rely, you need not fear though earth and hell should be com- bined agamst you^.]
2. Those who are entire strangers to disquietude and dejection —
[We are far from congratulating you on your exemption from such feelings as these. On the contrary, we would pro- pose to you, in reference to that exemptio7i, the very same things as we recommended to others in reference to their distresses.
First, inquire into the reason of your never having experienced such feelings. " Why art thou not cast down, O my soul ? and why art thou not disquieted within me?" Does it not proceed from an ignorance of your own state, and from an unconcern about that account which you must soon give of yourself at the judgment-seat of Christ ?
Next, expostulate with yourself; " O my soul, why art thou thus callous and insensible ? Will not thy contempt of God's
judgments issue in thy ruin ? It must not, it shall not
be : thou hast neglected thine eternal interests long enough : thou shalt, God helping thee, bend thine attention to them from this time : for if thou be summoned before thy God in thy present state, it had been better for me that I had never been born."
But you also, no less than the disconsolate, vcmsifo^ind your hopes on God. All your expectation must be from Him, " with whom there is mercy and plenteous redemption." If you will but turn to him in earnest, you have nothing to fear : for his word to vou is, " Let the wicked forsake his wav, and the unrighteous man his thoughts ; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him ; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."]
g Ps. xi. 1, 4. and xxvii. 1, 3. and cxxv. 1.