When the soul feels itself unable to persevere with delight in duty, when it finds itself faint in the worship of God &c, then it will be led by the Spirit of Christ to take hold of Him , by faith, for that grace and strength of which it stands in need ; and having done so, it not only hopes for,but at length actually feels, that strength,for the obtaining of which its faith was exercised .. The soul then finds itself inspired with new vigour; it is enabled to pour itself out into the bosom of God , and to delight exceedingly in him ; it then delights to his service unweariedly . Thus it is healed of its infirmities.
Hosea 4:6. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge
In a short time there will (we have reason to fear) remain but two kinds of persons among us, either those who think not at all, or those whose imaginations are active indeed, but continually evil. Of these latter it may be said, "Their foolish heart was darkened." Of the principles, I do not say of the detail, of political science, a sound theology is the only sure and steady basis. Now we trace the operations by which a destruction so extended in its consequences has been effected. The master-spring of every principle which can permanently secure the stability of a people is the fear and knowledge of Almighty God. The first operation of a principle of atheism, and perhaps one of the most formidable in its consequences, is that which leads political men to conceive of Christianity as a mere auxiliary to the State. Religion was not instituted (in the Divine council I mean) for the purpose of society and government, but society and government for the purposes of religion. As a...
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