“O my God, my merciful and gracious God, what can I say of thy amazing, distinguishing mercy to me?  Delivered from all these fears, and able to adopt the text fully, I know of none who have more or greater cause of fear as sinners.  My transgressions have been of crimson and scarlet hue.  O my God, thou knowest them, words cannot paint them.  My Saviour, thou knowest them, for thou baredst them; every jot and tittle was put to thy account, and thou didst cancel all.  O that garden, that cry on the cross! the effects were seen on thy sacred body, but who can conceive the mysterious horror which agonized thy sacred soul?  But thou saidst, It is finished, and finished it is.  Lamb of God, which takest away the sins of the world, on thy consecrated head I lay the hand of faith, confess my sins, pray for forgiveness, and believe that I am forgiven.

“July 29th, my birthday, and the last day of the threescore years and ten of my sinful life.  What an, exhibition will that day produce, when the secrets of all hearts will be laid open, all my actions and all the springs of them.  In all the myriads which shall appear at the bar of God, will there be such a sinner—­taking into view the early grace manifested?

“Born, I think, about the seventeenth year of my natural life; previously instructed in the doctrines and precepts of the Scriptures, as far as the natural mind can conceive, by pious parents and a faithful pastor; with milk provided for my spiritual infancy, and richer food set before me for my growth; the leaves of the new covenant were opened to my view, and the fulness treasured in Christ for my supply, to be asked, to be delighted in; and delighted I was, and satisfied.  But Oh, I forsook the fountain of living waters, and hewed out broken cisterns, that could hold no water.  Where can language be found to depict my ingratitude, my madness, my folly; and where to describe the long-suffering, the compassionate remonstrances, the kindly, fatherly chastisements, the repeated pardons and restorations of my gracious God in days of youth—­aggravating my renewed backslidings, bringing upon my sinful soul vengeance for my inventions?  What were the sins of Israel and Judah to mine?  Mine were committed after the great atonement was made; the adorable High-priest, Jesus, had with his own blood entered within the veil, and was set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty of the heavens:  the minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.  The new covenant was exhibited, established on better promises, himself the Mediator.  The new and living way was consecrated to the holiest of all by the blood of Jesus; a throne of grace was established, Jesus himself our Advocate and Intercessor.  We are now privileged to come boldly to a throne of grace, that we may find grace to help in the time of need.  O how aggravated my sin above theirs, having such great and precious privileges and promises, and a High-priest who can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, who was in all points tempted as we are; who owns us as his brethren and sisters, yea, the very members of his body, and his Spirit dwelleth in us.