Whosoever committeth sin, transgresseth also the
law; for sin is the transgression of the lan;
and ye know that he was manifested to take
away our sins. 1 John iii. 4, 5. All unright-
eousness is sin. Chap. v. 17. When he had
by himself purged our sins, sat down on the
right hand of the Majesty on high. Heb. i. 3.
THERE is a far greater power in the blood of
CHRIST to save and cleanse, than in sin to defile
and destroy. Rom. viii. 3. The law became
weak to do good, but it hath power to condemn :
"The strength of sin is the law" the law gives
strength to sin, because, by virtue of the curse of
the law, sin reigns and defiles the souls of men,
through that righteous curse, "The soul that sins
shall die." But the blood of Jesus Christ hath
greater power to save, than sin, together with the
law, hath to condemn; for the blood of CHRIST
takes away and abolishes it utterly; where this
blood is applied and brought home, sin itself can-
not ruin that soul. The soul is poisoned and
corrupted by sin; but the blood of CHRIST takes
away the guilt of sin, yet not the being of it; as
we are sanctified but in part, we can only plead
with God that we may be kept by almighty
power, and that Jesus may be for us, who is
stronger than all that can come against us.
O dear incarnate Son of God,

Well wash me in thy precious blood!
Cast all my guilt into that sea,

And let no lust have power o'er me.

The shafts against my soul that sin and Satan wield,
Ward off, and be to me a refuge sure and shield;

In sore temptations be my guide,

My soul, in fiery trials, lead;

Me rescue from the power of hell,

Within thy house make me to dwell!

And oh! at last, unspotted at thy Father's throne,

Present me through thy perfect righteousness alone.

Q

Be ye not as the horse or as the mule, which have no understanding whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Ps. xxxii. 9. Therefore, if ye call on the Father, who, without respect of persons, judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear. 1 Pet. i. 17.

READER, dost thou believe there is a God, and that he will shortly judge thee for every evil action thou hast done, and for all the secret iniquity of thy bosom ?-how then canst thou meet thy Judge, unless thy heart be changed and thy sins are pardoned? There will be no room for dissembling, excusing, or escaping them. Begin therefore in time, O wretched man, to consider how thou must appear before that awful judgment-seat! The door of mercy is yet open. Oh call upon the Lord Jesus for repentance and pardon, before the door be shut, and thou be lost for ever. The gulph of destruction is standing with an open mouth ready to receive thee; Jesus is also standing with his arms stretched widely out to receive and to welcome thee back to his Father and to thy Father's love. Whither dost thou choose to go? O, go to Jesus!

O God, mine inmost soul convert;
And deeply on my thoughtful heart
Eternal things impress;

Give me to feel their solemn weight,
And tremble on the brink of fate,
And wake to righteousness!

Pe this my one great business here,
With serious industry and fear,
My future bliss t' insure;
Thine utmost counsel to fulfil,
And suffer all thy righteous will,
And to the end endure !

Be strong and of a good courage, I will be with thee; I will not fail thee nor forsake thee. Only be thou strong and very courageous! O sweet commandment! Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. O glorious promise! Joshua i. 5, 6, 9. See also Isa. xiv. 4.

GOD calls upon us to be strong in faith; and strong faith will make men cheerful and courageous, and enable them to overcome strong difficulties. Therefore, if thy feet and heart are bound for Canaan, trust stoutly in the Lord to carry thee safely through all the trials and temptations that beset thy path, and to defend thee in all thy conflicts with the world and with Satan. Feeble as thou art, yet go on and fear nothing, for God is with thee. He that has but this one care, and fears not to displease him, need not care for, or fear anything else; his safety is ensured in the promise of God, who will keep him harmless in all things. O thou God of Israel, who didst lead thine ancient people to their desired rest, grant me to be strong and courageous in thee, while travelling to my Canaan of peace, and may thy fear fill my heart.

Awake, our souls, (away our fears,

Let every trembling thought be gone,)
Awake and run the heavenly race,
And put a cheerful courage on.

True, 'tis a strait and thorny road,
And mortal spirits tire and faint;

But they forget the mighty God,
That feeds the strength of every saint.

From Him, the overflowing spring,

Our souls shall drink a fresh supply;
While such as trust their native strength
Shall melt away, and droop, and die.

Behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world! John i. 29. These are they who came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple. Rev. vii. 14, 15.

THESE are they who have obtained pardon and purification through the blood of the Lamb, they are the Lamb's wife, arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Rev. xix. 8. And it is because they are washed in the blood of the Lamb, that they are admitted to the immediate presence of God, and are before the throne. Nothing that is impure or unholy, or that defileth, can come there. He that washes himself continually in the blood of CHRIST, does not make light of sin, but detests it above all things, for what can be more abominable than sin, since it cannot be taken away but by the blood of the Son of God! This humbles true believers, and makes them watch against sin; and if it has not the same effect on thee, Reader, matters are not right with thy soul; for, talking of the blood of the Lamb, and yet trifling with sin, cannot agree together, but shew a false or a deceived heart.

Now will I hate those lusts of mine
That crucified my God!

Those sins that pierced and nailed his flesh
Fast to the fatal wood.

Yes, my Redeemer, they shall die,

My heart has so decreed;

Nor will I spare the guilty things
That made my Saviour bleed.
Whilst with a melting, broken heart,
My murdered Lord I view,
I'll raise revenge against my sins,
And slay the murd❜rers too.

Verily, I say unto you, they have their reward. Matt. vi. 2. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

FOR this crown faith strives. And because this faith justifies, it makes the world say,-Well, I also believe. But where is their conflict and conquest? It is answered, I rely on CHRIST and grace. But Canaan was also a free gift of grace, and yet it was not taken without conflicts. And moreover, as worldly people are unacquainted with the wickedness of their hearts, they do not trust alone upon grace, but on their duties and outward form of godliness; self-love, and pride, still reigning in their hearts. When shalt thou, my soul, be driven from thy earthly stay, when shalt thou hope alone in Jesus, and be saved? How long shalt thou trust in an arm of flesh? O turn now unto the Lord who begat thee, and in his strength fight, and thou shalt overcome all thine enemies; in him have faith, and with thee all shall be well.

No works nor duties of your own
Can for the smallest sin atone;
The robes that nature may provide
Will not the least pollutions hide.

Ye sons of pride, that kindle coals
With your own hands to warm your souls,
Walk in the light of your own fire,
Enjoy the sparks that ye desire.

This is your portion at my hands,
Hell waits you with her iron bands;
You shall lie down in sorrow there,
In death, in darkness, and despair.