This subject may lead us to observe,
1. Of what importance it is to search out the hidden corruptions of our hearts !
[Covetousness is a sin of which scarce any persons in the world acknowledge themselves guilty: nor, however much they be under the power of it, do they see any occasion for humiliation before God, provided they be free from gross and scandalous offences. But the predominance of that, or any other vile affection in the heart, may fill God with wrath against us, and cause him to " hide his face" from us for ever, and to " smite" us with his heaviest judgments. Should we not then be afraid of " speaking peace to ourselves, when there is no peaces?" Should we not beg of God to give us increasing views of those chambers of imagery, where ten thousand abominations lurk unseen4? Should we not with all diligence search our hearts, to find whether there be any way of wickedness allowed within us"? Let there be a holy jealousy in every breast: and let the utmost care be used, lest we deceive ourselves to our eternal ruin.]
2. How necessary is it to notice the dealings of God
towards us !
[If we meet with temporal afflictions, we should regard them as sent by God ; and though they are tokens of love to his people, yet are they indications of wrath to his enemies ; and, whether we be converted or not, they have a voice which it becomes us to hear with attention and reverence x. If we are visited with spiritual judgments, if God hides his face
m Luke xiii. 3. " Jer. xxxi. 9. ° Ps. li. 17.
p Ezek. xxxvi. 26. <i Acts v. 31. r Isai. lxi. 3.
s Jer. vi. 14. l Ezek. viii. G — 15.
u Ps. cxxxix. 23, 24. x Mic. vi. 9.