140 THE BRUISED REED Christ the quickening Spirit, and resolve in his strength. 'Though we are exhorted to " cleave to the Lord with full purpose of heart," yet we must pray with David, " Lord, for ever keep it in the thoughts of our hearts and prepare our hearts unto thee,'' 1 Chron. xxix. 18. Our hearts are of themselves very loose and unsettled, ' 'Lord, unite our hearts to fear thy nmne," or else without him our best purposes will fall to the ground. It is a pleasing request, out of love to God, to beg such a frame from him, wherein he may take delight; and therefore in the use of all the n1eans, we must send up our desires and complaints to heaven for strength and help, and then we may be sure, that " he will bring forth judgment unto victory." 7. It furthers the state of the soul, to know what frame it should be in, that so we may order ourselves accordingly.- W e should always be fit for communion with God, and J:>e heavenly-minded in earthly business, and be willing to be taken off frmn it, to redeem time for better things. w ·e should be ready at all times to depart hence, and to live in such a (;ondition, as we would be content to.
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