from them :" on the contrary, " he will blot out their iniquities as a morning cloud," and " cast all their sins irrecoverably into the very depths of the sea" ]
2. That he will be gracious to their prayers — ■
[There is no want so great, but he will supply it; no concern so small, but he will take the charge of it, and order it for our good. We may go into his presence as to a loving- Father, assured, that " we may ask what we will, and it shall be done unto us." Even the sigh, " the cry, the very breathing " of desire will be understood by him, and come up with accept- ance before him*; and, as in David's case, our prayers shall be turned into songs of praise and thanksgiving ]
Address —
1. Beware of harbouring any secret lust —
[Sin is deceitful ; and our treacherous hearts are ever ready to put a favourable construction upon it. But God can discern it, under whatever garb it may be disguised, and by whatever name it may be distinguished. It may be amongst *' the things which are highly esteemed amongst men : but it will still be an abomination in the sight of God." It may be something as dear to us as a right eye, or as necessary, in our apprehension, as a right hand : but it must be put away, how- ever painful the separation may be : for, if it be spared and retained, it will destroy both body and soul in hell. I must entreat you, therefore, to examine carefully the state of your souls, and with the utmost diligence to " purge out the old leaven" that defiles them. The Jews were wont, at the time of the passover, to sweep their houses with incredible care, lest one atom of leaven should be left in any corner or recess : and this affords a good example to us in relation to our souls. Yet I would not have you rest satisfied with any endeavours of your own ; but beg of God to search and try you, and to see if there be any wicked way in you, and to lead you in the way everlasting: for, as a single leak will sink a ship, so a single lust, unmortified and unsubdued, will sink the soul into everlasting perdition. Oh, think with yoiu'selves, how awful it will be in the last day to cry unto your God, and not be heard! to stand imploring him, " Lord, Lord, open unto us ;" and to receive for answer that terrible sentence, " Depart from me, ye who wrought iniquity ! " May God avert from all of you this fearful doom ! and may you all be approved of him at last, as " Israelites indeed, in whom was no guile ! "]
2. Improve, while you may, the manifold grace of God —
t Lam. ill. 55, 56.