Rise and progress of religion in the soul ...

Front matter

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CHAPTER II. The careless sinner awakened, 27

The meditation of a sinner who was once thoughtless, but

begins to be awakened, 39

CHAPTER HI.

The awakened sinner urged to immediate consideration, and

cautioned against delay, 43

A prayer for one who is tempted to delay applying to religion, though under some conviction of its importance, . . 52 CHAPTER IV.

The sinner arraigned and convicted, 56

The confession of a sinner, convinced in general of his guilt, 69 CHAPTER V. |

The sinner stripped of his vain pleas, '.'-' 72\

The meditation of a convinced sinner, giving up his vain pleas3

before God, 84

CHAPTER VI.

The sinner sentenced, " 87

The reflection of a sinner, struck with the terror of his sentence, 97

CHAPTER VH.

The helpless state of the sinner under condemnation, . 100 The lamentation of a sinner in this miserable condition, 107

CHAPTER VIII.

News of salvation by Christ brought to the convinced and condemned sinner, 110

The sinner's reflection on this good news, 119

4 CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IX.

A more particular account of the way by which this salvation is to be obtained, 122

The sinner deliberating oh the expediency of falling in with

this method of salvation, 133

CHAPTER X.

The sinner seriously urged and entreated to accept of salvation in this way, . . 137

The sinner yielding to these entreaties, and declaring his acceptance of salvation by Christ, , . . 145

CHAPTER XI.

A solemn address to those who will not be persuaded to fall in with the design of the Gospel, 148

A compassionate prayer in behalf of the impenitent sinner, 166 CHAPTER XH.

An address to a soul so overwhelmed with a sense of the greatness of its sins, that it dares not apply itself to Christ with any hope of salvation, 170

Reflection on the encouragements he has to do it, ending in an humble and earnest application to Christ for mercy, . 177 CHAPTER XIII.

The doubting soul more particularly assisted in its inquiries as to the sincerity of its faith and repentance, .... 181

The soul submitting to divine examination the sincerity of its

repentance and faith, 189

CHAPTER XIV.

A more particular view of the several branches of the Christian temper ; by which the reader may be further assisted in judging what he is, and what he should endeavor to be, 192

A review of the several branches of this temper, in a scriptural

prayer, 211

CHAPTER XV.

The reader reminded how much he needs the assistance of the Spirit of God to form him to this temper, and what encouragement he has to expect it, 217

An humble supplication for the influences of divine grace to form and strengthen religion in the soul, 224

CONTENTS. 5

CHAPTER XVI.

The Christian convert warned of, and animated against those discouragements which he must expect to meet when entering on a religious course, 228

The soul, alarmed by a sense of these difficulties, committing

itself to divine protection, 235

CHAPTER XVII.

The Christian urged to, and assisted in an express act of self-dedication to the service of God, 238

An example of self-dedication, 242

Together with an abstract of it, to be used with proper and

requisite alterations, 250

CHAPTER XVni.

On communion in the Lord's supper, 253

A prayer for one who desires to attend, yet has some remaining doubts concerning his right to that solemn ordinance, 260 CHAPTER XIX.

Some more particular directions for maintaining continual communion with God, or being in his fear all the day long ; in a letter to a pious friend, 264

A serious view of death, proper to be taken as we lie down on

our beds, 285

CHAPTER XX.

A serious persuasive to such a method of spending our days, 288

A prayer suited to the state of a soul who longs to attain such

a life, 299

CHAPTER XXI.

A caution against various temptations, by which the young convert may be drawn aside from the course before recommended, 304

The young convert's prayer for divine protection from the

danger of these snares, 317

CHAPTER XXH.

The case of spiritual decay and languor in religion, . . 320

A prayer for one under spiritual decays, 331

6 CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXHI.

The sad case of a relapse into known and deliberate sin, after solemn acts of dedication to God, and some progress made

in religion, 336

A prayer for one who has fallen into gross sin, after religious

resolutions and engagements, 347

CHAPTER XXIV.

The case of the Christian under the hidings of God's face, 353 An humble supplication for one under the hidings of God's

face, 368

CHAPTER XXV.

The Christian struggling under great and heavy affliction, 373 An address to God under the pressure of heavy affliction, 379

CHAPTER XXVI.

The Christian assisted in examining into his growth in grace, 385 The Christian breathing earnestly after growth in grace, 398

CHAPTER XXVII.

The advanced Christian reminded of the mercies of God, and exhorted to the exercise of habitual love to him, and joy in

An example of the genuine workings of this grateful joy in

CHAPTER XXVm.

