A Brighter Day Begins with His Word.

Baxter, Richard, 1615-1691 • SECTION 337

Part 337

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Dear brethren, we have been here feasted with the Son of God at his table, upon his flesh and blood, in preparation for the feast of endless glory. You have seen here represented, what sin deserveth, what Christ suffered, what wonderful love the God of infinite goodness hath expressed to us. You have had communion with the saints; you have renewed your covenant of faith, and thankful obedience unto Christ; you have received his renewed covenant of pardon, grace, and glory unto you. O carry hence the lively sense of these great and excellent things upon your hearts: you came not only to receive the mercy of an hour, but that which may spring up to endless joy: you came not only to do the duty of an hour, but to promise that which you must perform while you live on earth. Remember daily, especially when temptations to unbelief and sinful heaviness assault you, what pledges of love you here received; remember daily, especially when the flesh, the devil, or the world, would draw your hearts again from God, and temptations to sin are laid before you, what bonds God and your own consent have laid upon you. If you are penitent believers, you are now forgiven, and washed in the blood of Christ. O go your way, and sin no more: no more through wilfulness; and strive against your sins of weakness. Wallow no more in the mire, and return not to your vomit. Let the exceeding love of Christ constrain you, having such promises, to cleanse yourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God; and as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, to be zealous of good works, and show forth the praises of him that hath called you.

_Next sing part of the Hymn in metre, or some other fit Psalm of praise (as the Twenty-third, One Hundred and Sixteenth, One Hundred and Third, or One Hundredth, &c.) And conclude with this or the like Blessing:_

Now the God of peace, which brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work, to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.

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