t be vowed. Thus, the
sin that doth most easily beset is to be laid aside; thus, the purity of
heart and life that adorns the Christian is to be assumed. "Let not sin
therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts
thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness
unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from
the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto
God."[246]

The cultivation of the various powers of the soul. When these are
directed to good objects, and are wisely employed, they are healthfully
expanded, and rendered capable of enlarged application for good. It is
the bounden duty of men, gifted with such a precious boon, to improve
it. "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of
life." The heart, in the Scriptures, means, in addition to the bodily
organ known by that name, the soul; the seat of the various affections;
the understanding; the seat of the will: and it has attributed to it the
functions of an active, voluntary intelligence, and accordingly, the
faculty of conscience approving or reproving, as the case may be. The
injunction, "My son, give me thine heart," claims the surrender of all
these to God, not in an enfeebled and inactive state, but in their
utmost; vigour; and demands the promise, by vow, that; they shall be so
called into dutiful operation as that they may become efficient. It is
obeyed when there are used, the words of the Psalmist's engagement, "I
will love thee, O Lord, my strength."[247] It is bowed to where any
other like noble application of the intellectual or moral faculties is
vowed; and is honoured when that purity of heart, which cannot be
attained to without the direction of the exercises thereof to God, is
aspired at in the act of drawing nigh unto him in Covenanting. "Draw
nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye
sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded."[248]

The proper application of every capacity. Each is given that it may be
employed. The gift demands the voluntary use of it for the end intended;
and the Giver requires that the gift be consecrated to him. By setting
every attainment, whether natural or acquired, apart to his service, all
are called to glorify God with their bodies and spirits, which are his.
Without making thus a resolution to serve Him by the legitimate use of
every capacity, there cannot fail to be incurre