164 nEFOa"..1ATION OF 7ríAIO:1104. sinnerfromthe etasof his way. Thus shall ye save his soulfrom death, andby the discoveryof a few, ye shall hide a multitaade of sins;. James v. 20. Consider, Thirdly, That you are engagedon the side of- God, you are fighting his battles, and the inscription of your banner is Jehovah nessi. Think on the high honour that he hhtll bestowed upon you by translating you out of the kingdom Of darkness into the king- dom ofhis dear Son, andemploying you in his service. Remein ber that you were once on the side of sin, and rebels against heaven,- alienatedfrom the yeofGod, and enemies inyour minds by wicked works ; Col. i. 2l: G give him the glory-of his recon cuing and renewing grace ; and when you behold sinners wal- lowing in their pollutions, let each of you cry out with wonderful thankfulness, «Lord, who or what am I, that thou shouldst draw me out ofthat sink of sin in -which the world-dwells! That thou shouldst pluck me as a brand out of the fire- That thou shouldst make so sweet a differencebetwixt inc and others, who ans by nature a child of Wrath, even as they ! O why was not I suffered to run to the same excess of riot and be exposed tó the same punishment and shame !" While you are endea- vouring to reclaim others, let your hearts offer up many a grate- ful sacrifice of praise to God Tor yourselves : Adore his restrain- ingmercy and recovering love.. This will maintaina right frame ofspirit within you, and a true tenderness for the souls ofthose whomyou punish : Rest not till you enjoy the brightest.and most delightful evidences of regenerating gracè in your own souls ; this will make all your future labours for God more abundantly pleasant and easy. Consider also, Fourthly, That God is engaged on your side.- IIemanages his providence, he sends his ministers, his gospel, and his Spirit, to reform the nature of men, and to destroy sin from the earth. Be often upon your knees with your hands lifted up to heaven-, and engage the continuance ofdivine presence with you : Proceed and pray heartily for your own success : Wrestle. with God by -supplication, that sihnhis enemy may be overcome, and the sinner whom you prosecute may be reduced to piety, and saved in the dayofthe Lord. Letthe hand ofprayer never hang down while the rod of battle is lifted up against Amalek, for it is only by divine assistance that ye can prevail. Ye have the blessing of the Lord upon you for your encouragement; and the hearts and prayers of all good men with you, though you have not all their hands. There was a bitter curse. of old pronounced by an angel against Meroz, merely for a neglect of the divinewarfare, I pray heartilythat it may light on none of our heads; Judges v. 23. "Curse ÿe Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof, because they came not to the help of the
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