Fourth Day. Concerning imperfect conversions

Some persons, who have been long estranged from God, and are, as it were, at a great distance from him, think their return to him perfect, as soon as they have taken a few steps towards it. The most ingenious and sensible of men are, upon this occasion, as ignorant and absurd, as some country clown, who should think himself in favour at court, because he had seen the king. They have forsaken the more heinous kind of vices, their way of living is less criminal than it used to be. And then they judge of themselves, not by the gospel, (the only sure rule) but by comparing their present life with their former. By these means they persuade themselves that they are in a safe condition; and take no fur* ther care for their salvation. This state, perhaps, is more dangerous than that of notorious sinners; for the condition of the latter may some time or other trouble their consciences, and put them upon endeavours of amendment; but the imperfect conversion of the former, serves only to stifle the remorse of conscience, to give them a false security, and render their malady incurable. I have examined my past life, saith one, and remarked the faults of it; I read good books; I go to church constantly; and I say my prayers, as 1 think, heartily enough. I now refriin from all great sins at least, but I cannot say, that 1 am so far affected, as to live as if I did not belong to the world, and kept no measures with it. Religion would be too rigorous, if it left not room for some mollilying expedients. The refinements in devotion, which some propose to us, are carried too far, and serve rather to discourage, than inspire a love of what is good. Such are tlie sentiments of a lukewarm christian, who would purchase heaven at a cheap rate; w ho considers not what is due to God, nor what it has cost those who have attained the enjoyment of him. A man of this character is far from a true conversion; he knows neither the extent of Grod's law, nor the duties of repentance. If he had heen engaged in composing the gospel, it would have been a different kind of institution, and more indulgent to self-love. But the gospel is unchangeable, and by it we shall be judged at the last day. Let us then embrace it as a certain guide. And fear nothing so much as iatiery jtnd deception.

32" Rfjkctions.