upon it, it may likewise be understood to have respect to the intellectual system, and in this sense exhibit a lively and expressive representation of the Two States of human nature, viz. its Fall in Adam, and its Redemption in JESUS CHRIST. The first of these states, most plainly delineated in the former part of my text, I have already confidered; and endeavoured to shew, by arguments drawn from common observation and daily experience, that, in the state of unregenerate nature, God may with truth be faid to "hide his face" from us, in consequence of which "we are "troubled;" and to "take away his " breath," in consequence of which we "die, and return to the dust" of our earthly nature. I shall now proceed to enumerate the true and real characteristics of the Regenerate Nature, to which the latter verse of my text alludes: "Thou "sendest forth thy Spirit, they are cre"ated; "ated; and thou renewest the face of "the earth!" I have already said, that, by the Regenerate, we are to understand all those of every age and nation, of every religious sect and opinion, who, by Divine Grace, have fought and found an higher and better life than their present earthly and fallen one; in confequence of which "they are created anew," as my text expresses it; that is to say: by the breathing forth again of that Breath of Life, by which man was orginally formed in the Divine Image, this Image is happily restored; he rises out of the ruins of a fallen, into the Glories of a redeemed, state; and is thereby enabled to relinquish or fubdue all the attractions and temptations, all the powerful influences and suggestions of his earthly and inferior part. From this short description, it is fufficiently evident, that the Regenerate Nature, in its inward tempers, dispofitions, and affections, as well as its outward appearance in the conduct of human life, is directly opposed to that which is unregenerate. One is from beneath, the other from above: one is of the earth, earthly; the other is of Heaven, heavenly: one is born of this world, of the will of the flesh; the other is born of God, of the will of his own Eternal Spirit: one is death, spiritual as well as temporal; the other is Life, heavenly and eternal. The contrast is obvious and strong. And as we have already taken a view of the dark fide, and contemplated nature in its fallen and degraded state; let us now change the scene, and behold the luminous and reviving prospect of nature redeemed, fpiritualized, and exalted. Not 1 Not half so beautiful, sweet, and refreshing, are the beams of opening morn, which diffipate the shades of night; as those rays of Uncreated Light, which dispel all doubts and darkness from the Regenerate Heart. In the picture of unrenewed nature, all was shadowy and deceitful: the Light, if any there was, was a false glare; the objects, either visionary or destructive. In the picture now before us, all is real Light, Life, and Bliss: every object is seen in its true colours and proportions. Unclouded skies, mild and gentle breezes, fair and beauteous landscapes, are without-within, sweet peace of mind, defires calm and unruffled, love, harmony, and Seraphic joy! Follow the truly Regenerate Chriftian through all the periods and poffible conditions of human life, you will find this representation to be strictly just. As to those storms of temptation, adversity, and K 3 and affliction, in which the Prince of Darkness is sometimes permitted to thunder around him, these can only affect that outward nature, by which he stands connected with this outward world. The Inward Man rises superior to this elemental uproar, lives and breathes in the Light and Air of Heaven, and is perpetually converfant and entertained with heavenly objects and delights. True, indeed, it is, that this most defirable serenity is not to be attained at 'once. The struggle betwixt two "The opposite natures must be long continued, turity, and diffuse their beauties, virtues, and 1 |