Watts - Houston-Packer Collection BX5207.W3 S4x 1805 v.1

SLRM. XXVII.] CHRISTIAN MORALITY, VIZ. CHASTITY, &c. 453 that I h,ight not sin against thee." The word of God is the sword of the Spirit, to put to flight, and to slay whole armies of iniquity. 7: Fly dail"y"to the mercy-seat for divine aid : Commit thy soul and body to.the keeping of Christ ; he is exalted and authorized tù take care of sinners, who make him their refuge ;: he is also compassionate and ready to suc- cour the tempted. There is cleansing virtue in the blood of Christ to wash away the foulest guilt, and to sprinkle the conscience of the humble penitent with peace' and pardon: and there;is all -sufficient power and grace with him to subdue the most raging vices. Make haste to him by humble faith, and most importunate prayer : Conti- nue instant at the throne.: Never rest till he bath by his providence and his grace delivered you from the danger- ous temptation, or madeyou conqueror over the sin that easily besets you. There are a thousand souls in heaven, who were once conflicting here with the same impure temptations, bit they gained the victory by the blood;and Spirit of Christ, and are made mere than conquerors through him who bath loved them. I fear I have trespassed upon my hearers, dwelling thus long on this dangerous theme. It is time to retire, and end my discourse. Those who have a mind to be better furnished with weapons and divine armour against these enemies of purity and virtue. I would recommend to them three books, where they may find abundant pro- vision : And these are Mr. Ostervald's treatise of un- cleanness, Mr. Henry's four discourses against iinrno- rality, and Mr. Baxter's hristiaii directory, tome I, chap. 8, part 5. And may the holy and pure spirit, who attended at the baptism of our Saviour in the form Of a dove, which is an emblem of chastity, niay he give these waters of the sanctuary a divine efficacy, to purify the souls of polluted sinners, and to guard the innocent and the tempted from these dangerouspollutions !

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