It will moreover strengthen us for duty. We should not so often faint in the way of duty, if we waited more constantly upon our God. He " would renew our strength as the eagle's0:" he would " give us more grace p," even " grace sufficient for us." However weak we are in ourselves, we should be " able to do all things through the strength which he would impart unto us q." By drawing nigh to God, our humility is increased, our faith invigorated, our hope quickened, our love inflamed, and the whole work of grace advanced in our souls.
Lastly, it will prepare us for glory. Nothing transforms us into the Divine image so much as communion with God. When Moses continued with God for a season upon the holy mount, his face contracted a radiance which was visible to all who beheld him. And, though no bright effulgence will now adorn the countenances of those who live nigh to God, yet a glory will shine around their paths, a lustre which will compel others to " take notice of them, that they have been with Jesus r." By "beholding his glory they will be changed into the same image s," and be progressively fitted to " see him as he is *."]
Address —
1. Those who never draw near to God at all —
[How many are there of this description ! You rather say to him in your hearts, " Depart from usu :" and, in so doing, you pass sentence upon yourselves : you even inflict on your- selves, by anticipation, the punishment prepared for youx. God assures you, that " all who are far from him shall perish y." O that you might tremble at the denunciations of his wrath, and not bring upon yourselves the bitter experience of it in the eternal world !]
2. Those who draw nigh to him, but only in a formal manner —
[Your state is as dangerous and deplorable as if you lived ever so far from God : for it is to no purpose to " draw nigh to him with your lips, while your hearts are far from him2." " Bodily exercise profiteth nothing*:" you must have " the power of godliness as well as the formV " God is a Spirit: and, if you do not worship him in spirit and in truth0," your service is a mockery, and your hope a delusion. Be in earnest therefore in your walk with God : for as your formal duties,
0 Isai. xl. 31. p Jam. iv. 6. « Phil. iv. 13.
r Acts iv. 13. s 2 Cor. iii. 18. t 1 John iii. 2.
u Joh xxi. 14. x Matt. xxv. 41. y ver. 27.
z Matt. xv. 8, 9. a 1 Tim. iv. 8. b 2 Tim. iii. 5. c John iv. 24.
628.] god's interest in his people. 23
whether in the Church or closet, bring with them neither pleasure nor profit, so will they ultimately deceive you to your ruin. On the contrary, if you really draw nigh to God, and " stir up yourselves to lay hold of him," he will draw nigh to you, and load you with his richest benefits d."]
3. Those who find their happiness in communion with God —
[This is the character of all the saints : " they are a people nigh unto Gode:" " truly their fellowship is with God, and with his Son Jesus Christ f." It is true, that there is no merit in this ; and it arises only from the grace of God, which effect- ually worketh in them : nevertheless God admires and applauds their conduct : viewing them with a kind of rapture and sur- prise, he says, " Who is this that hath engaged his heart to approach unto meg ?" Happy, happy are the people who can say, " Lord, it is I," " Lord, it is I." Continue then and increase your diligence in walking with God. Then you shall not only say now, " It is good for me to draw nigh to God ; " but you shall one day add with ten-fold emphasis, " It is good for me to have drawn nigh to God : " yes ; if now you can look back upon your seasons of communion with God as the best and happiest hours of your life, much more shall you, when your intercourse with him shall be more immediate, and you are dwelling in the very bosom of your God.]