1 66 THE CHARACTER OP THOSE which sin hath procured, is not only discerned, but be- , wailed. It is impossible that the soul should now look, either on its trespass against God, or yet on its own self - procured calamity, without some contrition. He that truly discerns that he bath killed Christ, and killed himself, will surely kn some measure be pricked to the heart.(t) If he cannot weep, he can heartily groan ; and his heart feels what his understanding sees. The creature is renounced as vanity, and turned out of the heart with disdain. Not that it is undervalued, or the use of it disclaimed ; but its idolatrous abuse, and its unjust usurpation. Can Christ be the way,, where the creature is the end? Can we seek to Christ to reconcile us to God, while in our hearts we prefer the creature before him ? In the soul of every unre- generate man, the creature is both God and Christ. As turning from the creature to God, and not by Christ, is no true turning; so believing in Christ, while the creature bath our hearts, is no true be- lieving. Our aversion from sin, renouncing our idols, and our right receiving Christ, is all but one work, which God ,ever perfects where he begins. At the same time, the will cleaves to God the Father and to Christ. Having been convinced that nothing else can be his happiness, the sinner now finds it is in God. Convinced also, that Christ alone is able, and willing to make peace for him, he most affectionately accepts of Christ for Saviour and Lord. Paul's preaching was repentance toward God, andfaith toward our Lord Je- sus Christ.(u) And life eternal, consists first in know- ing the only true God, and then Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent.(w) To take the Lord for our God, is the natural part of the covenant ; the supernatural part is to take Christ for our Redeemer. The former is 'first necessary, and implied in the latter. To accept Christ without affection and love, is not justifying faith. Nor does love follow as a fruit, but immedi- ately concurs: for faith is the receiving of Christ with (t) Acts ii. 37. (st) Acts, xx. 21. (w) John xvii. 3.
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