2 Corinthians 1:24

REFLECTIONS

READER! let you and I seek for grace to do as Paul did; and, looking up with holy faith and love, to a Covenant God in Christ, bless the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and hail him, as the Father of mercies, and God of all comfort! And oh! how sweet the thought to my soul, that as a Father of mercies, he can, and will beget mercies for me, suited to my wants, and to his glory. I shall have pardoning mercy, and renewing mercy, and refreshing mercy, yea, every mercy, to help in every time of need; for my God can supply all my need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. And, he will not only be my Covenant-God, and Father in mercy; but the God of all comfort. Who then shall want comfort, who hath God for their portion? And who shall question divine love and faithfulness, when God hath given all mercy, and all comfort in his dear Son? Oh! for grace to be everlastingly reading, and enjoying the inscription of the cross: He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all; how shall he not with him, freely give us all things?

Precious Lord Jesus! the Amen! the faithful, and true witness! Oh! how blessed, and delightful to my soul's joy, that the blessings in thee, and from thee, are not at a yea, and nay uncertainty; but all the promises in thee, are yea, and in thee Amen. Lord grant, that in thee, the testimony of my conscience may be in simplicity and godly sincerity; and that I may thus have my conversation in the world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of thy great day, when I shall see thee as thou art, and dwell with thee forever.

And oh! Almighty Spirit! do thou establish me, and anoint me, and seal me, to the day of redemption; that I may have the earnest of the Spirit in my heart!