[Unless we stir up ourselves continually, we shall soon lose the Divine presence. We cannot guard too much against for- mality in prayer. Let us be encouraged by God's gracious declaration q — ]
<J Prov. xv. 8. God is not more pleased with the songs of angels than with the sighs and groans of a contrite soul.
lsai. lxv. 12 — 14. Because when I called, ye did not answer; ivhen I spake, ye did not hear ; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not : therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry : behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty : behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed : behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.
IN every age, and every place, God is the same : he is the Governor of the universe, and expects obe- dience from all his creatures, and will deal with them in a way of approbation or displeasure, according as they conduct themselves towards him. Whatever his people do, either in a way of obedience or of disobe- dience, he will notice it, in order to a suitable retri- bution ; taking into the account every thing which, on the one hand, may either extenuate or aggravate the guilt of the disobedient, or, on the other hand, enhance or detract from the services of the obedient. This is evident in the passage before us, where lie specifies his own unwearied kindness to his people as greatly aggravating the guilt of their neglect, and as forming a ground for his executing the heavier judg- ments upon them.
Let us consider,
I. The evil laid to their charge —
This was indeed heinous beyond measure : for, notwithstanding all the remonstrances of successive prophets whom God sent to warn them of their guilt,
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