The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-03-11

was by Gods providence that he was di-
rected. GA mans heart deviseth his
way; but the Lord directeth his steps"
More especially, and positively is man
directed in the immediate steps taken by
him in the salvation of his soul, while
at the same time he is unconscious OF
any such influence. "He knows not the
way Of the Spirit" The sinner in seek
ing the Lord acts as free agent; as ne
acts in all his ways of sin and rejection
of the Gospel; as he acts in all his tenn
poral matters. When he is sick of
dangerous disease, he sends for physl-
clan, although he knows that the means
used for his recovery will be of no avail,
if his appointed time to die has come
SO in his soul sickness, he applies to the
Physician of souls, although, before he
is actually saved, he cannot know the
purpose of God in regard to his saliva
ton.
But still the difficulty exists. Wehear
the impenitent ask, How can | pray
acceptably without faith, and how can
have faith before | am born again p
The difficulty is really as great in respect
to his eating and drinking and plow-
ing, &c., but it does not trouble him, nor
prevent him from, engaging an these erer-
cises. Whether ye eat or drink, or
whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory OF
God" The sinner who eats and drinks,
and who suffers the difficulty abovenamed
to prevent him from praying, must think
it of little or no consequence whatever,
whether he pleases God in the former ex-
ercises; but that if he would save his
soul, he must approach the throne OF
grace in proper manner. 1t is strange
that he is not perplexed by the thought
that he cannot save his soul by praying
for Gods glory, while he eats and drinks
for his own glory. If he would be con-
sistent, and particular not to do any
thing in an improper manner, any thing
that would injure his soul, or prevent
Gods blessing, let him stop eating and
drinking. roe ,
Still the difficulty exists: "Will my
sinful and unbelieving prayers be of any
avail? Will they not be mockery in
Gods sight?" The difficulty arises from
the impression upon the mind of the OBJ
jector that the means of grace are in
some way or other to influence God to
bestow salvation. This is a wrong and
Injurious impression. We do not and
cannot induce God to bestow his grace.
We do not incline Gods Spirit to work
in our hearts. The Spirit is a g free
Spirit The wind bloweth where it
it listeth. ** So is every one that
is born of the Spirit" "The Spirit
quickeneth whom He will" 81 will
have mercy on whom will have mercy"
God is not made willing to save us By
any thing felt or done By us. 1t should
not for moment be supposed that while
sinner in using the means of grace is
willing to be saved, he is trying to make
God willing to save him, and that God
may after while be persuaded to do its
Mortal worms of the dust cannot change,
the mind of the infinitely wise God
" He is in one mind, who can turn Him."
If He is not willing to save sinner
when that sinner first begins to think
about seeking Him, He never will be
willing. Let US not invert the whole
process of conversion by supposing that
the sinner in using the means OF grace,
is possessed on his part Of willingness to
be saved, and is using means to induce a
willingness on Gods part to save him.
1t is the Lord seeking the sinner when
that sinner takes the first steps in the
way of his salvation. "Behold 1 stand
at the door and knock, if any man" &c.
"The Son of man is come to seek and to
save that which was lost"
The means of grace are not intended
to affect God and dispose his heart to-
wards us, whose infinite love and COM
passion led Him before the foundation of
the world to give up His only begotten
Son as sacrifice to satisfy his offended
Justice; but they are designed to affect
us towards God. The inquirer must
Danish forever from his mind the idea
that they are in any degree or respect
meritorious; that on their account God
will bestow any favor. Such false i'm
preston will tend to produce spurious
conversion, if the man, when he is con-
cerned about his soul, acts under the in
fluence of it. But this is the impression
which should be fastened upon the mind:
Salvation is a free GIFT Of God, and IS
freely offered to every man, and belongs
to every one soho is willing to accept at
soithom money and Dithoaa price. Do
not expect by your tears and prayers and
other efforts to dispose the heart of God
more tenderly towards you; but act un-
der the impression that holy and glori-
GUS salvation purchased and freely offer
ed, is yours if you are willing to have
J it.
ON =, L:oot;on or,oao IN <h