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dially engaging in religion in the feafon of youth, and the dangerous and critical fituation of thofe, who have continued impenitent till on the decline of life; fince fo few appear to be renewed or bro't to repentance in this latter period. The most, who have made a pub. lic profeffion, fuppofe, that they have become reconciled during this peculiar effufion of the Holy Spirit; but fome, who date their converfion several years back, have now been more quickened, and confirmed in their hopes. Others have been fhaken from their old hopes, been brought to fee that they were building on the fand, and have now hopefully embraced the Saviour, and thus built on the rock of ages. There are perhaps 20 who entertain a hope of having made their peace with God, and who have yet made no public profeffion.

ger. They generally fet out with a refolution and expectation to do fomething to make themselves better-commend themselves to God, and procure his favor, having no just sense of their entire depravity of heart, or moral inability. But the more they attended to the duties of religion, and endeavored to make themselves better; the more fenfible they became of their exceeding depravity and guilt.Like the woman, who spent all he had to be healed of the phyficians, they were fenfible, that they were nothing bettered, but rather grew worfe. They were foon brought to fee, that their hearts were full of fin and oppofition against God; and thus were feelingly convinced of the truth of these declarations of fcripture concerning finners-that they are dead in trefpaffes and fins-are enemies to God that every imagination of the thought of their heart is only evil continually, and that none can go to Chrift, unless drawn by the Father. When under thorough conviction, they would readily acknowledge, that they were fenfible, that they were greatly oppofed to God's character, laws, and government-that they had always acted from a wicked, selfish heart, and therefore had never done any thing right in the fight of God. They would obferve, that they formerly had no idea, that they were oppofed to God, but ufed to fuppofe, that they had fome love to him, and did many things which were right and acceptable in his view, and that it therefore appeared as if it would be hard and unIt has been remarkably free just in God to doom them to deffrom all irregularity and enthufi-truction but that they were now afm. The convictions have been fenfible, they had always been in oprational, but deep and powerful. pofition against God-had always When first awakened, perfons were acted from a finful temper, and fo generally moved by a fenfe of dan- had been finning against him in all

It may be remarked, that the converts are chiefly from families where one or both the parents were profeffors or hopefully friendly to religion, and where fome serious regard had been paid to divine things. This confideration affords parents a very powerful motive to engage in religion, and bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. By neglecting these things, parents are deftroying both themfelves, and their children.

Having given this general sketch of the beginning and progrefs of the revival; I fhall proced to fome obfervations, to illuftrate in a more particular manner, the nature of the work.

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their moral conduct, and that he, dered them fenfible of their need

of the Lord Jefus, as their Sa-
viour, to deliver them both from
the power and punishment of fin,
and fo prepared them to trust in

These were generally the views and feelings of those, who now hope they are reconciled, while they were under conviction, although there might be fome circumftantial differences. The convictions of fome were more sharp and

Some experienced them for a lon-
ger, fome for a fhorter term. But
when they were very powerful,
the fubjects of them commonly
found relief the fooner. A certain
perfon, who is among the hope-
ful converts, was not under real
conviction more than half a day,
before her mind was filled with
comfort. She lived in a remote
part of the fociety, which render-
ed it difficult for her to attend pub-
lic worship and fo had not been at
any religious meetings, fince the
uncommon attention began. But
hearing of it, and of the conver-
fation of fome youth, who appear-
ed to be converts, it ftruck her

might justly caft them off forever.
In this ftage of their convictions
they did not feel, as if their great
finfulness consisted in any particu-
lar finful misconduct or immorali-him alone for falvation.
ties, but in their hearts, that great
fountain and fource of all wicked-
nefs, and in the general temper,
which actuated them in all their
conduct. They were feelingly
convinced, that they never could
enjoy any real peace or happiness,
or participate in the holy enjoy-powerful than thofe of others.
ments of heaven, unless their hearts
were renewed by the divine fpirit.
They were alfo fully fenfible, that
fuch was their depravity and op-
pofition to God and holiness, that
they never should repent, and cor-
dially embrace the gospel, unless
influenced by the fpirit of God;
and that he might, in juftice leave
them to go on and perish in their
fins. Thus they felt, that they lay
at mere, fovereign and uncovenan-
ted mercy that their only ground
of hope was, that God, through
Chrift could have mercy, on whom
he would have mercy.
In this
fituation they were fenfible, that
the doctrine of divine fovereignty
or election, which mankind natur-mind, that it must be something
ally oppofe and deny with fuch bit-
ternefs, was their only ground of
hope. For if God were not to have
mercy upon them, till they had
done fomething to recommend
themselves to his mercy, or to pro-
cure his grace they felt that their
cafe would be hopeless. Neither
did they feel, as if their hearts be-
ing wholly depraved or oppofed to
God, would afford them any juft
excufe for remaining impenitent;
but they were feelingly convinced
that fhould they perish, the blame
would fall upon themfelves. This
view of their character and fituation
ftripped them of their felf-right-
eoufnefs and felf-dependence, ren-thoughts lay with weight on her