The established Christian urged to exert himself for purposes

of usefulness, 415

The Christian breathing after more extensive usefulness, 430

CHAPTER XXIX.

The Christian rejoicing in the views of death and judgment, 433 The meditation and prayer of a Christian whose heart is

warmed with these prospects, 445

CHAPTER XXX.

The Christian honoring God by his dying behavior, . 449 A meditation and prayer suited to the case of a dying Christian, 461

Brief notice of the Life of Dr. Doddridge, 469

Preface

The several hints given in the first chapter of this treatise, which contains a particular plan of the design, render it unnecessary to introduce it with a long preface. My much honored friend Dr. Watts had laid the scheme, especially of the former part. But as those indispositions with which God has been pleased to exercise him, had forbid his hopes of being able to add. this to his many labors of love to immortal souls, he was pleased, in a very affectionate and importunate manner, to urge me to undertake it. And I bless God with my whole heart, not only that he hath carried me through this delightful task, for such indeed I have found it, but also that he hath spared that worthy and amiable person to see it accomplished, and given him strength and spirit to review so considerable a part of it His approbation, expressed in stronger terms than modesty will permit me to repeat, encourages me to hope that it is executed in such a manner as may, by the divine blessing, render it of some general service. And I the rather hope it will be so, as it now comes abroad into the world, not only with my own prayers and his, but also with those of many other pious friends, which I have been particularly careful to engage for its success.

Into whatever hands this work may come, I must de-

8 PREFACE.

sire that, before any pass their judgment upon it, they would please to read it through, that they may discern the connection between one part of it and another ; which I the rather request, because I have long observed that Christians of different parties have been eagerly laying hold on particular parts of the system of divine truth, and have been contending about them, as if each had been all; or as if the separation of the members from each other, and from the head, were the preservation of the body, instead of its destruction. They have been zealous to espouse the defence, and to maintain the honor and usefulness of each apart ; whereas the honor, as well as the usefulness, seems to me to lie much in their connection ; and suspicions have often arisen between the respective defenders of each, which have appeared as unreasonable and absurd, as if all the preparations for securing one part of a ship in a storm, were to be censured as a contrivance to sink the rest. I pray God to give to all his ministers and people more and more of the spirit of wisdom, and of love, and of a sound mind ; and to remove far from us those mutual jealousies and animosities which hinder our acting with that unanimity which is necessary in order to the successful carrying on of our common warfare against the enemies of Christianity. We may be sure these enemies will never fail to make their own advantage of our multiplied divisions and severe contests with each other. But they must necessarily lose both their ground and their influence, in proportion to the degree in which the energy of Christian principles is felt to unite and transform the heart of those by whom they are professed.

PREFACE. 9

I have studied in this treatise the greatest plainness of speech, that the lowest of my readers may, if possible, be able to understand every word; and I hope persons of a more elegant taste and refined education will pardon what appeared to me so necessary a piece of charity. Such a care in practical writings seems one important instance of that honoring all men, which our amiable and condescending religion teaches us; and I have been particularly obliged to my worthy patron for what he has done to shorten some of the sentences, and to put my meaning into plainer and more familiar words.

I must add one remark here, which I heartily wish 1 had not omitted in the first edition, namely, That though I do in this book consider my reader as successively in a great variety of supposed circumstances, beginning with those of a thoughtless sinner, and leading him through several stages of conviction, terror, etc., as what may be previous to his sincerely accepting the Gospel, and devoting himself to the service of God; yet I would by no means be thought to insinuate, that every one who is brought to that happy resolution, arrives at it through those particular steps, or feels agitations of mind equal in degree to those I have described. Some sense of sin, and some serious and humbling apprehensions of our danger and misery in consequence of it, must indeed be necessary to dispose us to receive the grace of the Gospel, and the Saviour who is there exhibited to our faith. But God is pleased sometimes to begin the work of his grace in the heart almost from the first dawning of reason, and to carry it on by such gentle and insensible degrees, that very excellent persons, who have made the most eminent attainments in

10 PREFACE.

the divine life, have been unable to recount any remarkable history of their conversion. And so far as I can learn, this is most frequently the case with those of them who have enjoyed the benefit of a pious education, when it has not been succeeded by a vicious and licentious youth. God forbid, therefore, that any should be so insensible of their own happiness as to fall into perplexity with relation to their spiritual state, for want of being able to trace such a rise of religion in their minds as it was necessary on my plan for me to describe and exemplify here. I have spoken my sentiments on this head so fully in the eighth of my Sermons on Regeneration, that I think none who has read and remembers the general contents of it, oan be in danger of mistaking my meaning here. But as it is very possible that this book may fall into the hands of many who have not read the other, and have no opportunity of consulting it, I thought it proper to insert this caution in the preface to this ; and I am much obliged to that worthy and excellent person who kindly reminded me of the expediency of doing it.

