ment of Christ he sees, that at present occupy the mind, the mercy and peace have met to- dictates of conscience are opposgether, and that righteousness ed thereby. In this state of and truth have kissed each other; mind it declares, that every perand the moment he obtains evi-formance is essentially wrong.'dence that he is united to Christ, It testifies, that God can never that moment those mountains of be pleased with performances, guilt, which had before separat- which totally disagree with the ed him from his God, are re-true spirit of his requirements. moved. He feels the efficacy of It declares, that the subject of that blood, which cleanseth from this sinful temper is altogether all sin; and being purged by unfit to have communion with this most precious sacrifice, he the Father of lights; and, that has no more conscience of sin, every action, thus performed, is as interposing an insuperable but adding to the weight of dibar between him and his God.vine wrath. And how distressing He can now in the name of his at times is this opposition beRedeemer, approach with hum-tween the heart and conscience! ble boldness, and plead with his Maker, as a child would plead with a tender forgiving parent. His obedience is no longer restrained by a fear of offending; for though he is conscious, that he comes short in every duty, yet he believes, that in the heav-ever replies; "I cannot serve ens he has a most powerful advocate with the Father. Thus the blood of Christ purges the conscience from that weight of guilt, which dead works contract. 2. The conscience must be freed in some degree from the pain of having its dictates opposed by the present inclination If any duty be attempted in this state of mind, conscience remonstrates, and says; "cursed is the man that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully, or that bringeth his sacrifice with a wicked mind." The heart how Con the Lord in any other manner, .1805. Letter to the Missionary Society of Connecticut. 293 of yourself offer no sacrifice sufficient to atone for your aggravated sins? And despairing of help in yourself, have you taken the sacrifice, which was offered by Christ, and presenting it, as it were, on the altar of your own heart, addressed the Father of all mercies in language like this: which thou didst provide. This I offer to atone for my sins, and on this alone do I depend for forgiveness, for justification and for complete redemption?" And in connection with this offering of faith, have you found your heart so purified from evil affections, as to have the "testimony of your conscience, that in simpli he will, he is still terrified with those dreadful sanctions, with which God has clothed his holy law. Where in this state of mind can the sinner fly? What can he do to silence this accuser, which God has placed in his breast? How can he in this state of mind serve the living God? -How does he present to him a sa-"Here is the blood of thy Son crifice, which, his own heart tells him, must be an abomination? He reads these words of the apostle'; "Brethren, if our own Chearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things," and in view of them trembles. But when once his sinful temper is taken away, and his own spirit testifies, that the love of God, as an active princi-city and godly sincerity, not with ple, is implanted in his heart, the conscience instantly harmonizes, and goes hand in hand with the desires of the mind. It at once lays aside all that forbid-fluence of the blood of your Reding austerity, which it had be- deemer, you may well rejoice in fore assumed, and those painful the "assurance of hope." If not, feelings, which arose from the has not Christ, as to you, died temper of the heart being oppo- in vain. sed to its dictates. With sweet "composure of mind he can now walk in the ways of the divine commandments, and serve his God without distraction. Thus the blood of Christ removes every obstacle in the way of a sinner's serving God,-thus it purges the conscience from dead works. Reader! Hast thou thus experienced the efficacy of the pre fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, you have your conversas tion in the world?" If you thus bear witness to the purifying in EUBULUS. Letter from the Directors of the DEAR BRETHREN IN THE LORD! cious blood of the Son of God? YOUR friendly communica Has your conscience ever been greatly burdened with a sense of guilt? Have your sins appeared to render you so abominable, that you had no confidence in doing any thing acceptably before your Maker? Have you been conscious, that you could tions of May 4th afforded us much satisfaction. To maintain a correspondence with our brethren, though separated by the wide Atlantic, yet united with us in Spirit and engaged in the same delightful work of spreading the gospel, is extremely grateful to our minds, and we hope it will be long continued. Providence may direct, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. The same vessel conveys the Rev. Mr. Vos and others to the island of Ceylon, where we trust an ef fectual door will be opened for the admission of the gospel. Since the departure of these brethren the Society has determined to send three or four Missionaries to the populous city of Surat, which appears to be a ve persons are selected for this great undertaking and will probably sail from England in the course of a few weeks. The Report will furnish you with a general account of the success with which the great Head of the church has crowned the Missions among the degraded children of Ham in South-Africa. You will naturally wish to be informed of our proceedings, we therefore inclose our last annual Report which gives a general account of the state of our various Missions. Very lately advices have been received from Otaheite by which we learn that the Missionaries are preserved in peace and safety-that they have preached the gospel to far the greater part of the inhabi-ry important station. Suitable ants, but as yet with very little apparent effect. Pomerre the king's father, and chief ruler of the island, who was looked upon by our Missionaries as their principal friend, is dead; but they hope they shall enjoy the protection of the government. The inhabitants are dreadfully reduced by war and disease. In France our operations are totallyThe labors of our Brother suspended by reason of the war. Mr. Mitchell has removed from New-Carlisle in New Brunswick, but a Mr. Pidgeon has lately been sent to occupy his station and itinerate in that country. We greatly lament the want of laborers in New-Brunswick and many parts of Canada. Would it not be practicable for your society to send Missionaries thith-able to return to the Cape from er? There seems to be a great Holland, but we trust are now disposition in some places to on the point of departure. hear the word, it is much to be regretted that the laborers there are so very few. Kicherer appear to have been singularly owned of God for the conversion of many. Three of the people came over with him to Europe, whose appearance and lively conversation in Holland and at London inspired our Christian friends with the liveliest emotions of gratitude and zeal. They have not yet been The Society being engaged in the pursuit of so many important objects greatly needs the - Our Society has long wished divine assistance, for which we to dispatch the messengers of sincerely request your earnest gospel peace to the numerous in-supplications. Hitherto the Lord habitants of the East-Indies. A has helped us. We have reafew months ago Mr. Ringeltaube, son to hope that the liberality of Mr. Craw and Mr. Des Granges the public will keep pace with left England for Tranquebar, our extended operations, and we from whence after learning the have the satisfaction of receiving language, they will go to the from time to time fresh labormost suitable spot to whichers who willingly consecrate |