156. The Soul alarmed by these Views, Chap. 16. tice is preparing for them; and it would have been better for them, not to have known the Way of Righteousness, than after having known it, to turn aside from the holy Commandment (u). But I would, by Divine Grace, hope better Things of you (x). And I make it my hearty Prayer for you, my Reader, that you may be kept by the mighty Power of GOD, kept as in a Garrison, on all Sides fortified, in the securest Manner, through Faith unto Salvation (y). The Soul alarmed by a Sense of these Difficulties, committing itself to Divine Protection. B LESSED Gon, it is to Thine Almighty Power "that I flee. Behold me surrounded with Dif. "ficulties and Dangers, and stretch out Thine Omni"potent Arm to save me; Oh Thou that savest by Thy "Right Hand them that put their Trust in Thee, from "those that rise up against them (z). This Day do I "solemnly put myself under Thy Protection: Exert Thy Power in my Favour, and permit me to make the "Shadow of Thy Wings my Refuge (a)! Let Thy Grace "be sufficient for me, and Thy Strength be made perfect "in my Weakness (b). I dare not say, I will never "forsake Thee; I will never deny Thee (c): But I hope, "I can truly say, O Lord, I would not do it; and that "according to my present Apprehension and Purpose, "Death would appear to me much less terrible, than in any wilful and deliberate Instance to offend Thee. "Oh root out those Corruptions from my Heart, which in an Hour of pressing Temptation might incline me "to view Things in a different Light, and so might be"tray me into the Hands of the Enemy! Strengthen "my Faith, Lord, and encourage my Hope! Inspire me with an heroic Resolution in opposing every "Thing that lies in my Way to Heaven; and let me cc set my Face like a Flint (d), against all the Assaults of "Earth and Hell! If Sinners entice me, let me not con-“ sent (e); if they insult me, let me not regard it; if ́ they (u) 2 Pet. ii. 21. (z) Psal. xvii. T. (c) Mark xiv. 31. Chap. 16. commits itself to GOD in Prayer. 157 "they threaten me, *let me not fear! Rather may a holy ❝and ardent, yet prudent and well-governed Zeal, take "Occasion from that Malignity of Heart which they "discover, to attempt their Reformation! At least, "let me never be ashamed to plead Thy Cause against "the most profane deriders of Religion! Make me to "hear Joy and Gladness in my Soul; and I will "endeavour to teach Transgressors Thy Ways, that "Sinners may be converted unto Thee (f)! Yea, Lord, "while my Fears continue, though I should apprehend "myself condemned, I am condemned so righteously "for my own Folly, that I would be Thine Advocate, "though against myself. "Keep me, O Lord, now, and at all Times! Never "let me think, whatever Age or Station I attain, that "I am strong enough to maintain the Combat without "Thee! Nor let me imagine myself, even in this In. fancy of Religion in my Soul, so weak, that Thou ❝ canst not support me! Wherever Thou leadest me, "there let me follow; and whatever Station Thou ap pointest me, there let me maintain the holy War k against all the Enemies of my Salvation, and rather "fall in it than basely abandon it, "And Thou, O glorious Redeemer, the Captain of my "Salvation, the great Author and Finisher of my Faith 66 (g), when I am in danger of denying Thee, as Peter "did, look upon me with that Mixture of Majesty and "Tenderness (h), which may either secure me from fall"ing, or may speedily recover me to Gon and my Duty "again! And teach me to take occasion, even from my "Miscarriages, to humble myself more deeply for all that has been amiss, and to redouble my future Diligence ❝and Caution! Amen!" (f) Psal. li. 8, 13, Heb. xii. 2. (h) Luke xxii, 61, M CHAP. 158 The Soul is urged to surrender itself, Chap. 17. CHAP. XVII. The CHRISTIAN urged to, and assisted in an express Act of SELF-DEDICATION to the Service of GOD. The Advantages of such a Surrender are briefly suggested. §. 1. Advice for the Manner of doing it; that it be deliberate, cheerful, entire, perpetual; §. 2, 3, 4. And that it be expressed with some affecting Solemnity. §. 5. A written Instrument to be signed and declared before GOD at some Season of extraordinary Devotion, pro ̈posed. §. 6, 7. · The Chapter concludes with a Specimen of such an Instrument, together with an Abstract of it, to be used with proper and requisite Alterations. §. 