subordinated to that. Other duties, doubtless, should be per- formed in their place : but to obtain God's favour should be our first concern ; and life itself, in comparison of that, should be of no value in our eyes.]
Address —
[God calls you now, my Brethren, by my voice ; and says to every one of you, " Seek ye my face." O that ye knew the day of your visitation ! O that ye now \iewed this mercy as ye will most unquestionably view it ere long ! For, whether ye be in heaven or in hell, be assured that the divine favour will appear to you no light concern. I would that now the Psalmist's determination were adopted by every one of you. Tell me, I pray you, whether the resolution be not wise : tell me whether it be not necessary: tell me whether, if ye con- tinue to decline God's invitation till the door of heaven is finally closed against you, you will not curse your folly with an anguish that will exceed your utmost conceptions, and bewail to all eternity the conduct you now pursue. I say, then, to every one of you, " Seek ye after God : seek him instantly, without delay: seek him whilst he may be found, and call upon him whilst he is near:" for the time is quickly coming when your day of grace shall be closed, and " God will swear in his wrath that ye shall never enter into his rest." On the other hand, assure yourselves, that, " if you seek him, he wdll be found of you," and " your hearts shall live for ever." Let every one of you, therefore, now go home, and put the matter to a trial. See whether God will not be gracious unto you : see whether he will not answer your prayers, and fulfil 3'our desires, and " do exceeding abundantly for you above all that ye can ask or think. I speak with confidence ; for, from the beginning of the world to this hour. " He never said to any. Seek ye my face in vain ! "]