514 A SERIOUS ADDRESS TO Entirely abandon thyself to Jesus. Freely trust him with thy present and eternal salvation. Whether thou swim or sink, let thyself go into the ocean of mercy. Catch at no broken reed by the way, but calmly ven- ture into the unfathomable depths of redeeming love. Lose thus thy life, and thou shalt find it. The power of God will soon be made perfect in thy weakness;. and when thy strength is renewed, earnestly wrestle again. Thus go on, alternately striving and waiting, according to the leadings öf the Holy Spirit, till having passed through all the inferior dispensations of divine grace, thou enter by faith into the rest that remains for the people of God, and take possession of that kingdom of God, which consists in righteousness, peace, and'joy in the Holy Ghost. . VII. In that kingdom, happy believer, the times of refreshing fully come from the presence of the Lord : mercy and love, embrace thee on every side; and thy sprinkled conscience enjoys the peace of sin - pardoning God. Then smiling Justice, more than satisfied by the meritorious death of Christ, sheathes her flaming sword, and declares, "There is now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus; they are justified from all things, and freely forgiven all trespasses. " - And now thou ,art more than conqueror through him that loved thee. Standing by humble faith in his om- nipotence, thou canst do all things, through his grace strengthening thee. Sin has no dominion over thee the cruel and bloody tyrant, that reigned unto death, is dethroned ; and grace, rich grace, sweetly reigns through righteousness unto eternal life. Triumphing in Christ over thy fiercest enemies, and putting thy victorious foot upon the neck of the last thou chal- lengest his utmost rage, and shoutest, " O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory ? Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ !" Now thou seest and feelest that God is LOVE. Thon dwellest' "in Hinz, and He in thee. Love, the fulfilling of the law, diffusing itself through all thy heart, influ- ences thy looks, words, and actions, and makes thee
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