g of the opposite
obedience in my place, so that the law is magnified, its curse
more than carried, its demand more than answered.

"Often the doctrine of _Christ for me_ appears common, well
known, having nothing new in it; and I am tempted to pass it by
and go to some scripture more taking. This is the devil
again,--a red-hot lie. _Christ for us_ is ever new, ever
glorious. 'Unsearchable riches of Christ,'--an infinite object,
and the only one for a guilty soul. I ought to have a number of
scriptures ready, which lead my blind soul directly to Christ,
such as Isaiah 45, Rom. 3.

"2. _To be filled with the Holy Spirit_, I am persuaded that I
ought to study more my own weakness. I ought to have a number of
scriptures ready to be meditated on, such as Rom. 7, John 15, to
convince me that I am a helpless worm.

"I am tempted to think that I am now an established
Christian,--that I have overcome this or that lust so
long,--that I have got into the habit of the opposite grace,--so
that there is no fear; I may venture very near the
temptation--nearer than other men. This is a lie of Satan. I
might as well speak of gunpowder getting by habit a power of
resisting fire, so as not to catch the spark. As long as powder
is wet, it resists the spark; but when it becomes dry, it is
ready to explode at the first touch. As long as the Spirit
dwells in my heart He deadens me to sin, so that, if lawfully
called through temptation, I may reckon upon God carrying me
through. But when the Spirit leaves me, I am like dry gunpowder.
Oh for a sense of this!

"I am tempted to think that there are some sins for which I have
no natural taste, such as strong drink, profane language, etc.,
so that I need not fear temptation to such sins. This is a
lie,--a proud, presumptuous lie. The seeds of all sins, are in
my heart, and perhaps all the more dangerously that I do not see
them.

"I ought to pray and labor for the deepest sense of my utter
weakness and helplessness that ever a sinner was brought to
feel. I am helpless in respect of every lust that ever was, or
ever will be, in the human heart. I am a worm--a beast--before
God. I often tremble to think that this is true. I feel as if it
would not be safe for me to renounce all indwelling strength, as
if it would be dangerous for me to feel (what is the truth) that
ther