:ú0 THE, END 0* TISSE. [DISC. I. made us, and which our nature enjoyed in our first pa- rents ; and, instead of it, we are changed into the image of thedevil, in the lusts of the mind, in pride and malice, in self-sufficiency and enmity to God ; and we have put on also the image of the brute, in sinful appetites and sensualities, and in the lusts of the flesh nor canwe ever be made truly happy, till the image' of the blessed God be restored upon us, till we are made holy, as he is holy, till we have a divine change passed upon us, whereby we are created anew, and reformed in heart and practice. And this life is the only time given us for this important change. If this life be finished, before the image of God be restored to us, this image will never be restored ; but we shall bear the likeness of devils for ever; and perhaps the image of the brute too, at the resurrection of the body, and be further off fromGod, and all that is 'holy, than ever we were here upon earth. Of what infinite importance is it -then, to be fre- quently awakening ourselves, at special seasons and pe- riods of life, to enquire, whether this image of God is begun to be renewed, whether we have this glorious 'change wrought in us, whether our desires and delights are fixed upon holy and heavenly things, instead of those sensual.and earthly objects, which draw away all our souls fromGod and heaven. Let it appear to us as a matter of utmost moment to seekafter this change; let us pursue it with unwearied labours, and strivings with our own hearts, and perpetual importunities at the throne of grace, lest the voice ofhim who swears that " there shall be time no longer," should seize us in some unexpected moment, and lest he swear in his wrath concerning us, " Let him that is unholy be unholy still, and let him that is filthy be filthy still," Rev, xxii, 1 i . II. When this sentence is pronounced concerning us, the season and the means of restoring us to the favour and love of God shall be no longer." We are born chil- dren ofwrath, as well as the sons and daughters of ini- quity," Pph. ii. 3. We have lost the original favour of our Maker and are banished from his love, and the superior blessings of his goodness; and yet, blessed be the Lord, that we are not at present for ever banished beyond all hope : This time of life is given us to seek the recovery of the love of God, by returning to him according to the
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