great and powerful to produce fuch
a change in their feelings and con-
verfation; and that therefore con-
verfion must be a great and impor-
tant change. Soon after this fhe
attended a meeting one evening,
and thought fhe never before heard
fuch truths and exhortations, as
were delivered by the speaker. As
he endeavoured to thew the impor
tance of religion for fupport on a
dying bed, and preparation to meet
our judge in peace, fhe was affec-
ted with a fenfe of the dreadfulness
of being called to meet death,
while in a ftate of fin and oppofi-
tion against the Almighty. Thefe

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mind that night, till fhe fell asleep, | lightful; they cordially approved

and returned next morning when fhe awoke. But foon after, fhe was very powerfully impreffed with a fense of her exceeding wickednefs and criminality, and felt, as if fhe was the most vile, unworthy finner on earth. She was fo op preffed and diftreffed with a fenfe of her finfulness, that she could not attend to the concerns of her family. But before noon her mind was relieved. Her heart was filled with joy, love and praife to God from a view of the loveliness of his glorious character, and of his great mercy and condefcenfion to finners. Her great defire was that all would praise God. She continued in this fituation, praising and rejoicing in God two or three days, before the thought he had any title to falvation.

Others were under conviction three or four days, or a week, and some for several weeks or months, before they appeared to become reconciled to God.

of its truths and requirements as juft and reafonable. Sin appeared hateful; they felt very vile and criminal on account of their fin and oppofition against God, Jefus Chrift, and the gofpel, and were ready to wonder, that they had been fpared, or that there was any hope in their cafe. They felt a difpofition to love and forgive their enemies, and to feek and pray for the falvation of all around them. Thefe and other fimilar views and feelings have been generally manifested by the converts. But fome have manifested a much more lively fense of these things than others. At first their minds were fo engrosfed by thefe objects, that they thought little or nothing about their own falvation. Others have obferved, that it feemed to them, that God's character would appear glorious and lovely, and they could rejoice in it, even if they should be caft off. Their love to God and his government appeared to originate from a real reconciliation to his holy character, and therefore to be effentially different from that falfe, selfish love, which arifes from a belief that God is reconciled to us, and defigns to fave us in particular. For it is from finding in themselves this love and recon

and government, and a difpofition to delight in the truths and duties of religion, that they indulge a hope, that they have become heirs of falvation.

When they found fenfible relief in their minds, it was commonly from a discovery of the glory, amiableness, and rectitude of the divine character, and from a difpofition to fubmit to God. On difcovering the glory of the divine character they felt a difpofition to love, praise and rejoice in God,ciliation to God's character, law, whatever became of them. They had newviews and feelings towards almost every thing around-Jefus Chrift appeared glorious and lovely, and fuch an all-fufficient Saviour, as they needed; and therefore they cordially trufted in him for falvation. They were pleafed with the terms of the gofpel, which are calculated to exalt God and humble finners. They could rejoice, that the Lord reigned, and would dif pofe of all events, as he faw beft. The bible appeared new and de

Thofe, who entertain this hope, generally appear to have a humble fenfe of their finfulness, unworthinefs, and entire dependence upon God, and continual need of the quickening, affifting influences of the holy fpirit; and exprefs an earneft defire to be freed from their remaining depravity. Numbers of

concerning the Articles of Faith, adopted by this church, that the firft time they heard them after this change, it appeared to them, that they had been greatly altered from what they were before. For they used to appear very hard and unreafonable and as if none could really believe or approve of them; but that they now contained nothing, which did not appear rational and to which they could not fully and cordially affent.

the youth have obferved, that they formerly fuppofed religion to be gloomy, difagreeable, and that it would deftroy all their pleasure and comfort, fhould they embrace it. Therefore they could not think of engaging in it, and were really afraid they fhould have it. But they now fay "they never knew what real peace or happinefs was before-that at times they find a joy and fatisfaction in God and divine things, which far exceeds all the pleasures that the world can afford, and that they have experienced more real hap-markable display of the fovereign pinefs in attending one religious meeting than in all their vain, finful amufements."