1. ∙A S I would hope, that notwithstanding all the Views of Opposition which do or may arise,, yet in Consideration of those noble Supports and Motives which have been mentioned in the Two preceding Chapters, you are heartily determined for the Service of God, I would now urge you to make a solemn Surrender of yourself unto it. Do not only form such a Purpose in your Heart, but expressly declare it in the Divine Presence. Such Solemnity in the Manner of doing it, is certainly very reasonable in the Nature of Things and sure it is highly expedient, for binding to the Lord such a treach erous Heart, as we know our own to be. It will be pleasant to reflect upon it, as done at such and such a Time, with such and such Circumstances of Place and Method, which may serve to strike the Memory and the Conscience. The Sense of the Vows of GOD which are upon you, will strengthen you in an Hour of Temptation; : and Chap. 17. by an express Act to the Service of GOD. 159 and the Recollection may also encourage your humble Boldness and Freedom in applying to Him, under the Character and Relation of your Covenant GOD and Father, as future Exigencies may require. §. 2. Do it therefore, but do it deliberately. Consider what it is that you are to do: And consider how reason. able it is that it should be done, and done cordially and cheerfully: not by constraint, but willingly (a): For in this Sense, and in every other, God loves a cheerful Giver (b)... Now surely there is nothing we should do with greater Cheerfulness or more cordial Consent, than making such a Surrender of ourselves to the LORD; to the God who created us, who brought us into this pleasant and well furnished World, who supported us in our tender Infancy, who guarded us in the thoughtless Days of Childhood and Youth, who has hitherto continually helped, sustained, and preserved us. Nothing can be more reasonable than that we should acknowledge Him as our right ful Owner and our Sovereign Ruler; than that we should devote ourselves to Him, as our most gracious Bene-. factor, and seek Him as our supreme Felicity. No. thing can be more apparently equitable, that that we, the Product of His Power, and the Price of His Son's Blood, should be His, and His for ever. If you see the Matter in its just View, it will be the Grief of your Soul, that you have ever alienated yourself from the blessed GoD and His Service; so far will you be from wishing to continue in that State of Alienation another Year or another Day, you will rejoice to bring back to Him His revolted Creature; and as you have ave in Times past yielded your Members as Instruments of Unrighteousness unto Sin, you will delight to yield yourselves unto GOD, as alive from the Dead, and to employ your Members as Instruments of Righteousness unto GOD (c), §. 3. The Surrender will also be as entire, as it is cheerful and immediate. All you are, and all you have, and all you can do, your Time, your Possessions, your Influence over others, will be devoted to Him, that for the future it may be employed entirely for Him, and to His Glory. You will desire to keep back nothing from Him; but will seriously judge, that you are then in the M 2 (a) I Pet. v. 2. (b) 2 Cor. ix. 7. truest (c) Róm. vi, 13, 160 It may be expedient to do it in Writing. Chap. 17. truest and noblest Sense your own, when you are most entirely Ilis. You are also on this great Occasion, to resign all that you have to the Disposal of His wise and gracious Providence; not only owning His Power, but consenting to His undoubted Right, to do what He pleases with you, and all that He has given you; and declaring a hearty Approbation of all that He has done, and of all that He may farther do. §. 4. Once more, let me remind you, that this Sur render must be perpetual. You must give yourself up to GOD in such a Manner, as never more to pretend to be your own: For the Rights of GoD are, like His Nature, Eternal and Immutable; and with Regard to His Rational Creatures, are the same Yesterday, To Day, and for ever. §. 5. I would farther advise and urge, that this Dedication may be made with all possible Solemnity. Do it in express Words. And perhaps it may be în many Cases most expedient, as many pious Divines have recommended, to do it in Writing. Set your Hand and Seal, to it, "that on such a Day of such a Month and Year, and at such a Place, on full Consideration and serious Reflec "tion, you came to this happy Resolution, that whatever "others might do, you would serve the Lord (d).” §. 6. Such an Instrument, you may, if you please, draw up for yourself; or if you rather chuse to have it drawn up to your Hand, you may find something of this nature below, in which you may easily make such Alterations as shall suit your Circumstances, where there is any Thing peculiar in them. But whatever you use, weigh it well, meditate attentively upon it, that you may not be rash with your Mouth to utter any Thing before GOD (e).“ And when you determine to execute this Instrument, let the Transaction be attended with some more than ordi nary religious Retirement. Make it, if you conveniently can, a Day of secret Fasting and Prayer: And when your Heart is prepared with a becoming Awe of the Djvine Majesty, with an humble Confidence in Ilis Goodness, and an earnest Desire of His Favour, then present yourself on your Knees before GOD, and read it over deliberately and solemnly; and when you have signed it, lay it by in some secure Place, where you may review it whenever |