The Seventh of February.THINE IS THE KINGDOM . . . --- Matthew 6:13."Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, Amen." --- Matthew 6:13. "They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power." --- Revelations 4:10, 11. One that is really poor in spirit, though he hath practised the duty of a Christian life ever so long, and ever so diligently, always thinks himself to have received but a little portion of Christ, and the work of sanctification hardly to be begun in his soul. So far is he from believing he has already attained it, that, after all his best actions, he counts himself not worthy to be called by the name of a grateful son; he is never pleased with himself. No degree of holiness will satisfy his soul. He seeks and finds no rest or comfort but in the infinite mercy of God, and in the pardon of his sins by faith, though he does not divide Christ, but receives him in all his offices, and gives himself entirely up to him without reserve, to be more and more sanctified and perfected; and in this state he is safe indeed; he is prepared for death, and has no reason to be anxiously afraid, though earnestly desirous of higher degrees of sanctification.
The kingdom is thine, we proclaim, |