PHILIP DODDRIDGE.

OF

RELIGION IN THE SOUL.

CHAPTER I.

THE INTRODUCTION TO THE WORK, WfTH SOME GENERAL ACCOUNT OF ITS DESIGN.

1, 2. That true religion is very rare, appears from comparing the nature of it with the lives and characters of men around us. — 3. The want of it matter of just lamentation. — 4. To remedy this evil is the design of the ensuing treatise. — 5, 6. To which, therefore, the author earnestly bespeaks the attention of the reader, as his own heart is deeply interested in it. — 7 to 12. A general plan of the work ; of which the first fifteen chapters relate chiefly to the rise of religion, and the remaining chapters to its progress. — Prayer for the success of the work.

1. When we look around us with an attentive eye, and consider the characters and pursuits of men, we plainly see, that though, in the original constitution of their natures, they only, of all the creatures that dwell on the face of the earth, are capable of religion, yet many of them shamefully neglect it.

And whatever different notions people may entertain of what they call religion, all must agree in owning that it is very far from being a universal tiling.

2. Religion, in its most general view, is such a sense of God in the soul, and such a conviction of our obligations to him, and of our dependence upon him, as shall engage us to make it our great care to conduct ourselves in a manner which we have reason to believe will be pleasing to him. Now, when we have given this plain account of religion, it is by no means necessary that we should search among the savages of distant Pagan nations to find instances of those who are strangers to it. When we view the conduct of the generality of people at home, in a Christian and Protestant nation, in a nation whose obligations to God have been singular, almost beyond those of any other people under heaven, will any one presume to say that religion has a universal reign among us ? Will any one suppose that it prevails in every life ; that it reigns in every heart ? Alas, the avowed infidelity, the profanation of the name and day of God, the drunkenness, the leAvdness, the injustice, the falsehood, the pride, the prodigality, the base selfishness, and stupid insensibility about the spiritual and eternal interests of themselves and others, which so generally appear among us, loudly proclaim the contrary. So that one would imagine, upon this view, that thousands and tens of thousands

RELIGION NOT UNIVERSAL. 13

thought the neglect, and even the contempt of religion, were a glory, rather than a reproach. And where is the neighborhood, where is the society, where is the happy family, consisting of any considerable number, in which, on a more exact examination, we find reason to say, " religion fills even this little circle?" There is, perhaps, a freedom from any gross and scandalous immoralities, and external decency of behavior, an attendance on the outward forms of , worship in public, and, here and there, in the family ; yet amidst all this, there is nothing which looks like the genuine actings of the spiritual and divine life. There is no appearance of love to God, no reverence of his presence, no desire of his favor as the highest good : there is no cordial belief of the Grospel of salvation ; no eager solicitude to escape that condemnation which we have incurred by sin ; no hearty concern to secure that eternal life which Christ has purchased and secured for his people, and which he freely promises to all who will receive him. Alas, whatever the love of a friend, or even a parent can do ; whatever inclination there may be to hope all things, and believe all things the most favorable, evidence to the contrary will force itself upon the mind, and extort the unwilling conclusion, that, whatever else may be amiable in this dear friend — in that favorite child — "religion dwells not in his breast." 3. To a heart that firmly believes the G-ospel, and views persons and things in the light of eternity, this is one of the most mournful considerations in the world. And indeed, to such a one, all other calamities and evils of human nature appear trifles, when compared with this — the absence of real religion, and that contrariety to it which reigns in so many thousands of mankind. Let this be cured, and all the other evils will easily be borne ; flay, good will be extracted out of them. But if this continue, it "bringeth forth fruit unto death," Rom. 7:5; and in consequence of it, multitudes, who share the entertainments of an indulgent Providence with us, and are at least allied to us by the bond of the same common nature, must, in a few years, be swept away into utter destruction, and be plunged, beyond redemption, into everlasting burnings.

