PART III SERMON III. 29 and converting grace. This witness, in my opinion, has been dis- honoured by toomany protestants, when they have explained it merely by inward impulses, and vehement impressions upon the mind, without the conduct of reason. This has tempted the pro- fane world to callour devout efforts of christian piety mere enthu- siasm and wild imagination, the flashes of a kindled blood and vapours, that are puffed about with every wind: But when the testimony of the spirit is explainedin themanner I have described, it must approve itself to all the sober and reasonable part of man- kind. Here let us stand still and consider, howgreat and divine a power was necessary to make this mighty change on the heart of a poor, ignorant, guilty, sinful creature, and establish him a saint in peace and purity. Itis not every one that hears this same gospel, that obtains the same salvation, and that feels the same glorious change; and many a true christian must confhss, how long they sat under the same ministry and instructions before their hearts were broughtto love God, or renewed to an heavenly life ; Thus their experience teaches theni, there was anAlmighty virtue and efficacy at last attended this gospel, which made it more powerful in one day, or week, or month, than it had been in whole years before. Therewas a quickening spirit, that accom- panied the voice of the word, and gave them life, while the word called them to arise from the dead. And this is yet more glori- ously evident, when such changes have been wrought on sinners in an hour or two : They went to hear the gospel, poor, lame, blind, senseless and thoughtless of God and eternity; and they were awakened, convinced of sin and of righteousness ; they learnt their ruin and their recovery at once, through the atone- ment and grace of Christ: The poor came home enriched with various graces : the blind seewonders, and the lame return leap- ing and rejoicing in the hope of glory. This gives plain proof of a divinedo&Ctrine, and a divine attending spirit and power. It is the blessed Spirit of God, who dictated these divine truths of the gospel, that accompanies them with his own power to the minds and consciences of those who hear the gospel preached, and by hiS own power works this glorious change in the hearts and lives of sinners : It is through the sanctification of the spirit, and the belief of the truth, that sinners are called by the gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ ; 2 Thess. ü. 13, 14. hisby the preaching of this gospel, attendes with this spirit, that the fornicators and adulterers become chaste, the thieves and extortioners are made honest and just, the cove- tous earth-worms become heavenly-minded, the drunkards are turned sober, and these ^nf- :;hethare made fit to inherit the kingdom of God. The unclean are washed, the unholy are sane-
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