[He reveals himself to his people as he does not unto the world1; he shines into their hearts to discover to them his glory. But he will vouchsafe no such mercy to those who call not upon him. His perfections are to them rather an object of terror than of admiration.]
He will not manifest to them his love —
[He often " sheds abroad his love in the hearts" of those who seek him, but the neglecters of prayer " intermeddle not with their joy k: they are strangers to the spirit of adoption; they rather banish God from their thoughts, and wish like the fool1, that there were " no God."]
He will not communicate to them his blessings —
[His faithful worshippers have all the blessings of grace and glory. But others have no part or lot with them. The blessings they do enjoy are turned into a curse unto them ; and to eternity they must ascribe their misery to their own neglect1".]
Application —
They, who live without prayer, should consider
these things —
[This offence has been awfully marked by the indignation of God". How bitter must be the reflections of those who perish through this neglect ! Surely all should seek the Lord while he may be found.]
They also, who are formal in prayer, should lay them to heart —
[These, as being more liable to deceive themselves, are in greater danger. Our prayers must be fervent in order to be effectual0. If we would enter into heaven, we must press into it with violence p.]
Nor should this subject ever be forgotten by those who profess godliness —
' John xiv. 22. k Prov. xiv. 10.
1 Ps. xiv. 1. The words in Italics are not in the original.
m If all the souls that are banished from the Divine presence were asked, " Wherefore has God hid his face from you ? " they must as- sign the reason that is given in the text.
n Ps. lxxxi. 10 — 12. " God gave them up :" to what? to their enemies ? to death ? or to immediate and eternal condemnation ? No ; to what was worse than even that, " their own hearts' lust," that they might " treasure up wrath against the day of wrath."
° Jam. v. 16. p Matt. xi. 12.