FRIDAY MEDITATIONS. PENITENCE. Luke xviii. 3. The Publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes to Heaven; but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me, a sinner. WHAT THAT would become of me, if Thou, on me? When I seriously consider these dreadful truths, that all they are accursed, who do err and go astray from thy commandments; that the unprofitable servant was cast into outer darkness; when I think of these things, I cannot but fear for myself, and tremble to think of the account I have to give. Isaiah Ixvi. 2. To this man will I look, even to him, that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. Psa. xxxiv. 18. The Lord is nigh unto them, that are of a contrite heart; and will save such, as be of a humble spirit. Look upon me, gracious Lord, with an eye of mercy. :: Psa. xxv, 25. For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquities, for they are great. My only comfort is, they are not too great for thy mercy; and the Lord Jesus, our advo cate, has assured us even with an oath, that all sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men. That is, if with hearty repentance and true faith they turn unto God. O most powerful Advocate, I put my cause into thy hands; let it be unto thy servant according to this word; let thy blood and merits plead for my pardon; say unto me, as Thou didst unto the penitent in thy gospel, thy sins are forgiven; and grant that I may live to bring forth fruits, meet for repentance. Matth. vi. 14. If ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive your trespasses. Even the power to perform this most kind condition must be from thy grace, O Jesus; and I trust Thou wilt grant me this grace, because the very will to ask it is from Thee, and from thy will, which wills nothing in vain. Perfect therefore, O my Saviour, the work, which thou hast begun in me; and let me feel the effects of thy grace in the constancy of my devotions, in care of my soul, in a faithful discharge of my duty, and in all those acts of righteousness, piety, and charity, by which I shall be judged at the last day. John v. 14. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. Make me, O Lord, ever mindful of my infirmities and, backslidings, that I may be more watchful, and more importunate for grace in time to come. 1. 1. 93, bes Matth. v. 7. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Give me, O Lord, true compassion for the wants and miseries of others, that Thou mayest have compassion upon me. Luke xv. 10. There is joy in the presence of God over one sinner, that repenteth. Lord, increase the number of penitents, and the joys of Heaven, by delivering me and all sinners from the power of the devil, and by vouchsafing us the grace of true conversion. Matth. v. 4. Blessed are they, that mourn, for they shall be comforted. O Lord, grant that I may seek comfort, not in the things of this world, but by sincere repentance for my sins, by which God is dishonored, and his judgments hang over my head. Luke xix. 10. The Son of man is come to seek and to save that, which was lost. O comfortable words for lost sinners; God himself seeks to save them. O Thou, who sought me, when I was astray, save me for thy mercy's sake; and preserve that, which Thou hast sought and found. Matth. ix. 28. Come unto me, all ye, that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. -O Jesus, conduct me to thyself, or I shall surely miss the way. Phil. ii. 12. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God, that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. It was not in myself, O God, to begin the work of my conversion; finish, I beseech Thee, what Thou hast begun in me. May I close with thy grace, and persevere unto my life's end. Micah vii. 18. God retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth in mercy. Ezra ix. 15. O Lord God, behold, we are before thee in our trespasses; we cannot stand before thee for this. Numb. xiv. 19. Pardon, I beseech Thee, the iniquity of thy servant, according to the greatness of thy mercy. O say unto me, as thou didst unto Moses, I have pardoned thee. Ezek. xviii. 22. All his iniquites, that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him. Lord, be merciful unto us, for we have sinned in the midst of light, and even against light; in contempt of the grace, we have re ceived. 1 John i. 9. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. These are comfortable words to one, whom the sight of his sins has cast into a dread of the judgments of God. Both that dread, and the hatred of sin, and the dependance upon the promise of God, and the love, which that pro duces in the soul, are owing entirely to the blood of Jesus Christ. 2 Sam. ix. 8. What is thy servant, that thou shouldst look upon such a dead dog, as I am. My only support is, that my sins have not put me out of the reach of that mercy, which is infinite. Who can understand his errors? O cleanse Thou me from my secret faults. O Lord, be favorable unto me; pardon and deliver me from all my sins. Grant that my sins may never rise up in judg ment against me, nor bring shame and confusion of face upon me. My soul truly waiteth still upon God, for of him cometh my salvation. John vi. 20. It is I, be not afraid. Lord Jesus, in all the troubles, that may be fal me, speak these comfortable words to my soul, It is I, be not afraid; and then I shall be secure both from presumption and despair. John viii. 24. If ye believe not that I am he, (that is, the Messiah, the Son of God) ye shall die in your sins. O Jesus, the only refuge of sinners, does the world know, what it is to die in sin? I believe; Lord, increase my faith, and deliver us all from the dreadful state of final impenitency. 31. If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed. 51. If a man keep my saying, he shall nev er see death. |