Lkewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us. Rom. viii. 26. the GOD is a Spirit; and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth. God hath many worshippers on particular occasions, who cannot be called Spiritual Worshippers. Take, for instance, the prayers of wicked men under their convictions, or their fears, troubles, and dangers, and the prayers of believers: former is merely an outcry that distressed Nature makes to the God of it, and as such alone it considers him; but the other is the voice of the Spirit of Adoption, addressing itself to the hearts of believers unto God as a Father. Woe to professors of the gospel, who shall be seduced to believe, that all they have to do with God consists in their attendance upon moral virtue; it is fit for them so to do, who, being weary of Christianity, have a mind to turn Pagans ; but " our fellow hip is with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ," under the promised working and intercession of the Spirit; for by them alone are the love of the Father, and the fruits of the mediation of the Son communicated unto us, without which we have no interest or comfort in them; and by the influences of the Spirit alone we are enabled to make any acceptable returns of obedience to God. To exclude the internal operations of the Holy Ghost, is to destroy the gospel. Spirit of wisdom, grace, and pow'r ! Of pray'r and faith the quick'ning spring! With Father, Son, we Thee adore, Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we are incorruptible (1 Cor. ix. 25) ; for he that overcometh shall inherit all things. Rev. xxi. 7. To o be only an almost Christian is a very hard thing; but to be a Christian altogether, makes all easy and pleasant; and such as desire to have the whole Christ, his whole salvation and all that is his, must needs give themselves up to him, not only in part, but wholly, according to that fundamental and most reasonable rule, All for all;" and, as far as we deny him any thing, we make ourselves unhappy; but the more we are resigned to him, the more we are fit to enjoy him and his spiritual blessings. Many would sooner be persuaded to follow Christ, if it was allowed to serve him by halves, and reserve some things to themselves. But what could that profit them? Christ will not be bargained with; and nothing is more dangerous than the dividing our hearts between him and the world, or waiting from time to time for a more convenient season to break through. Thus you may live many years, and be neither cold nor hot; and so at last be spewed out of the Lord's mouth. Consider this well, O ye double-minded, lukewarm souls! Christianity requires great striving, and overcoming all things, even our most favourite aad darling lusts. Rouse, therefore, thy drowsy heart, spare thyself no longer, rise above the trifles of this world, fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called. Take away my darling sin; - Force me, Lord, with all to part; A new commandment give I unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John xiii. 34. ALL the commandments of God are commandments of love, tending to our real good and great happiness, far from being grievous to those who have faith and love; the practice thereof is life and peace. The world may think it a grievous burden; but this is a great mistake indeed. Šin is grievous. In hatred, envy, anger, revenge, pride, there is nothing but torment and slavery; but in love there is a sweet rest and pleasure. -Thus a sinner always punishes himself, and is robbed of great peace and blessing, by transgressing the commandments of God. Saviour, look down with pitying eyes, Subdue in us the carnal mind, Its enmity destroy; With cords of love th' old Adam bind, Us into closest union draw, And in our inward parts Let Kindness sweetly write her law; G Deliver us from evil. Mat. vi. 13. Divine Answer: Fear not, for I have redeemed thee; I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee. When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burnt; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Isa. xliii. 1,2. Christ has, by his own blood, once entered into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Heb. ix. 12. THIS precious redemption is the foundation of our present deliverance, and will, finally, produce an everlasting deliverance from all evil. He who loaths and detests not only the evil of punishment, but of sin itself, and consequently pants after Jesus, both for his love and for his likeness, such a one hath faith already, and sin has lost its dominion over him. And though he may be tempted with it severely, yet he is under the law no more; for the reigning power of sin being broke, the law has lost its condemning power also; we are delivered from the power of the evil one, and we may be sure of a continual, nay, eternal redemption. We may often feel the evil, but by prayer and watchfulness be as often delivered from it also. Thy solemn vows are on me, Lord; Thou hast secur'd my soul from death, O set thy pris'ner free! That heart and hand, and life and breath, Stir up the gift of God, which is in thee. 2 Tim. i. 6. Psalm lii. 3. 2 Sam, vii. 18, 28. How can this be done? Answer: By looking as well upon thy own great poverty and wants, as upon the riches of grace which is in Christ for thee, and so drawing near to God, through him in faith ; but is it not enough to do this once for all, or now and then only? It is to be thy daily work. One day's omission may greatly hurt thy soul; especially the morning hours are very proper for this purpose. These must directly be laid hold on to converse with God in prayer, before we meddle with any thing else in our business, though ever so needful and important, for fear of being entangled and distracted perhaps the whole day; and to gather the more strength, draw as near to Christ as possible, and even wrestle with him, as if it were the last time! Pour out thy whole heart before him, not giving over too soon; but be instant in thy supplications, at least with continual inward groaning, till thy heart burn within thee, and thou feel the quickening influence of his grace and Spirit. Then great care is to be taken to preserve this blessing and strength in a quiet and well composed mind, examining thyself frequently, especially at nights, how the day has been spent. I'll lift my hands, I'll raise my voice, -- This work shall make my heart rejoice, |