r2IO THE ATbEMENT Of C$RIST MANIFES2'FGD. [DISC. vi: sometimes is, an unhappy occasion of rendering them less regarded, and less attendedi to.' t:)esc glories and wonders of the gospel of Christ have run over. our thoughts and over our tongues so many thousand, times. without that due solemnity as becomes them, and with- out those awful ideas which those things require, that our natures are.not much moved by the iinpórtance of them. though these truths are in themselves so divine, so Aw- ful and solemn, yet, alas ! they are lost upon our pas- sions, and they make no powerful impression there; they awaken no 'serious meditations, neither at the time. pre=- sent nor afterwards. Answer 2. Mankind do not keep upon their minds a deep sense of sin; the iinpressións that the convincing- spirit sometimes makes, vanish away from their consci- ences, and the necessity and the glory of this way of salvation -too soon vanishes off from our thoughts, be- cause we are not rightly and steadily apprehensive what an infinite evil is contained in the nature of sin ; and therefore the methods of pardoning mercy and forgiving grace lie with so little weight upon our spirits. The sacrifice of _Christ, how exceeding precious soever it is to an awakened and convinced sinner, yet it little affects the meditations of those who have not a lively sense. of sin maintained upon their spirits : When sin lies with. a weight upon the soul, it awakens many a bitter sigh and groan; and a review of the method of atonement ap- pointed-by the great God, in the bloodof Christ, renders the remembrance of it very pleasant and affecting. Let us therefore endeavour with all diligence to preserve a deep sense of the evil of sin, as committed against the infinite Majesty of heaven, always upon our consciences, that the blood of Jesus may be ever precious unto. us : We soon forget the vile aggravations with which our sins are attended; and therefore the way of forgiveness. t tikes so little impression upon our souls. Answër 3: There are-few Christians who keep the love of Christ active and warm enough in their hearts, to give them any deep impressions of the invaluable price of his blood. It is true, there are many thousands in our' land and nation; who love the Lord Jesus Christ sincerely, though_ they have not seen him ;; but still they are but few in comparison of the unknown multitudes- who have heard of his name, and yet know him -lot, and
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