What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ; yea doubtless, and count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things; and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him (as my righteousness).-Phil. iii. 7-9. T HIS was the life and constant mind of St. Paul. The words "In Him," "in Christ," "in the Lord," "I am Christ's," etc., occur in his epistles continually. I choose them also for my staff, and my song in the wilderness; they shall be my great tower, my strong fortress, my sweet paradise, mine only element and life. Here may I take up mine abode for ever, and the Lord keep me steadfast! "It is good for us to be here;" for this is Pisgah, the mount of the Lord, where Jesus, being transfigured, reveals his glory to his disciples. Here we should build our tabernacle ; and here may death find me at last. Help me, O thou Spirit of the Lord, to be a true believer in Christ Jesus, "not having mine own righteousness," nor trusting to anything that I have done or am able to do; but may I, casting away as worthless all that the world calls excellent, cleave to Christ and be found in him. O may I be able to make Christ my resting-place and my refuge at all times. Had I ten thousand gifts beside, And build on him alone; For no foundation is there given On which I'd place my hopes of heaven, The Penitent's Prayer.-What must I do to be saved?-Acts xvi. 30. Divine Answer.-Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.-Acts xvi. 31. AITH is not a confidence of our own making, but it is God that works it in a broken and repenting heart. This faith purifies the heart, crucifies the old Adam, overcomes the world, changes us in heart, mind, and all the powers and faculties of the soul, which is the true Protestant faith; and not that we only think and say, "I believe." By this we must try our faith. All true believers have received it, under a sense of godly sorrow, and with brokenness of heart. If we feel something of this, and apply to Christ by prayer for faith and grace, we have a sure mark of faith already; for if we did not believe, we would not pray. And he that daily applies to the blood of Christ for cleansing, has true faith and hope already, though he is but weak, and does not taste any joy. The Lord grant to all our souls that repentance unto life, and that faith in Jesus Christ, which are the saving graces of the Spirit, that in due time, when the end is come, we may receive a crown of glory to wear for ever in the presence of the Prince of Life, and of God himself. Ye dying souls, that sit In darkness and distress, Sinners shall hear his sound; Abstain from all appearance of evil.-1 Thess. v. 22. That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.-Phil. ii. 15. See also Eph. v. 8. BE E as the sun in the firmament; he giveth light to all; so let your light shine before all men. By doing so, some may walk in it, and God will be glorified. Be no slaves to the flesh, but, on the contrary, show a willing and holy service to the most high God! Bless those that are against you. Lord, I desire to shine in good works, the genuine fruits of faith; therefore will I give myself up to thee, to purge me, that I may bring forth more fruit. Looking upon myself as thine, I would not only abstain from evil, but from the very appearance of it. Some are satisfied with knowing they are blameless, and care not what others think of them; but for the Gospel's sake I desire to appear blameless before others, lest some offence should come through me: which, as far as in me lieth, I would prevent. Thy children, O God, are as lights in the world. O pour thy grace, that heavenly oil, into my lamp, and so trim it that it may give light unto all around, that they may be led to glorify thy holy name. O Lord, my stubborn will subdue; Let him that is athirst, come; and whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.-Rev. xx. 17. F there be a sense of sin, and want of spiritual J" blessings, and a willingness to be saved by grace, though you know not that it is Christ's secret power that makes you willing, yet being athirst and willing, you are invited : do not puzzle and perplex yourselves with such questions as these: Am I elected? Have I a right? Am I prepared but come upon the invitation, and take pardon, peace, righteousness, and every Gospel blessing, as free gifts to the needy. If one ready to perish with hunger and thirst were invited to a feast and assured of welcome, and he should stand hesitating, Have I a right am I worthy would it not seem preposterous in him thus to demur, when his necessities were pressing upon him, and a plentiful table before him The weary, the hungry, the thirsty, the guilty, the worthless, the vilest, are invited to believe in Jesus, who came only to save sinners, and hath assured them in his word, that those who thus come to him, “he will in no wise cast out." The Spirit in the word And in his motions cries, "Come to the Fountain-head of life, Let him who feels his thirst, Nor can endure its rage, Come to salvation's copious springs, And all his pains assuage. And whosoever will, Is welcome to receive The streams of everlasting life, Weep not; behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has prevailed.-Rev. v. 5. The Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.-1 John iii. 8. Sin shall not have dominion over you.-Rom. vi. 14. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.-Rom. viii, 2. ANY complain that, though they will not turn back, yet they have no power to advance farther. If this should be thy case, my reader, remember that the enemy of souls will discourage thee. Go on praying, and venture it evermore upon the Lord. Consider how he awakened you at first, how often he has heard your prayers afterwards, and assisted you in many hard struggles. Surely he will help you now also. If that will not do, begin, as it were, afresh; acknowledge yourself guilty in every respect; and, as the chief of sinners, plead for mercy, and be instant in your humble supplications; looking at the same time upon God as a reconciled Father through Christ, who is willing to receive you, pardon, and bless you, in spite of all your misery: then you will soon make a better progress. To despair of our own strength is good; but we must never despair of the power of Christ, who is risen from the dead, but be sure to overcome with him at last. He will certainly help you in the due and best season. Hell and thy sins resist thy course, But hell and sin are vanquished foes! He dies, and in that dreadful night |