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  CONFORMITY TO GOD
  by David Brainerd
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Summary: The essence of religion is the soul's conformity to God, acting
above all selfish views, for His glory.

Topics: "Divine Love", "Spiritual Surrender"
Scripture References: Romans 8:29, Romans 12:2, Philippians 2:5, 1 Peter 1:15, 1 John 2:6

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DESCRIPTION
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David Brainerd preaches about the soul's conformity to God, emphasizing
the importance of loving God with a supreme love, acting above selfish
desires for His glory, and finding contentment in surrendering to the
divine will. He shares his personal experience of clarity of thought and
serenity of mind during illness, leading to a deeper understanding of
divine truths and the essence of religion.

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CONTENT
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"...conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn
among many brethren" (Rom. 8:29)

How I was, the first day or two of my illness, with regard to the
exercise of reason, I scarcely know; I believe I was somewhat shattered
with the violence of the fever, at times. But the third day of my
illness, and constantly afterwards for four or five weeks together, I
enjoyed as much serenity of mind, and clearness of thought, as perhaps I
ever did in my life. I think my mind never penetrated with so much ease
and freedom into divine things, as at this time. I never felt so capable
of demonstrating the truth of many important doctrines of the gospel as
now. And as I saw clearly the truth of those great doctrines, which are
justly styled the doctrines grace; so I saw with no less clearness, that
the essence of religion consisted in the soul's conformity to God, and
acting above all selfish views, for His glory, longing to be for Him, to
live to Him, and please and honor Him in all things. And this from a
clear view of His infinite excellency and worthiness in Himself to be
loved, adored, worshiped, and served by all intelligent creatures.

Thus I saw, that when a soul loves God with a supreme love, he there in
acts like the blessed God Himself, who most justly loves Himself in that
manner: So when God's interest and his are become one, and he longs that
God should be glorified and rejoices to think that He is unchangeably
possessed of the highest glory and blessedness, herein also he acts in
conformity to God. In like manner; when the soul is fully resigned to, I
and rests satisfied and contented with, the divine will, here it is also
conformed to God.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/david-brainerd/conformity-to-god/
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