Lastly. Maniacs cannot be convinced that they are beside themselves. Neither can the impenitent. Indeed, nothing enrages a madman more, than to tell him seriously, and affectionately, that he is under the guidance of a distempered mind. In a rage too, impenitent sinners accuse the ministers, people, and word of God, of madness. Who was he that said, "Because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not?" It was the God who dwelt "So then I have become your enemy," examong us. claimed an apostle, "because I tell you the truth!"* We need no other evidence that "madness is in their heart while they live." Of all sin, the pious Newton has well said, ""Tis palsy, plague, and fever,

And madness all combin❜d;

And none but a believer

The least relief can find."

To those, who confess the insanity of sin and the madness of unbelief, God has given the spirit of power, and of love, and OF A SOUND MIND. Other persons are prevented by their delirium of sin, from perceiving that they are poor, miserable, blind and naked; and that they take the most effectual measures to exclude relief.

Let the sons of pleasure, the men of science, the fair, the honourable, and the mighty of this world, consider these things. Especially let those who profess to preach Christ, and preach him not, reflect that of all insane persons they are the most dangerous and culpable. To be a mad teacher of madmen, an insane physician of lunatics, a blind leader of the blind- "O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united!"

• Macknight's Translation.

It should be had in everlasting remembrance, that concerning some it is written, because they receive not the love of the truth, "for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."

END OF VOL. I.

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