102 THE PRACTICAL USES [SEAM. XXXVI. " Lord, I have sinned, but thy Son has suffered : I come to the throne of grace in his name. My offences cry for vengeance, but the blood of Jesus speaks better things, and cries louder for peace and pardon. Let the voice of that blood which has made full satisfaction for the vilest sins, prevail over all my unworthiness Let the Lamb which is in the midst ofthe throne he honoured this day, by introducing a guilty creature with all his complaints and sorrows into thy awful presence, and thy divine favour. Let me obtain grace in the hour of my distress and necessity: And, O that I may find such suc- cess, and such ease of soul, in drawing near to God by the blood of Christ, that on all occasions I may run to this refuge, and maintain humble and constant commu- nion with God my Father, in this new and living way of access. May this earthly and foolish spirit of mine, ne- ver be such a stranger as it has been at the mercy-seat, since the door of approach is always open, since I have so glorious an introducer." IV. We shoulduse this atonement of Christ, as a di- vine guard against temptation /and sin ; 1 Pet. i. 15, 19. " As he which bath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation ; for ye are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without ble- mish, and without spot." Reflection. " And has this soul of mine, which Was in slavery to sin and the power of Satan been redeemed by the death of the Son of God ? And shall I run back to my old slavery, and give myself up again to the reign and tyranny of sin ? Has this guilty and polluted soul been washed in so precious a laver as the blood of the Son of God ? And shall I defile myself again ? Shall I " return with the dog to his vomit, or with the swine that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire ?" 2 Pet. ii. 22. It was sin that cost my Redeemer so dear, that cost him agonies and death : And shall I indulge such an enemy in my heart, and obey it in my practice ?" God forbid ! How shall I that am dead to sin, by my interest in a dying Saviour, live any longer therein ?" Rom. vi. 2. It is a scandal and reproach to this blessed doctrine of atonement, ifI should ever dare give a loose to my ini- quities, while I profess faith in the blood of Christ. Grant, O Jesus, that I may never turn this adorable grace of thine into wantonness."
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