and experience : and people have an easy way of setting both these aside. The words of Scripture are represented as high Eastern metaphors : and the experience of the primitive saints is supposed to be coiitined to tlie earlier ages of the C hurch. And with respect to the experience of Hving saints, that is derided as enthu'siasm. But there is a blessedness in communion with God, whether man will admit it or not. To the ungodly it is an irksome task to approach God ; but to the godly it is their chief joy. The Psalmist justly says, " Blessed is the man, O Lord, whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee^." But how shall we describe this blessedness ? How shall we paint the lowly self-abasing thoughts which lead a man to prostrate himself in the very dust before God ? How shall we express the wonder and admiration with which he is filled, when he contemplates the goodness of God towards him ? Hovv shall we declare the ardour of his feelings when he is adoring that Saviour who bought him with his blood ? We do not say, that any man feels at all times the same rapturous and exalted joys ; but we do say, that the joys of those who live nigh to God are at some seasons " un- speakable and full of glory''," an earnest and foretaste of heaven itself.]
2. There is nothing so profitable —
[Not to mention the pardon and acceptance which flow from communion with God, it is certain that it will restrain from sin. The presence of a fellow-creature, yea, even of a child, will restrain men from the commission of crimes, which in secret they would perpetrate without remorse. How much more then would a consciousness of God's presence awe us, if we felt it as we ought ' ! The falls and apostacies of those who profess religion always originate from, or are preceded by, a secret departure of the heart from God.
It will also console us in trouble. David, both on this and many other occasions, found prayer the best means of composing his spirit when it was harassed by temptations or persecutions'". And did any one ever apply this remedy in vain ? When we have complained to man only, we have felt the pressure of our burthens still, and groaned under them as much as ever : but when we have carried our complaints to God, we have almost invariably had our murmurs silenced, our agitations tran(|uillized, our spirits comforted. God has fulfilled to us his promise, " Call upon me in the time of trouble, and I will hear thee, and thou shalt glorify me'."
It w\\\moxeovcv strengthen vs for duty. We should not so often faint in the way of duty, if we waited more constantly
upon
^ Ps. Ixiv. 5. '' ] Pet. i. 5. ' Ps. iv. 4.
ver. 3, 13, 17 . See also Ps. Ixix, 17, JS. & cxvi. 3—5. » Ps. 1. 15.