Page:Some Reflections on the Importance of a Religious Life.djvu/31

 self-love. But it is the office of the Holy Spirit to show unto man his secret sins, and to enable him to subdue them. The sufficiency of divine grace for the cleansing of the soul from its ever-varying forms of pollution, is to me a striking evidence of its divine nature. What a blessing it is to know that we have this almighty helper, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth. Follow the leadings of this heavenly guide: accept with grateful and obedient hearts the convictions for sin, which are mercifully granted; then may you rest upon the assurance uttered by our ever present Saviour: “He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

Prayer is an individual duty: thus to draw nigh unto God is one of the greatest privileges which a Christian enjoys. Avail yourselves of it in filial trust and reverent fear. Pour out your souls in secret humble supplication, in the name of Jesus Christ, unto the Father of mercies. Confess your sins unto him, remembering that if we do so, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.

Be encouraged to look towards the first day of the week as a day of rest, as a day more especially set apart for spiritual improvement, for communion with the Father and with the Son. Let your arrangements be such as that the day may be passed to the greatest profit. Let