The peculiar doctrines of the gofpel, fuch as the entire depravity of the natural heart, regeneration by the efficacious influences of the holy fpirit, juftification by faith alone, God's fovereignty and univerfal government, or his decrees and election-thefe doctrines which are fo croffing to the depraved feelings of the natural heart, and fo bitterly oppofed and denied by many, appear to be very fully and cordially embraced by thofe who are hopefully renewed. Altho' many of them once difliked thefe doctrines, and thought them very hard and unreasonable, as impenitent finners generally do; yet they appeared to be led immediately into them by the convictions of the divine fpirit, as being the only doctrines which afforded any ground of hope to finners. Some of them have obferved, that it appears to them, that every one who has been brought to a juft fenfe of his ruined fituation, through the renewing influences of the fpirit, and become reconciled to God, must be convinced of the truth of thefe doctrines, and cordially embrace them. Several have told me,

It may be useful here to give fome particular account of a re

power and mercy of God in awakening a certain perfon. He was a young married man, who was inclining to infidelity, and made very light of the revival when it began, calling it delufion, enthufiafm, and priestcraft. As his wife was among the first who appeared seriously impreffed; he endeavored to divert and hinder her attention, and to ridicule her out of her feriousness. He was highly dif pleased, because she was affected, and shed tears at hearing a fermon, and faid, he was afhamed of her folly, and that no preaching or minifter could ever fetch a tear from him. Sometime after his wife was apparently reconciled to God, fhe was about to go with a number of others to be examined for admiffion into the church. endeavored to diffuade her from it, faying, that was unneceffary, and that she could as well live religion, without making a public profeffion, as with. But as fhe, thinking it to be her duty, went to be examined; he was greatly dif pleafed-would hardly fpeak to her, and fcarcely take his food for feveral days. He told her brother, that he defigned to go to sea, and fwore that he never would go into the meeting-houfe with her

He

again. But that very day there | informs us, that the preaching of the gofpel produced fuch happy and glorious effects, where it was firft propagated by the apoftles.

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Such feafons of peculiar attention to divine things plainly manifeft, that the power which renders the gofpel fuccefsful, is of God, and not of man; and that agreeably to the declaration of the apoftle: "Paul planted, Apollos watered: But God gave the increafe." For we fee from fact, that at one time the preaching of the gofpel, for years, has little or no effect--few or none are awakened and renewed.

was a lecture appointed at the meeting-house, and as the family were getting ready to go, her father, with whom he lived, propo- | Great multitudes both of Jews and fed that he fhould go with them in Gentiles were then awakened, the waggon. Forgetting his prom. | turned from fin to holinefs, called ife he accordingly went, and as out of darkness into marvellous he entered the meeting-houfe, he light, and added to the church of was first of all powerfully ftruck Chrift. When therefore we fee with the recollection, that he had the gospel now producing fuch ef fworn never to go there with his fects, they greatly confirm its wife again. He was greatly fhock- | truth and divine origin. ed at the thought of his rafh and wicked oath. The fermons, which were delivered, made a powerful and deep impreffion on his mind. It feemed, he obferved, as if the difcourfes were addreffed directly to him; and he was greatly affected and in tears during a confiderable part of the religious exercifes. He was apparently in great distress of mind for fome time, and feemed deeply fenfible of the madness and wickednefs of his former con- | At another time these duct, in oppofing and making light fame truths, which have becn of divine things. After a while heard year after year with no aphe was relieved from his distress of parent effect, are clothed with mind, and obtained a hope, that power, arreft the attention of numhe was reconciled to God. He | bers, and are the means of prohas fince with his wife, made a ducing a wonderful change in their public profeffion of that religion, feelings and fentiments; fo that which he once opposed and despi- many now cordially believe and fed. It is to be hoped, that his embrace thofe truths, which a life may be fuch as to adorn his few weeks before they bitterly opChriftian profeffion, and be evi- pofed and denied; and now take dential of a real change of heart.pleafure in prayer, reading the But whether it fhould be fo, or | fcriptures, ferious converfation, and not; ftill it appears to have been the other duties of religion, which a remarkable difplay of the power but a fhorttime fince they perhaps riof God in favor of divine truth. diculed & defpifed, or at least neglected and confidered as very tedious and irkfome. Such facts fully evince, that the power, which produces thefe remarkable effects, is not of man, nor in the gofpel itfelf, but of God; who giveth fuccefs to the preaching of the gofpel, when and how he pleases.

Such remarkable revivals of religion afford ftrong evidence that the fcriptures are from God, fince the truths contained in them, are attended with fuch a divine power in awakening, reforming, and renewing finners. No other doctrines or schemes of religion have fich powerful effects. The bible

The fovereignty of God in the

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