Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-01-04

should be punished; but your submission
was u.,erly selfish, it was to secure your
pcGsonal interests and happiness by becom-
ing Christian. You resolved, and trust
ed yourself with Christ under the expecta-
ton and with the purpose of thereby OBJ
tanning pardon at his hands. There was
no change In your motive Of action; al
ways influenced by desire to promote
your own interests. you followed out the
same IN reference to the future state, tho
BY new channel, and sel6shness prevail
ed. You did not become willing 10 have
right done with you, or to obey God,
whether saved or lost, but merely became
or rather remained, willing to be saved.
Such being the selishness of your sub
mission. is it not clear that you are uncon-
vertedl
p. 1t is. clear, perfectly clear; but
supposed that was the duty required.
NJ. And that makes your delusion the
more dangerous. As has been seen, in all
the cases Of false conversion before de-
scribed, the object of the individuals was
equally selfish, though attempted in differ.
= ent ways; hope and pardon, and salvation
being their great aim. They are uncon-
verted. Will such reflect, make a selfap-
, plication Of the truth, and yield to it2
p. But had some delightful exercises,
which were regarded by myself and 9th.
ers as the Christian graces. How are
: these to be accounted for2
M. Were they incapable Of expIana'
: ton, the proof Of your impenitency would
b still be conclusive, Your submission wa.
n selfish and the leading motive of that &C
;. has secretly, perhaps, but necessarily in
auenced and given selfish character tc
d all your subsequent exercises, for the en-
u trance into the wide-gate always conducts
d into the broad way. But their sel6sl
IS character can easily be detected; and al
!. examination OF them will afford a conclu
e i've evidence Of your impenitency, and on
l. entirely independent Of the former. Un
e der the false idea that the Holy Spirit pro
d duced some supernatural effect on the sou
II In conversion, you imagined the quiet an
II peace Of mind you possessed on resolving
;. to obey God, (which, as has been seer
q was the natural result of that resolution
10 be the divine token Of your acceptanc
% and pardon this, of course, created hop
r Of having secured the friendship of Christ
IT JOY at escaping hell, was consequently e,
l. cited, which you mistook for the ne,
J., heart and for a renewed gift from Go
d and assurance of his favor. When vo
d thought Of Christ as, the friendly beiin
J who had conferred these benefits, you
J. selfish love and gratitude for present an
;, anticipated favors was aroused, and b,
Of came strengthened as your confidence
If his friendship increased. The same e
e. fects were produced, when you though
I'd you had become a Christian by your falls
Il submission. This, as have alread
ne proved, is rank sel6shness, mere love
ID your own Interests, through Christ;
" was founded on your hope Of heaven ar
u. was, Of course, spurious and unacceptab
nd to God. Luke vi. 80. Your conscien'
Ie; approved, but you did not love the infni
I'd holiness, purity and justice Of God, ind
re pendently Of your own interests. F.
Il these and other traits, the real Christis
IS loves him; when destitute Of hope, wh.
rs experimenting his displeasure, his To-
I'd still fixes itself on God for his own SAX
be Ofthese exercises you knew nothing,
~, cause your heart was unchanged.
or ITO be Continued