to confound their daring attempts against liis church and people ^ ; to over-rule for the accomplishment of his own pur- poses the voluntary exercise of their own inveterate corrup- tions'; and finally to justify himself \n the eternal judgments, which he will hereafter inflict upon them".
O that the wicked would consider these things, and lay them to heart, while yet they might obtain mercy !
Next let " the good" consider their concern also in this truth. " God's eye is on them also ; and his ear is open to their prayers^." He meets them in his house of prayer >': if there were but one broken-hearted sinner in the midst of a whole congregation, God would fix his eye in a more especial manner upon him^. When they go forth into the world, he follows them as closely as their shadow^. When they retire to their secret chamber, he " draws nigh to them''," and " manifests himself to them as he does not unto the world '=."
And ivherefore is all this solicitude about such unworthy creatures ? wherefore is all this atteiition to their concerns ? " Hear, O heavens ; and be astonished, O earth." God has deigned to inform us on this subject, and to declare, that he " beholds the good," to protect them iti danger^; to comfort them in trouble'^; to supply their wants ^j to over-rule for good their multiplied afjlictions^ \ lastly, he notices them, to observe tlie workings of his grace in them^\ in order that he may proclaim before the assembled universe the secret exercises of piety in their hearts', and give a lively demonstration to all, that in exalting them to a participation of his glory, he acts agreeably to the immutable dictates of justice ajid equity^.
Let the righteous then " set the Lord always before themV Let them " walk circumspectly" that they may not grieve him "' ; and actively, that they may please him well in all things": and, whatever difficulties they may have to contend with, let them proceed boldly, and " endure, as seeing him that is invisible "."]
s Exod. xiv. 24, 25. " looked,'' and Isai. xxxvii. 28, 29.
t Ps. ii. 1 — 6. " Jer. xvii. 10. and xvi. 17, 18. and Ps. li. 4.
^ Ps. xxxiv. 15. y Isai. Ixiv. 5, Matt, xviii. 20.
2 Isai, Ixvi. 2. » Josh. i. 9. widi Heb. xiii. 5, G.
^ Jam. iv, 8. '^ John xiv. 22.
•1 2 Chron. xvi. 9. Ps. cxxi. 5 — 7. ^ Ps. xli. 1, 3.
^ Ps. xxxiii. 18, 19. and xxxiv. 9, 10.
g Mai. iii. 3. " as a refiner.'" Job xxiii. 10. with John xv. 2.
h Hos. xiv. 8. Jer. xxxi. 18, 20. i Matt. vi. 4, 6, 18.
^ Rom. ii. 5 — 7. " n^//<eoMS judgment."
^ Ps. xvi. 8. See also Matt. xxv. 35, 36, 46.
"' Exod. xxiii. 20, 21. " Col. i. 10.
o Isai. xli. 10, 13, 14. Heb. xi. 27.