Page:Some Reflections on the Importance of a Religious Life.djvu/8

4 restore himself into the Divine favour; that without purity and holiness, without a thorough change of heart and of the affections, without a death unto sin and a new birth unto righteousness, you cannot in this life enjoy that real, substantial peace which comes by our Lord Jesus Christ, nor hereafter partake of the joys which are to be bestowed on the righteous.

The Lord Jesus Christ declared himself to be the way, the truth, and the life; that no man cometh unto the Father but by him. He further said, “No man can come to me, except the Father, who hath sent me, draw him.” The drawings of this infinite love are afforded through the operation of the Holy Spirit on the human mind, convincing of sin and attracting the soul unto Christ. How inexpressibly important then is it, that the gentlest influence of this heavenly visitant be followed; that we accept the offered reconciliation, through that blessed and all-sufficient Redeemer, whom God in his perfect wisdom and love hath provided. “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Our blessed Saviour bare our sins in his own body upon the tree: “he was wounded for our transgressions: he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him: and with his