not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.”
Most gracious and most encouraging words of love! May they serve to stir up the gift that is in me. O if I should gain this prize, if I should ever tread the courts of the kingdom of heaven, if I should save any souls from death, and present them before Thee with great joy, what account shall I make of all my labours, self-denials, watchings, sacrifices of ease and worldly tastes? surely “the loss of all things” is “as dung,” if I can but gain Thee and behold Thee for ever. Lead me forth, O Lord; I desire this prize; help me to contend for it, and to attain it; send Thy Holy Ghost to comfort and to strengthen me. I am Thine; I would be Thine in this life and for ever; keep me under the shadow of thy wings; draw up my soul towards Thee; increase my faith, my hope, my charity; knit my heart unto Thee, and make me a faithful shepherd of Thy sheep, that I may at last see Thy glory, and partake of it with all angels and saints, through Thine own most precious blood.
