and should we scarcely offer a petition for ourselves ? Should the deposing of another from an earthly kingdom appear a judgment to be deprecated, and shall we not deprecate the loss of heaven for ourselves ? Verily, in neglecting to pray for ourselves, we not only sin against God, but grievously sin also against our own souls.]
Let me then address myself,
L To those who are in a state of careless indiffer- ence—
[Alas ! What a large proportion of every assembly does this comprise ! Wliat then shall I say unto you ? To Sa- muel, whose grief for Saul was inconsolable, God said, " How long wilt thou mourn for SauP?" But to you I must say, How long will ye refuse to mourn for yourselves ? Has not your impenitence continued long enough ? Many of you have sinned against God, not in one act only, but in the whole course of your lives ; and that, too, not in a way of partial obedience only, like Saul, but in direct and wilful disobe- dience. Will not ye, then, weep and pray ? Remember, I entreat you, that if you will not humble yourselves before God, you must be humbled ere long ; and if you will not weep now, you must ere long " weep, and wail, and gnash your teeth for ever" in that place where redemption can never come, nor one ray of hope can ever enter. I beseech you, Brethren, reflect on this ; and now, whilst the sentence that is gone forth against you may be reversed, cease not to cry unto your God for mercy day and night.]
2. To those who are desirous of obtaining mercy
from God —
[Great as was Samuel's interest with God, he could not prevail for Saul. But you have an Advocate, whose inter- cessions for you must of necessity prevail, if only you put your cause into his hands. This " Advocate is the Lord Jesus Christ, who is also the propitiation for your sins." To him St. John directs you : and, if you go to him, it is impossible that you should ever perish : for he has expressly said, " Him that Cometh unto me [ will in no wise cast out." To have a praying friend or minister is a great comfort to one who feels his need of mercy: but to have One who " ever liveth on pur- pose to make intercession for us," and " whom the Father heareth always," this is a comfort indeed. Commit then your cause. Brethren, into the Saviour's hands ; and you may rest assured, that, whatever judgments you may have merited at God's hands, " you shall never perish, but shall have eternal life."]
^ 1 Sam. XVI. 1.
298. J Saul's self-deceit. I,*
87