TRACTS FOR THE TIMES.
Father framed for thy enjoyment, so take and be thankful. Those who are but spurious born are forced to buy their possessions with silver; sons of perdition, willing slaves of mammon. But into thine hands he gives thine own." Thus speaks he to his true seed, to him who loves his Father, for whose sake he worketh still, to whom alone he pledges, that the earth shall be given as a lasting foundation, which is not promised to corruption: "For mine is all the earth;" it is thine, if thou receive thy God; and therefore Scripture proclaims as good tidings, to those who have believed, "The saints of the Lord shall inherit the glory of God, and his power."
"Hope in him," it is written, "all the assembly of the people; pour out your heart before him." He speaks to those who have newly turned from wickedness. He pities and fills them with righteousness. Trust, O mortal, in him who is both God and man; who suffered and is worshipped, even a living God. Ye servants, put your trust in him who was dead; yea, all men, trust in him who out of all men alone is God. Believe and receive salvation as your reward; seek out God, and your soul shall live. . . . . The most sublime philosophers could but guess, and speak darkly about wisdom, but the disciples of Christ have seen and proclaimed it. Nay, and Christ in all portions of him (so to say) is one and the same undivided; so that there is neither barbarian, Jew, nor Greek, male, nor female, but one new man refashioned by the Holy Ghost. . . . . I do but ask you to accept salvation. What does Christ desire, but freely to give you life? But who is he? The Word of truth, the builder of the inward temple, that God may dwell with men. Sanctify that temple; pleasures and comforts, leave them, as flowers of the day, to the wind, and to the fire. . . . . The Word of God shall guide thee, and the Holy Spirit settle thee in the peaceful dwelling of the heavens. There thou shalt enjoy the presence of the Christian's God, and be initiated in his holy mysteries. Come, O heathen reveller, lean not on thy thyrsus[1], bind not on thine ivy. Cast away thy turban, and thy fawnskin; put off folly. I will show to thee the Word of God, and
- ↑ A spear, or staff, surrounded with garlands of ivy and vine leaves, carried by the heathen revellers.
