Hope is the only effectual stay amidst the mental- sent state. . Our service of God is feeble-it shall be full of vigour! 189 And this Hope is an humble and a sanctifying one. 193 Springing from dependence on the work of Christ. 194 And maintained by cherishing the Spirit of Christ. 196 THE NOURISHMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. CHAP. I.-THE NECESSITY OF DEVOTIONAL EXERCISES. For this spirit is a heavenly Spirit, and therefore tends This we see in our Lord. And in his Disciples. And of which, Adoration is the result. SECT. II.-DEVOTIONAL READING. Social Fellowship is essential to the nourishment Such Fellowship'is not supplied by the ordinary in- But it is provided in the Church of Christ. Which was formed for this purpose by our Lord. And communion with which is urged on every Chris- Cultivate, therefore, Christian Fellowship in the And in the Public Congregation. CHAP. III.-DEVOUT EXERCISES OF HEART. The Christian is privileged to refer up to God all Regarding his trials as God's appointment. And his comforts as God's gifts. And waiting upon God in both. To lay before God all his fears and hopes.. And to commend himself universally into the hands CHAP. IV.-DEVOUT EXERCISES OF WILL. Devotion influences the Will by settling our Judg- For it considers things, under God's eye. And by strengthening our Determination for what PART I. THE ESSENCE OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. Though Christ be the Head, yet is the Holy Ghost the Heart of the Church, from whence the vital spirits of grace and holiness are issued out, unto the quickening of the body mystical. HEYLYN. In the powers and faculties of our souls God requireth the uttermost which our unfeigned affection toward him is able to yield; so that if we affect him not far above and before all things, our religion hath not that inward perfection which it should have, neither do we indeed worship him as our God. HOOKER. As divine knowledge begets affection, so this affection will bring forth action, real obedience. For these three are inseparably linked, and each dependent on, and the product of, one another. The affection is not blind but flowing from knowledge; nor actual obedience constrained, but flowing from affection; and the affection is not idle, seeing it brings forth obedience, nor knowledge dead, seeing it begets affection. LEIGHTON ON 1 PETER IV. 2. PART I. THE ESSENCE OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. CHAPTER I. PIETY IN GENERAL. WE can never remind ourselves too often of the fact that Christianity is a remedy for human need ; that its leading Idea is Deliverance from all the ills of a groaning world, and its distinctive proclamation is peace ;-peace to them that are near and to them that are afar off. This grand characteristic is beautifully exhibited in the very title which is given to it in the Irish tongue, in which our term "The Gospel" is translated "The Story of Peace;" and it is touchingly expressed by St. Augustine when he says, "In Cicero and Plato I meet with many things wisely said, and things that have a manifest tendency to move the passions, but in none of them do I find these words, 'Come unto me all ye that |