be no higher. It elevates all on the scale of being, and establishes a kind of moral equality.

How unspeakably important is it, that Young persons as they enter on the diversified stage of human action, should be under the guidance and support of this real principle of an independent mind. Then would they possess in an honorable degree, those same seraphic feelings and elevated motives, which heretofore have had in them enough to give dignity and beauty to the records of past ages; which like a few Corinthian columns, stand here and there amidst the ruin and disorder of antiquity, to add a melancholy interest to their desolation. Such characters of Christian independence indeed, appear like bright stars as they break from the dark cloud,

"For ever singing as they shine,

The Hand that made us is Divine."

MORAL ANALOGIES.

ESSAY No. XII.

Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no Physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?

JEREMIAH.

In prophetic vision Jeremiah saw the evils which the Jews were bringing on themselves. He could trace these evils to the moral dispositions of their hearts. Evil hearts of unbelief had inclined them to depart from the living God; through their love of deceit, their backsliding is represented as perpetual. When the messages of God required them to return, none repented him of his wickedness. With one accord they madly pursued the path that led to destruction. While the prophet contemplated their obduracy in rebelling against God, he was filled with the most pungent anguish-he saw death approaching the body politic to which he belonged. He knew that as Gilead afforded a Balm of sovereign effi

cacy for arresting morbid complaints and physicians were at hand to use it, so there was a remedy for the moral disease which was destroying the Jews, and there was one able to apply that remedy. He inquires therefore with emphasis, why Israel was not healed. This exclamation, in connection with what precedes and follows it, shows that Israel's dislike of the Physician, and disrelish for the remedy of his appointment, was the sole cause of their ruin. But the interrogation comes with a tenfold emphasis, when applied to sinners in Gospel lands who reject the overtures of mercy which are made to them"Is there no Balm in Gilead? Is there no Physician there?" Why then are not sinners in a state of moral convalescence ?

In the last Essay of this series, we considered the whole human race as affected by a moral disease which is infectious, hereditary and mortal. We shall now attempt some description,

I. Of the only Physician of souls;

11. Of the efficacious remedy which he can apply, and III. Consider the true reason why so many die eternally with this moral disease, notwithstanding there is a Physician and a remedy at hand; and conclude with reflections.

First-Let our thoughts revert to our morally diseased and perishing condition, and then we shall be the better prepared, to discuss the high qualifications of the Great Physician.

1. When a disease, in itself inveterate and mortal, is preying upon man, it is all important that his physician be skilful. The unstudied pretender to the healing art, has no claims on public confidence. The judicious will ever consider knowledge and experience, united with a sound and ready judgment, as important qualifications in the physician. But the Great Physician has unlimited skill. His knowledge of moral disea e is infinite. He is perfectly acquainted with every symptom of every case however complicated it may be. To the high station which he fills he was designated by the counsels of eternity, and he is deficient in no qualification belonging to it,-Infinite Wisdom being Judge. In every age of the world his skill has been proved, and in no one case which he has undertaken has it ever failed. There

are witnesses from an hundred generations who have been perfectly recovered from moral diseases by his skill. * Their blind eyes he opened; their deaf ears he unstopped; their limbs which were inactive he has quickened in his service; and their tongues once dumb in his praise are now chaunting immortal anthems before the throne. He has softened hard hearts, and subdued obdurate wills. He has even raised millions to spiritual life who were once dead in trespasses and sins. In the great day, those whom he has cured will constitute a great multitude which no man can number, of all nations, kindreds, people and tongues under the whole heaven.

Vast numbers now on earth are entrusting their souls to his care, and enjoying constant and increasing benefit from his prescriptions. In a word, he is able to save to the uttermost all who apply to him, and he is as willing to save as he is able He delighteth not in the death of the wicked, but had rather they would return to him and live. For

He

2. He is a kind, condescending and compassionate Physician. He sympathises with his patients, kindly listens to the recital of their sufferings and anguish, and gently wipes the tear of sorrow from their eyes. knows all the feelings of their infirmities, tenderly watches every varying circumstance in their cases, and will not suffer them to feel an unnecessary pang. No state of the atmosphere, no unseasonable hour, nor any indisposition or reluctance on his part, will ever prevent his attendance on those who look to him for healing. The rich and the poor, the bond and the free, without distinction, may enjoy the benefits of his attendance. The multiplicity of his patients does not in the least diminish his care of each individual. He can be every where present at the same moment. There are no dangers from delay therefore but what are entirely on the part of sinners.

