09. The true Believer prays to God to sanctify his heart

EXHORTATION.

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."—Hebrews xii. 14.

1. In view of his natural perversion, the true believer calls to mind that he himself cannot make himself holy, but that this is a work of God.

2. Therefore he uses the means ordained by God for sanctification. He remembers his holy baptism, in which the Holy Ghost was poured out upon him, and has taken up his dwelling in his heart, and diligently enquires whether he has forfeited this good spirit in after years by wanton sins. He knows that the holy communion is a food of sanctification, therefore, he tries, when he receives it, to make it sanctify his soul and body. He listens devoutly to God's word, and treasures in his heart what he has heard, so that he may progress in sanctification.

3. For sanctification should take place as well in the body as in the soul, through the power of God and the efficacy of the Holy Ghost. When the soul is sanctified, life must be led entirely in true sanctification.

4. This sanctification should take place betimes, not in old age or on the death-bed, but

TO SANCTIFY HIS SOUL.

while we can still pray, and use with appreciation the means of sanctification.

5. Such sanctification must then be manifested at all times, on all occasions, when in the presence of the children of this world; there our gestures, words and works should show that we have a sanctified heart, and that the Holy Ghost governs our lips and all our lives. Such sanctified souls may be sure of attaining the home of sanctification in the realms of light.

O most holy God! I am seized with dread whenever in my ears the voice is heard which says, "Be ye holy, even as I am holy;" and again, "Without sanctification no one shall see the Lord." When I reflect upon these words, and contrast them with my unsanctified heart, unsanctified thoughts, unsanctified words, and unsanctified works, I am seized with dread and shame of my former wicked and unsanctified life, when, alas! I followed the desires of my heart, and turned with the people of this world and offended thee with unsanctified words and deeds. Oh! if no one shall see thee but by sanctification, how few shall be saved, how many condemned! Help, then, O Lord! the saints have become fewer. O, therefore, most holy God! let me well know all this, that I may

THE BELIEVER PRAYS TO GOD.

study true holiness outwardly and inwardly. O Jesus! sanctify me by thy righteousness, thy merit and thy blood. O give me, who am by nature unholy, thy sanctification, that I may appear and stand therein, as in my finest raiment, before thy heavenly Father. Sanctify my life by thy holy word! Sanctify my heart that it may converse with holy thoughts forever. Sanctify my mouth that it may speak nothing unbecoming, unchristian and evil. Sanctify my will, that I may will and execute only the things well pleasing unto thee. Let this sanctification be genuine, that I may not only be holy and strive after holiness, in church, in the communion, or when engaged in religious exercises, but that I may also be holy and strive after holiness at all times and places, and on all occasions, and when compelled to live among the children of this world and in their company, that I then may speak, live and act as a child of God, and may remain in that holy state until death, when thou wilt bring me to the troops of the saints, and the chosen in the unfading light of life. Thou art holy, thou art to be found where men are pure and undefiled, but fleest from shame and sin as a pigeon from stench and decay; make me, by thy ablutions, pure and clean; let me flee what thou fleest, and give me what is pleasing in thy sight. Amen. MORNING PRAYER FOR WEDNESDAY.

MORNING PRAYER FOR WEDNESDAY.

I awoke, and I am still with thee, O gracious and loving God, my rock, my strong tower, my shield, and the horn of my salvation. To thee will I raise my voice, at this early hour. Blessed be thy name, that during the past night, I reposed in peace and safety beneath the shadow of thy wings, and that my body has been protected from all evil and all harm. Praised be the Lord every day, and praised be his name eternally. Thou makest one day after another of my life to appear and hasten away; may I be diligent in preparing for eternity, and give thee my soul as thy birthright and thy habitation. Thou hast created me for eternal life, and it is not thy will that I should be lost, but that I should repent and live: therefore grant that this day also may be spent in working out my own salvation with fear and trembling. I am now in the middle of another week; may I reach its end in safety. Should I be called to walk in the midst of trials and anguish, then do thou support and comfort me; if mine enemies surround me, do thou stand in the midst and help me. Blessed Jesus! thou Mediator, take up thine abode in my heart, that I may run to thee for counsel in every trouble, and obtain help from thee. If God be for me, who can be against me? Be present with me in MORNING PRAYER FOR WEDNESDAY.

my daily business and occupation. In the fulness of faith I say it. Lord, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. Bless my sleep and my waking, bless my going and my standing still, bless me in all things, pour thy blessing upon me. Let me be blessed before thee, and do not take thy blessing from me. In all the avocations of life, let me often direct my heart to thee, and should its affections ever begin to entwine themselves around the perishing objects of this world, help me to tear them loose, and sink them, Father! into thy love, Jesus! into thy wounds, that they may not stray from thy fellowship, and may still be found there in the evening. If a struggle awaits me to-day, help me to overcome; if a sinful thought make its appearance in my heart, or a sinful word upon my lips, strengthen me that I may dismiss it by thy grace. To thee I commit myself, with all that I have and am. Bless the sick and afflicted, and let them see the light of thy grace in the midst of their sufferings. Lead me, O my God, and guide me,

That thy word may be fulfilled;

Stand from morn to night beside me,

My protector and my shield.

But in thee and thee alone,

Safety and content are known. Amen.

THE TRUE BELIEVER PRAYS TO GOD.