Page:Some Reflections on the Importance of a Religious Life.djvu/9

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OF A RELIGIOUS LIFE.
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stripes we are healed.” He was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification: therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I intreat you in Christian love, to accept in simplicity these sacred truths with believing hearts. Bear in mind, at the same time, my dear younger friends, the comprehensive but solemn call of the Saviour of the world: “Repent ye and believe the Gospel.” When he sent forth his disciples, they preached that men should everywhere repent. “Repent ye, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” Come in faith unto the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world; hearing in mind his gracious promise, “Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out.” Take his yoke upon you, learn of him, then shall you find rest unto your souls. The evil propensities of the natural heart, the temptations and allurements of the devil, and the associates to whom some of you are exposed, powerfully attract many to the path of worldly enjoyment and pleasure. But be induced to believe, nay, are not some of you convinced by experience that it is so, that the burthen of sin is grievous? “The wages of sin is death;” “to be carnally minded is death;” death to the enjoyment of that life which is hid with Christ in God,