254 FAITH BUILT ON KNOWLEDCE. [DISC. TX. hung upon the tree took my burden off, sprinkled me with his own blood, and undertook to secure me from the wrath of God for ever. I know who it was that re- lieved me from these terrors, and I rejoice in his atone. ment." " I had no righteousness to appear in before a pure and a hnly God, and I had just reason to dread his pre- sence as a consuming fire ;" but the same glorious per. son put a Complete righteousness upon nie, through faith, whereby I'. can stand before a just God, with humble confidence ; and I know and adore the "Lordmy righte. ousness." My nature was all corrupted, my sins were strong; I had no power to think or to do that which was good ; and I know whose grace it was that renewed all my na- ture, that formed my soul to religious thoughts, that set me upon the work of mortification, and assisted me in those divine labours. I remember what powerful seeds of vanity were found in my heart; and if I had not given up the garden to Christ's keeping, it had been all over- run With weeds, and neither fruit nor flower had ever ap- peared there." " When I met with temptations I found myself a very unequal match for them ; for I was by nature all weak- ness ; but by the knowledge of Christ I have obtained strength : I have often found his grace sufficient for me, and his strength -made perfect in my infirmity: I know by whose power it is, that -I stand, and I am persuaded that he that has kept me hitherto, is still able to save me from falling : I have tried his grace so often, and found it suf- ficient hitherto, that I will trust him for what remains. I have committed my soul therefore to his keeping till the day of my death, till thegreat day of my resurrection. And we who are alive believe concerning those that are gone, that our blessed Lord has fulfilled a great part of his trust; has introduced their spirits into the presence of their Father with exceeding joy ; and will fulfil the design of his love, when the dead shall arise to complete glory." Thus I have endeavoured to make it appear, that a believer knows so much of the person of Christ, of his qualifications for a Saviour, and his divine commission for this purpose, as to engage his trust and confidence
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=