The Fourth of September.

REPENT YE, AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL --- Mark 1:15.

"Repent ye, and believe the gospel." --- Mark 1:15.

Repentance, or godly sorrow for sin, is the doctrine of the gospel; this is absolutely necessary to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and a life of union and communion with him. O reader, the Baptist calls thee to repent: Jesus calls thee to repent: the God of heaven and earth calls thee to repent: and without it thou wilt perish eternally in the flames of hell.

Canst thou not give thyself the grace of repentance? Thou canst not. Oh then pray and cry to the blessed Jesus, that his Holy Spirit may produce this saving grace in thee. Pray to him that he would give thee a living, justifying faith in his blood and righteousness, and that thy heart may be filled with real sorrow for sin, with holy indignation against it, and with a sincere and active departing from it. pray that you may walk by faith, and not by sight, as seeing Him continually who, to the natural eye, is invisible.

Mistaken souls! that dream of heaven,
And make their empty boast
Of inward joys, and sins forgiven,
While they are slaves to lust.

Vain are our fancies, airy flights,
If faith be cold and dead;
None but a living power unites
To Christ the living head.

'Tis faith that purifies the heart;
'Tis faith that works by love;
That bids our sins and lusts depart,
And lifts our souls above.

Devotion for September 4