Psalms 86:11 - Homilies By S. Conway

True religion, and what it calls for.

I. THE ESSENCE OF ALL TRUE RELIGION IS THE FEAR OF GOD . "To fear thy Name," says the psalmist, and so saying he sets forth the central nature of real religion. But this fear

II. THERE CAN BE NO SUCH RELIGION UNLESS THE HEART BE IN IT . Intellect may be there, Reason give her assent. Approval may be expressed—it often is. Deep feeling experienced, this not unusual; but unless the heart, the will—for this is the real meaning of the word "heart"—be in our religion, we practically have none.

III. NOR THEN UNLESS THE HEART BE UNITED IN IT , Some minds are not fixed on anything; they are perpetual waverers. Others are fixed, set, wrongly but "steadfastly to do evil." But they are blessed who are described in our text. Oh to be able to say, "O God, my heart is fixed, my heart is fixed"!—S.C.