CHAPTER I. 1t)1 self up to the Lord, I do it now with the greatest solemnity, and from the bottom of my heart : I commit my guilty soul into the hands of Jesus my Redeemer, that he may sprinkle it with his atoning blood, that he may clothe it with his justifying righ- teousness, and make me, a vile sinner, accepted in the presence of a just and holy God : I appear, O Father, in (he presence of thy justice andholiness, clothed in the garments of thine own Son, and I trust thou beholdest not iniquity in me to punish it. I give my soul, that has much corruption in it by nature, and much of the remaining power of sin, into the hands of my almighty Saviour, that by his grace he may form all my powers anew ; that he may subdue every irregular appetite, and root out everydisorderly passion ; that he may frame me after his own image, fill me with his own grace, and fit me for his own glory. I hope in thee my God, for thou 'art my refuge, my strength, and my salvation ; I love thee above all things ; and I know I love thee. Whom have I in heaven but thee ? "Ind there is none upen earth that I desire in in comparison of thee I desire thee with my strongest affections, and 1 delight in thee above all delights : my soul stands in awe, andfears before thee : and I rejoice to love such a God who is almighty, and the object of my highest reverence." 4. A profession of our humble and holy resolutions to be the Lord's for ever. This is what is generally called a vow. Now, though I cannot encourage christians to hind themselves in particular instances by frequently repeated vows, and espe- cially in things that are in themselves indifferent; which often- times prove a dangerous snare to souls : yet we can never be too frequent, or too solemn in the general surrender of our souls to God, and binding our souls by a vow to be the Lord's for ever : to love him above all things ; to fear him, to hope in him, to walk in his ways," in a course of holy obedience, and to wait for his mercy unto eternal life. For such a vow as this is, is included in thenatureof both the ordinances of the gospel, baptism, and the Lord's - supper. Such a vow as this is, is comprehended almost in every act ofworáhip, and especially in solemn addresses. to God by prayer. I might add, In the lastplace, that together with this profession or self- dedication to God, it is necessary we should renounce every thing that is inconsistent herewith, and that under each of these four preceding heads : "As I am thine, OLord, and 1 belong not to this world : i have given myself to thee, and 1 have given my- self away from sin and from the creature : I have renounced the worldas myportion, and chosen the Father. I have renounced all other saviours, and all my own duties and righteousnesses as the foundation of my interest in the favour of God, and chosen Christ Jesus, as my only way to the Father. I have renounced G 3
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