3. He is both a reasonable and a benevolent physisician. He cures without money and withont price. His whole services are gratuitous, for none can profit him as one man can profit another. He has published to a dying world, "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Whosoever will, let him take the waters of life freely. Look unto

Come

me, and be ye saved all the ends of the earth. unto me, and your souls shall live." Though his patients feel that they owe him their lives and their all, yet they can offer him nothing in return but what was his before; for he is the sole proprietor of all they possess. In a word, he is all that we could desire him to be, and both able and willing to do for us, far more than we can ask or think. His infinite benevolence is most clearly seen in what it cost him to provide a remedy for dying souls. This could not be done at a small expense. No ereature in the universe could purchase it; for we were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ. But this leads us, Secondly-To consider the remedy for man's moral disease which the Great Physician applies. It is a sovereign balm for the wounds sin has inflicted—it is an universal specific for moral disease. The whole extent of its virtues are unknown to any but the Great Physician; but its efficacy is known by man to be such, that we may without hesitation pronounce it an infallible remedy whenever it is seasonably and rightly applied.

It has a purifying influence. It cleanses the hands from deeds of iniquity. It frees all the senses from much moral pollution. It purifies the head from error. It removes enmity against God. impenitence and inquietude from the heart. It purges the conscience from dead works, to serve the living God. It allays the feverish thirst for earthly possessions and pursuits. It delivers from an overwhelming pressure of worldly cares. It breaks the fetters of the moral maniac, and introduces him into the liberty of the Gospel.

This balm which the Great Physician uses, assuages moral anguish. Where no moral peace was before felt, but the soul was like the troubled sea when it cannot rest, this remedy brings relief. A tranquillity different in kind and greater in degree than earth knows, is by it conferred on the soul. A burdened conscience can lay down its load of sorrow and remorse at the foot of the cross, and pursue the road to heaven rejoicing. The peace of God which passeth all understanding, is able to keep the heart and mind through Jesus Christ. This can effectually console under all worldly losses and crosses. This can reconcile the mind to whatever afflic

tions a heavenly Father pleases to send. This can soften a dying pillow.

The sovereign Remedy for a sin-sick soul, has an invigorating and strengthening influence. It strengthens the powers of moral discernment. Truth is more readily perceived, as well as more cordially embraced. New strength is obtained for pious exertions-new strength is felt to resist the remains of this disease in its effects on the thoughts, the conversation, and the conduct. The man now lives, and feels, and acts like a new creature. He is alive to things to which he was once dead. He feels such affections towards moral objects, as are the reverse of what he once had. Old things with him are passed away, and behold all things are become new. At first perhaps he is only sensible how dreadfully diseased is his whole frame: the medicine has given to him correct feeling. More and more he discovers the skill and kindness of the Physician of souls, and learns the lesson to implicitly trust his all to him; viewing him the chief among ten thousand, and altogether lovely.

For wise reasons the Great Physician gradually completes the eure, that more knowledge may be learned of the effects of this disease, and more valus put on his remedy and services. At length every one to whom it is applied will be perfectly recovered, never more to relapse into it, or be contaminated with it in the least degree for ever. This infallible specific for a dying sinner, is the atoning blood and effectual intercession of the Lord Jesus Christ. Every other remedy to save a perishing soul, has failed. His blood has abundant efficacy. It was that alone which gave efficacy to cere. monial purifications of ancient times. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins; and yet without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins.

Christ's blood applied by sovereign grace, delivers the soul not only from the worst consequences of sin in eternity, but from its guilt and dominion in time. His intercession gives nearness of access at the throne of grace. It relieves the anguish of a bleeding conscience, and soothes the sorrows of a sin sick soul. Both the atonement and intercession of our merciful High Priest, communicate life and strength to the souls that rely on them;