Page:Sermons preached in the African Protestant Episcopal Church of St. Thomas', Philadelphia.djvu/229

Rh economy of grace God the Father draws man: he draws him by the cords of love, he sheds light into his mind, and discovers unto him his wretched condition; he shows him the great provision his love has made for his salvation, he directs him to look to the Lamb he has appointed to take away the sins of the world. And whenever the penitent in obedience yields to this drawing, and centres all his hopes in Him who gave himself a ransom for all, then to such an one the promise in the text is verified. The Lord in his mercy draws nigh to that soul. 1. He draws nigh to impart a comfortable sense of pardon and reconciliation. He sheds abroad m the believing heart a peace that the world cannot give; a peace that passeth all understanding. "The Spirit itself" says St. Paul, "beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children