THE LATTER RAIN. 19 and the young convert will "follow on to know the Lord," the impulse which he then receives will carry him on in a steady course of spiritual growth, till the "latter rain" comes to perfect his fruits. In the experience of Christians who have made much progress in the divine life, there is something very much resembling this "latter rain." They go on in a steady course, after their conversion, always advancing, though, perhaps, less perceptibly at some seasons than others, as there are seasons in vegetation when things seem to make no progress. But, at length, after having faithfully followed on to know the Lord, they receive a fresh unction from on high. The Spirit of the Lord is poured out upon them anew, like the "latter rain," to perfect the growth of the Christian graces. It may happen, in the growth of vegetation in the East, that, for a while before the "latter rain," the drought may be such as to cause the grain to droop, and, perhaps, to appear as though it were going to dry up and wither away. So, often, previous to this new experience of which I am speaking, the Christian is brought through great trials, often exceeding, in the strength of temptation and the power of conviction, that which preceded his first experience of pardoning mercy. But, when light again breaks in upon his mind, he is brought out into "a large place," and beholds the "beauty of the Lord," and the glories of his grace, with clearer vision than ever before. The riches of full assurance break in upon the soul, and his peace flows as a river that is never dry. He has new and clearer discoveries of the glory of God, 20 EMINENT EXAMPLES. and of that divine and unspeakably-glorious mystery, "God manifest in the flesh." His soul is lifted up in God's ways, though exceedingly abased in himself, and humbled before God. He has exchanged the "spirit of bondage" for the "spirit of adoption." His mind is in "perfect peace, stayed on God." And this "latter rain" brings his fruits to maturity. His love and joy, as well as all his religious affections, are more pure and spiritual, with less mixture of human passion; his faith is stronger, clearer, and more steady; his patience is strengthened; he is more forbearing, more gentle, more meek, more humble, more consistent in his temper and conduct at all times. He literally and truly "brings forth fruit with patience;" and his fruit remains, and is seen, to the glory of God's grace. And, with many, this refreshing is often repeated, through a long Christian life, causing them always to "bring forth fruit in their So, There is something like this "latter rain" in the experience of Bible saints, as in that of Job, in his trial, and of David and Peter, after their falls. also, we find it in the memoirs of eminent Christians, as of Bunyan, Mrs. Edwards, (wife of President Edwards,) Dr. Payson, James Brainerd Taylor, Dr. Griffin, and many others. Mrs. Edwards, for a long time, enjoyed, as she said, "THE RICHES OF FULL ASSURANCE." She felt "an uninterrupted and entire resignation to God, with respect to health or sickness, ease or pain, life or death, and an entire resignation of the lives of her nearest earthly friends." She MRS. EDWARDS. 21 also felt a "sweet peace and serenity of soul, without a cloud to interrupt it; a continual rejoicing in all the works of nature and Providence; a wonderful access to God by prayer, sensibly conversing with him, as much as if God were here on earth; frequent, plain, sensible, and immediate, answers to prayer; all tears wiped away; all former troubles and sorrows of life forgotten, except sorrow for sin; doing every thing for God's glory, with a continual and uninterrupted cheerfulness, peace, and joy." At the same time she engaged in the common duties of life with great diligence, considering them as a part of the service of God; and, when done from this motive, she said they were as delightful as prayer itself. She also showed an extreme anxiety to avoid every sin, and to discharge every moral obligation. She was most exemplary in the performance of every social and relative duty; exhibited great inoffensiveness of life and conversation; great meekness, benevolence, and gentleness of spirit; and avoided, with remarkable conscientiousness, all those things which she regarded as failings in her own character." 66 But how did these persons arrive at this eminence in the Christian life? Although by free, sovereign grace, yet it was by no miracle. If we will use the same means, we may attain the same end; and that without any disparagement to our dependence upon God, or his sovereignty in the dispensation of his grace; for he has appointed the means, as well as the end. In speaking of the attainments of Mrs. Edwards, her 22 EARNESTNESS IN RELIGION. husband says, "Mrs. Edwards had been long, in an uncommon manner, growing in grace, and rising, by very sensible degrees, to higher love to God, weanedness to the world, and mastery over sin and temptation, through great trials and conflicts, and longcontinued struggling and fighting with sin, and earnest and constant prayer and labor in religion, and engagedness of mind in the use of all means. This growth had been attended, not only with a great increase of religious affections, but with a most visible alteration of outward behavior; particularly in living above the world, and in a greater degree of steadfastness and strength in the way of duty and self-denial; maintaining the Christian conflict under temptations, and conquering, from time to time, under great trials; persisting in an unmoved, untouched calm and rest, under the changes and accidents of time, such as seasons of extreme pain, and apparent hazard of immediate death." We find accounts of similar trials and struggles in the lives of others. This is what we may expect. It agrees with the Christian life, as described in God's word. It is " through much tribulation that we enter the kingdom of heaven." This is the way in which we must go, if we would ever enter there. We must make religion the great business of life, to which every thing else must give place. We must engage in the work with our whole souls, looking to Christ for strength against our spiritual enemies; following the example of Paul, "forgetting those things which are |