Joseph A. Benton Collection

(7) [centered]

Leads to despair – wretchedness, suicide. ~ "A people that walketh after his own thoughts. "Word of the L [Lord] is a discerner of t. [the] thoughts & intents of t. [the] heart ~ " ~ 6. Skeptical thoughts ~ Most people will have doubting moods – these should scorned – not cherished. Begins to doubt – will doubt yet more – & get the balist [ballast] strong on him. Will not finally believe anything till there is no opportunity to escape it. Instead of xxx he doubts all things – holds fast to nothing.

Dwarfs himself – belittles his soul – Goes wandering thro [through] the fields of kn. [knowledge] a shriving, shaking – wavering – quaking – ghost of humanity – –. In morals & Religion he spots of every wind – the believer in in wind – the horror of evening calm ~ "Fool hath secured in his heart there is no God."

(8) [centered]

Remarks – [centered]

1 See that we may sin without overt action –; voluntary thoughts are the object of law-notice.

The state of the heart is what God takes note of – the intent of the mind –

Beware of sinning even then – God eye sees when man's does not

"Let wicked forsake his way & the righteous man his thot's [thoughts] & let him return &c. [etc.]" ~ – – – – – – – – – –

2 Learn how important it is to govern the thoughts – to banish them that are evil ~

This is our only safety – this we can do – not so successfully at all times; but we soon learn.

Bound to govern them as much as Exter. [external] conduct.

[written horizontally across notes] American Review. Missionary Herald. Home Missionary. ~ Quarterly. New Englander. ~

[upper left corner] (no. 20.) (Prop. [Proper] Repen [Repentance])

[upper right corner] (1)

Sunday May 14 – [centered] Acts 3:19 ~ [centered]

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out: (When the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord) ~ ~ State some of last sermon. One obstacle taken away – how that was – what the other is – Sinners own wrong state of heart –.

First obstacle was removed by providing a ground of merit – the second by presenting a ground of fitness. Repentance is nec. [necessary] – but not for t. [the] same reason that an aton. [atonement] is –. One supports anthor [another]. – the other puts us in right position – in respect of char [character] ~

(2) [centered]

I In deference to the holy character of God – We should repent ~

1 Pardon without penitence would show disregard of holiness. Care not what they are in char. [character] – treats sin & holiness alike – Shows him indiff [indifferent] to the highest good of creatures.

2. This w'd [would] show him inconsistent with himself. By his law he showed in majestic forms his love of holiness & hate of sin. Now, for aught you see, in his acts – he love alike. – He commands men to repent & be holy – lent this is to day I don't mean it – I am content if you don't repent – it will make no. diff. [difference] with you.

3. This would destroy his authority ~ Prove him unworthy of trust. These promises & threatenings are not to be relied on. Don't know what he will do. Indicates weakness – vacillation – Soon despise him – trample on him – lose all confidence – Disobey him & justly too ~

(3) [centered]

II In deference to Christ – or the score of gratitude.

1 By obeying in rep. [repentance] – we sh'd [should] show our ap-prec. [appreciation] of C^s [Christ's] sacrifice for us. His love was great – led to self-denial – "Greater love hath no men than this." &c. [etc.] He says repent – grat. [gratitiude] shd [should] lead lead us to humble ourselves at his feet ~ Loved when enemies. ~ 2 Thus we show that we Bewail sin wh. [which] caused his suffering. We had made it nec. [necessary] – to inflict suffering – our Sins made it nec. [necessary] – C. [Christ] underwent a vast amount – that we might go free # We sh'd [should] be most ungrateful – not to repent of such wrong – & mourn such conduct ~

3. Only thus should we show our intention to become like him. C. [Christ] was pure – he aimed to diminish suffering by removing sin – to have a holy church. If we aim not at same – we are unlike him – Till we repent – begin a new life we cant [can't] engage in building up his kingdom or like him go about doing good ~