The worthiness of his object was justly marked by,
II. The ardour of his pursuit —
This blessed object he sought,
1. In fervent and continual prayer — [Observe his own account: " I cried, I cried, I cried ;" I cried " with my heart," with " my whole heart." What can we conceive more expressive than such language as this ? Yet we are sure he did not exaggerate, or state any thing that was not strictly true. Moreover, so ardent was his mind in these holy
f Ps. cv. 45. e Luke i. 74. 75.
exercises, and so great his delight in them, that Vie " prevented the dawning of the morning," and rose often while it was yet dark, in order to pour out Ins soul before God.
Now this shews us how the renovation and salvation of the soul should be sought by every child of man. It should occupy our whole mind ; it should engage our whole soul. To seek it in a lukewarm and listless way, is to shew that we have no just value for our souls, and no real delight in God. Examine, we beseech you, beloved Brethren, how it is with you in this
respect for ye may as surely know by this the state of
your souls before God, as if ye were to look into the very book of God's remembrance You must distinguish also care- fully between the exertions that are made in your own strength, and the efforts which are made in prayer to obtain help from God. It is from these that you must judge of your self- knowledge, and humility, and dependence upon God : for in proportion only as you feel your own weakness, and his readi- ness to aid you, will your application to him be such as David's was ]
2. In a believing dependence on God's word —
[The word of God meditated on, and applied to the soul by faith, is the great support and encouragement of all who desire mercy at God's hands : and David" prevented the night-watches" in order to read it, and meditate upon it, and pray over it. Thus it should be with us also. O then let me ask, Is the blessed word of God the one rule of your desires, and the one ground of your expectations ? and in this view is it your meditation day
and night ? Here again you may obtain an insight into
the state of your souls, and learn to estimate with precision your spiritual attainments. You may, as biblical students, be ex- tremely diligent, consuming the midnight oil, and labouring all the day, without being at all nearer to God than those who never look into the sacred records. The question is, Whether you lay hold of it as a word of promise from God to you, and whether
you plead it day and night before God in prayer ?
This will prove you Christians indeed ; more especially if the promises of grace for your sanctification be as dear to you as the promises of mercy for your pardon and acceptance. This is the habit of mind which God approves, and which will assuredly issue in everlasting salvation ]
Application —
1. How have your minds hitherto been exercised
in relation to eternal things ?
[Have you thus redeemed time, even from your sleep, for the purpose of forwarding with all possible earnestness the welfare of your souls ? ]
713.] BLESSEDNESS IN LOVING GOD's LAW. 375
2. What are your views and purposes respecting them in future ?
[Are you procrastinating, and wasting your time in indolent
habits or worthless pursuits ? O ! awake from your
slumbers : up, and be doing : and the Lord be with you !]