4. I doubt not but there are many, under the various forms of religious profession, who are not only lamenting this in public, if their office in life calls them to an opportunity of doing it, but are likewise mourning before God in secret, under a sense of this sad state of things ; and who can appeal to Him that searches all hearts, as to the sincerity of their desires to revive the languishing cause of vital Christianity and substantial piety. And among the rest, the author of this treatise may with confidence say, it is this which animates him to the present attempt, in the midst of so many other cares and labors. For this he

THE AUTHOR'S DESIGN. 15

is willing to lay aside many of those curious amusements in science which might suit his own private taste, and perhaps open a way for some reputation in the learned world. For this he is willing to waive the labored ornaments of speech, that he may, if possible, descend to the capacity of the lowest part of mankind. For this he would endeavor to convince the judgment, and to reach the heart of every reader ; and, in a word, for this, without any dread of the name of an enthusiast, whoever may at random throw it out upon the occasion, he would, as it were, enter with you into your closet, from day to day ; and with all plainness and freedom, as well as seriousness, would discourse to you of the great things which he has learned from the Christian revelation, and on which he assuredly knows your everlasting happiness to depend ; that, if you hitherto have lived without religion, you may be now awakened to the consideration of it, and may be instructed in its nature and importance ; or that, if you are already, through divine grace, experimentally acquainted with it, you may be assisted to make a farther progress.

5. But he earnestly entreats this favor of you, that, as it is plainly a serious business we are entering upon, you would be pleased to give him a serious and an active hearing. He entreats that these addresses, and these meditations, may be perused at leisure, and be thought over in retirement ; and that you would do him and yourself the justice to believe the representations -which are here made, and the warnings which are here given, to proceed from sincerity and love, from a heart that would not designedly give one moment's unnecessary pain to the meanest creature on the face of the earth, and much less to any human mind. If he be importunate, it is because he at least imagines that there is just reason for it, and fears, lest, amidst the multitudes who are undone by the utter neglect of religion, and among those who are greatly damaged for want of a more resolute and constant attendance to it, this may be the case of some into whose hands this treatise may fall.

6. He is a barbarian, and deserves not to be called a man, who can look upon the sorrows of his fellow-creatures without drawing out his soul unto them, and wishing, at least, that it were in the power of his hand to help them. Surely earth would be a heaven to that man who could go about from place to place scattering happiness wheresoever he came, though it were only the body that he were capable of relieving, and though he could impart nothing better than the happiness of a mortal life. But the happiness rises in proportion to the nature and degree of the good which he imparts. Happy, are we ready to say, were those honored servants of Christ, who, in the early days of his church, were the benevolent and sympathizing instruments of conveying miracu-

PLAN OF THE WORK. 17

ulous healing to those whose cases seemed desperate ; who poured in upon the Mind and the deaf the pleasures of light and sound, and called up the dead to the powers of action and enjoyment. But this is an honor and happiness which it is not fit for God commonly to bestow on mortal men. Yet there have been, in every age, and blessed be his name, there still are those whom he has condescended to make his instruments in conveying nobler and more lasting blessings than these to their fellow-creatures. Death has long since veiled the eyes and stopped the ears of those who were the subjects of miraculous healing, and recovered its empire over those who were once recalled from the grave. But the souls who are prevailed upon to receive the Gospel, live for ever. God has owned the labors of his faithful ministers in every age to produce these blessed effects ; and some of them "being dead, yet speak," Heb. 11:4, with power and success in this important cause. Wonder not, then, if, living and dying, I be ambitious of this honor ; and if my mouth be freely opened, Where I can truly say, "my heart is enlarged." 2 Cor. 6:11.

7. In forming my general plan, I have been solicitous that this little treatise might, if possible, be useful to all its readers, and contain something suitable to each. I will therefore take the man and the Christian in a great variety of circumstances. I

Rise and Prog. O will first suppose myself addressing one of the vast number of thoughtless creatures who have hitherto been utterly unconcerned about religion, and will try what can be done, by all plainness and earnestness ' of address, to awaken him from this fatal lethargy, to a care, (chap. 2,) an affectionate and an immediate care about it, (chap. 3.) I will labor to fix a deep and awful conviction of guilt upon his conscience, (chap. 4,) and to atrip him of his vain excuses and his flattering hopes, (chap. 5.) I will read to him,

that I could fix on his heart that sentence, that dreadful sentence, which a righteous and an Almighty God hath denounced against him as a sinner, (chap. 6,) and endeavor to show him in how helpless a state he lies under this condemnation, as to any capacity he has of delivering himself, (chap. 7.) But

1 do not mean to leave any in so terrible a situation : I will joyfully proclaim the glad tidings of pardon and salvation by Christ Jesus our Lord, which is all the support and confidence of my own soul, (chap. 8.) And then I will give some general view of the way by which this salvation is to be obtained, (chap. 9 ;) urging the sinner to accept of it as affectionately as I can, (chap. 10 ;) though nothing can be sufficiently pathetic, where, as in this matter, the life of an immortal soul is in question.

