wilt shew thyself upright, and merciful, and pure ; but with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward," or, as it is in the margin, " thou wilt ivrestle." " Thou wilt save the afflicted people (i.e. the humble) ; but thou wilt bring doun high looks"." If we walk uprightly and circuujspcctly before him, and in an bumble dependance on his grace, there is not any thing which he will not do for us : but, " if we regard iniquity in our hearts, he will not hear us." Inquire then whether you are really " keeping the ways of the Lord," and are " keeping yourselves from your iniquity," that is, from the peculiar sin to which, by constitu- tion, by habit, or by your situation in life, you are most ex- posed^. I charge you before God, that you all make this a matter of serious inquiry. The " besetting sin," ah ! it is that which separates between God and our souls ; it is that which " keeps good things from us." How many are there, who, whilst they make a profession of religion, are yet, by their un- mortified lusts, or worldly desires, or slothful habits, or by some habitual evil, provoking God to depart from them! Beware lest it be so with you ; and " grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." You may grieve him, till you altogether "(juench" his sacred mo- tions. We intreat you to be upon your guard against this so fatal an evil. " Keep your hearts with all diligence :" yea, " give all diligence to make your calling and election sure." Then shall God delight himself in you, and be not only your pre- sent portion, " but your everlasting great Reward."]
"" ver, 25 — 27. ^ ver. 21 — 23.