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of the contrite, to fill the hungry with good things, and beautify the meek with salvation. Isaiah lvii. 15.

If these advantages, which exceed the worth of earthly crowns, necessarily result from the proper knowledge of our corrupt and lost estate; who but an infatuated enemy of his own soul, would be afraid of that self-science? Who but an obstinate pharisee, would not esteem it next to the knowledge of Christ, the greatest blessing which heaven can bestow upon the self-destroyed, and yet self-conceited children of men?

Careless reader, if thou art the person, if remaining unshaken in thy carnal confidence, and supposing thyself wiser than seven men that can render a reason, thou not only despisest the testimony of the sacred writers and our pious reformers, laid before thee in the first part of this treatise, but disregardest the numerous arguments of matter of fact and common sense, and remainest unaffected by the most dreadful consequences of self-ignorance on the one hand, and by the greatest advantages of self-knowledge on the other; I have done, and must take my leave of thee.

May the merciful and holy God, whose laws thou dost daily violate, whose word thou hourly opposest or forgettest, whose salvation thou dost every moment neglect, whose vengeance thou continually provokest, and whose cause I have attempted to plead, bear with thee and thy insults a little longer! May his infinite patience yet afford thee some means of conviction, more effectual than that which is at present in thy hands! Or shouldest thou look into this labour of love once more, may it then answer a better purpose than to aggravate thy guilt, and enhance thy condemnation, by rendering the folly of thy unbelief more glaring, and consequently more inexcusable!

END OF THE APPEAL.

A

CONCLUDING ADDRESS

TO THE

SERIOUS READER,

WHO ENQUIRES

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

"Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no Physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered ?" JER. viii. 22.

CONTENTS

OF THE

ADDRESS.

I. REFLECTIONS on the nature and depth of penitential sor

row.

II. DIRECTIONS proper for an half-awakened sinner, who desires to be truly convinced of his guilt and danger. III. CAUTIONS against many false ways of healing a conscience wounded by sin.

IV. The evangelical method of a sound cure.

V. A scriptural testimony of God's children concerning the excellency of this method.

VI. Scriptural invitations and exhortations, to encourage a desponding penitent to try this never-failing method.

And,

VII. The happy effects of such a trial.

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