8. Too probable it is that some will, after all this, remain insensible ; and therefore, that their sad case

PLAN OF THE WORK. 19

may not encumber the following articles, I shall here take a solemn leave of them, (chap. 11 ;) and then shall turn and address myself, as compassionately as I can, to a most contrary character— I mean, to a soul overwhelmed with a sense of the greatness of its sins, and trembling under the burden, as if there were no more hope for him in God, (chap. 12.) And that nothing may be omitted which may give solid peace to the troubled spirit, I shall endeavor to guide its inquiries as to the evidences of sincere repentance and faith, (chap. 13 ;) which will be farther illustrated by a more particular view of the several branches of the Christian temper, such as may serve at once to assist the reader in judging what he is, and to show him what he should labor to be, (chap. 14.) This will naturally lead to a view of the need we have of the influences of the blessed Spirit to assist us in the important and difficult work of the true Christian, and of the encouragement we have to hope for such divine assistance, (chap. 15.) In an humble dependence on which, I shall then enter on the consideration of several cases which often occur in the Christian life, in which particular addresses to the conscience may be requisite and useful.

9. As some peculiar difficulties and discouragements attend the first entrance on a religious course, it will here be our first care to animate the young convert against them, (chap. 16.) And that it may be done more effectually, I shall urge a solemn dedication of himself to God, (chap. 17,) to be confirmed by entering into a communion of the church, and an approach to the sacred table, (chap. 18.) That these engagements may be more happily fulfilled, we shall endeavor to draw a more particular plan of that devout, regular, and accurate course, which ought daily to be attended to, (chap. 19.) And because the idea will probably rise so much higher than what is the general practice, even of good men, we shall endeavor to persuade the reader to make the attempt, hard as it may seem, (chap. 20 ;) and shall caution him against various temptations, winch might otherwise draw him aside to negligence and sin, (chap. 21.)

10. Happy will it be for the reader, if these exhortations and cautions be attended to with becoming regard ; but as it is, alas, too probable that, notwithstanding all, the infirmities of nature will sometimes prevail, we shall consider the case of deadness and languor in religion, winch often steals upon us by insensible degrees, (chap. 22;) from which there is too easy a passage to that terrible one of a return into known and deliberate sin, (chap. 23.) And as the one or the other of these tends in a proportionable degree to provoke the blessed God to hide his face, and his injured Spirit to withdraw, that melancholy condition will be taken into particular survey, (chap.

PLAN OF THE WORK. 21

-24.) I shall then take notice also of the case of great and heavy afflictions in life, (chap. 25,) a discipline which the best of men have reason to expect, especially when they backslide from God and yield to their spiritual enemies.

11. Instances of this kind will, I fear, be too frequent ; yet, I trust, there will be many others, whose path, like the dawning light, will "shine more and more unto the perfect day." Prov. 4 : 18. And therefore we shall endeavor, in the best manner we can, to assist the Christian in passing a true judgment on the growth of grace in Iris heart, (chap. 26,) as we had done before in judging of its sincerity. And as nothing conduces more to the advancement of grace than the lively exercise of love to G-od, and a holy joy in him, we shall here remind the real Christian of those mercies which tend to excite that love and joy, (chap. 27 ;) and in the view of them, to animate him to those vigorous efforts of usefulness in life which so well become his character, and will have so happy an efficacy in brightening his crown, (chap. 28.) Supposing him to act accordingly, we shall then labor to illustrate and assist the delight with which he may look forward to the awful solemnities of death and judgment, (chap. 29.) And shall close the scene by accompanying him, as it were, to the nearest confines of that dark valley through which he is to pass to glory ; giving him such directions as may seem most subservient to his honoring God and adorning religion by his dying behavior, (chap. 30.) Nor am I without a pleasing hope, that through the divine blessing and grace, I may be, in some instances, so successful as to leave those triumphing in the views of judgment and eternity, and glorifying God by a truly Christian life and death, whom I found trembling in the apprehensions of future misery ; or, perhaps, in a much more dangerous and miserable condition than that — I mean, entirely forgetting the prospect, and sunk in the most stupid insensibility of those things, for an attendance to which the human mind was formed, and in comparison of which, all the pursuits of this transitory life are emptier than wind and lighter than a feather.

12. Such a variety of heads must, to be sure, be handled but briefly, as we intend to bring them within the bulk of a moderate volume. I shall not, therefore, discuss them as a preacher might properly do in sermons, in which the truths of religion are professedly to be explained and taught, defended and improved, in a wide variety, and long detail of propositions, arguments, objections, replies, and inferences, marshalled and numbered under their distinct generals. I shall here speak in a looser and freer manner, as a friend to a friend; just as I would do if I were to be in person admitted to a private audience by one whom I tenderly loved, and whose circum-