tóß THE ATONEMENT OF CHRIST. Let me meditate again the sorrows and agoniesof my dear, my adored Redeemer. Infinite agonies and sorrows, beyond all the powers of language. is my heart made of stone, that it can hear such an history and not melt within me, have I no ten- der part within me to bleed at the rehearsal of such anguish and such love ? Blessed Jesus smite the rock of my heart, and let it pour out new streams of repentance and affectionate grati- tude. I was dead, and the Son of God gave himself up to death, in order to raise me to life again. I was a traitor and an enemy; and he hath sustained the arrows of the Almighty to reconcile me to his Father, and turn away his infinite indigna- tion. My great High-priest has offered up himself a bloody sacrifice for me, that my guilt might be forgiven, and cancelled for ever. Think, O my soul, study, contrive, speak., what wilt thou render to the Lord for such astonishing condescension, and such unexampled grace. Howwilt thou show, thy inestimable value of his atonement? What does he require of thee, but to keep those garments clean, which he has washed in so rich a fountain as his own blood ? And shall I ever wilfully indulge the practice of sin again, and return to my old defilements ? Shall I ever consent to break the law of my God ? HaveI not seen the dread- ful nature and dismal effects of it, in the agonies and death of my dearest Lord ? What shall I do that I may never sin more ? Lord, I cannot preserve myself from the fatal infection, while I dwell in a worldwhere sin reigns all around me, in a world that lies in wickedness; and while I am so nearly allied to flesh and blood, where folly, vice, and sin run through everyvein tomyheart, Jesus, I commit myself afresh to thy care, thou wilt save the soul that thou hast purchased at so dear a rate ; thou wilt accept and save a returning penitent. Here I devote my life, my self, my flesh and spirit, andall my powers to thy obedience, and the purposes of thy glory for ever and ever : My soul looks up to thee with an eye of humble confidence, and my faith and hope) rest on thy everlasting love. Arnett.
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