[Great as the dangers were from which Israel had been delivered by the interpositions of their God, they were not a whit greater than those to which we are exposed every day and hour. Truly we have a sea of difficulties ready to overwhelm us : we have a roaring lion seeking to devour us ; and a subtle enemy ready to take us in his snares. And who, but God, can deliver us ? Who can hope to escape from so great perils, if God himself be not on his side? Truly, " our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth," and in his name alone. Where is there one of us, who, when he considers the number and power of his spiritual enemies, has not reason to say, " Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given me as a prey to their teeth?" Sure we are, that there is not a believer amongst us, who does not view himself as " a brand plucked out of the burning," and marvel at the grace that has been magnified towards him in the redemption of his soul.
Now then let those who have not yet experienced this mercy, consider how gracious God has been to our guilty land, and what an amazing deliverance he has vouchsafed to us : and let them say within themselves, " Will God be less gracious to my soul?" Has he not assured me, that "he willeth not the death of any sinner ;" that " he will cast out none who come to him in the name of Jesus ;" and that, if I make my requests known to him, he will fill me with "a peace that passeth all under- standing ?" O let us put this matter to a trial; let us see whether or not he is "rich in mercy unto all that call upon him." Beloved Brethren, the time is short : there are yet but a few more months or years, perhaps but a few more days or hours, before the day of salvation will be closed. We would earnestly wish, that, at the moment of your departure hence, you should be able to look back on all the dangers you have escaped, and with triumphant exultation adopt the language of the psalm before us. Certainly, as many of us as shall be saved at last, will instantly, on their entrance into the eternal world, begin the song of the redeemed, and sing, " Salvation to God and to the Lamb for ever and ever!" Now then seek to have the Lord on your side : beg him to strengthen you against all the evils of your own hearts ; to rescue you from the impending storms of a tumultuous world; and to deliver you from all the deceit and violence of your great adversary. So shall you have peace with God in your own conscience ; and in due season enter into that rest, where neither sin nor sorrow shall ever assault you more.0]
0 The author was not aware that he had written on this subject before. But as the former Skeleton consists of only a single page, and this goes over such different ground, particularly in shewing how to improve national mercies, he has thought it not improper to print this also.