ligence and carelessness, sins have been more than half allowed; and how often our watchfulness has become relaxed, and we have thus fallen into temptation! Or again, how little have our evil tempers been subdued! Even all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. Isa. lxiv, 6.* The true ground of a right confession of our sins is a just knowledge of the holy law of God, and of our hearts and lives. Self-examination is then absolutely necessary in order to an enlightened and feeling confession of sin. This will keep us from their mistake who confess little sins much, and altogether neglect greater; who confess those sins which they seldom commit, and neglect those into which they fall continually and frequently. II. PETITION. From confessing our sins, we may easily and naturally pass to the earnest request of those blessings which sinners want; and this, either by A profession of shame and sorrow for so many sins; or, of purpose to renounce our own righteousness; or, A desire of grace for greater strictness in future; or A brief application to ourselves of the many promises of mercy to those that repent and believe. First, ask for those things which concern the AVERT ING OF EVIL. The great thing which we need is divine mercy. When David had a peculiarly strong sense of his sinfulness upon his mind, he begins his prayer with earnest and repeated petitions for mercy. "Have mercy upon * A pious person found a great advantage in keeping a list of those sins to which he had found himself specially tempted, and praying daily and particularly for strength against them. me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions." Ps. li, 1. The penitent publican asked only for mercy. We are to approach the throne of grace for this end, that we may obtain mercy. When the Apostle Paul sums up the benefit which he derived from his conversion, he does it in these words, I obtained mercy. Mercy, good Lord, mercy I ask, This is the total sum, For mercy, Lord, is all my suit; If, confessing our sins, we plead guilty to all the charge that is against us, in a spirit of humiliation and godly sorrow, and in dependence upon the promise "that whoso confesseth and forsaketh his sins shall find mercy," we need not doubt about a favorable reception. Jesus Christ has assured us, "him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out." Sinners need deliverance from the GUILT and from the POWER OF SIN. With respect to the GUILT OF SIN, seeing that believers are "justified freely by the grace of God through the redemption of Jesus Christ," you should pray for an interest in this justification. Urge the Ps. mercy. of God, for with the Lord there is mercy cxxx, 7. Plead the merits of Christ, "who was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities." Isa. liii, 5. "Who was made sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 1 Cor. v, 6. Urge the many and faithful promises, "if we confess our sins, he is just and faithful to forgive us our sins." 1 John i, 9. Only acknowledge thine iniquity." Jer. xii, 13. You should also seek for more than mere pardon ; I mean a knowledge of being pardoned and accepted in Christ. This is promised, and may, and should, be obtained: ask then, with David, say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. Pray that "being justified by faith, you may have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ," (Rom. v, 1.) and be "sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance." Nor be satisfied till you can say, "the Spirit itself beareth witness with our Spirit, that we are the children of God." Rom. viii. 16. Thus seek to have the full assurance of faith and hope. Heb. vi, 11. X, 22. ན With respect to the POWER OF SIN, remember that Jesus Christ is "exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance" as well as "remission of sins;" no avowedly impenitent sinner is a pardoned sinner. Pray then, that "the grace of God which bringeth salvation," may teach you "to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world ;" pray, that the Saviour may purify you unto himself, that you may be found among his peculiar people, zealous of good works. Various pleas may be urged to obtain this deliverance. Christ gave himself for this end; and he says, herein is my father glorified, that ye bear much fruit. You are surrounded with numerous TEMPTATIONS. Pray that God would "not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able to bear. The HEART is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked;" pray that it may be freed from all guile, deceit, and hypocrisy, purified by faith in Jesus. Acts xv, 9. You are in an ensnaring WORLD, pray that you may "not be conformed to it, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Rom. xii, 2. «The DEVIL goeth about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour; ask then that "the God of peace would bruise Satan under your feet shortly." Rom. xvi, 20. You have deserved various punishments, and have therefore reason to pray that no evil may befal you, neither any plague come nigh your dwelling; (Ps. ix, 1.) you have reason to ask with David, “cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Ps. li, 11. To these prayers for the averting of evil, add Petitions for those good things which you need. SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS are the things of first and main importance. The direction is to seek these things first. It is not inaptly observed, "the petition of heavenly things is the only key that must open the door to our petition for temporals." The first spiritual blessing is a new heart and a new spirit. Ezek. xxxvi, 26. Pray, then, that " you may put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Eph. iv, 24. With what sins does your conscience charge you? go through all the particulars, and pray for the opposite graces: Are you proud? pray for humility: Are you wordly for heavenly-mindedness. Is there any grace which you specially need? pray for it. Is there any sin into which you are more apt to fall? pray to be delivered from it. Is any duty or trial before you ? ask for wisdom, grace, and strength, in that particular circumstance. Keep minutes of these things, for your own use. ? Your heart, in short, is not in a right state, till it be your fixed purpose to devote yourself entirely to God; and you long to have all the powers of your mind, the affections of your soul, and the members of your body wholly given up to his service. St. Paul prays for the Thessalonians, (v, 23.) "the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved blameless, unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ;" and beseeches the Romans, "present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God:" and reminds the Corinthians, "ye are not your own, but bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." The love of God must excite and animate you to this. Pray, then, that the love of God may be shed abroad in your hearts by the Holy Ghost. Rom. v, 6. Love is the fulfilling of the law, the most excellent gift. 1 Cor. xiii. Desire, then, that you may be taught of God to love others; (1 Thess. iv, 9.) "to be kindly-affectioned one to another, with brotherly love, in honour preferring one another." Rom. xii. Christians, who feel that the precious deposit of Christ's glory is in a peculiar way entrusted to them, will especially pray that they may be enabled in all things to "adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour;" that they may be "holy in all manner of conversation; walking worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing ;" that they may "give all diligence, and add to their faith, virtue* knowledge-temperance-patience-godliness--brotherly kindness--and charity." 2 Pet. i, 5–7. The Christian need not confine himself to petitions for spiritual blessings. TEMPORAL BLESSINGS are promised, and may be sought of God. Whatever good thing you may want, relative to your earthly comfort; whatever direction, provision, or protection, you need concerning your body, your calling, your name, your estate, or your friends; whatever your desires be, "in ev # agens, strength, or courage in the work of Christ. |