sight appear expressive of too great familiarity, are indeed the genuine effusions of a contrite soul — ]
Let us approach our God in terms of like import — [To whom can we look as our " Hope," but Jehovah ? and who but he has been our " Saviour in times of trouble?" But, alas ! He is at present but as " a stranger in the land, or as a mighty man that cannot save." We have cried to him, and we are not delivered : though he has graciously interposed on some occasions, yet still we are left in deep affliction ; nor can we at all divine what shall be the issue of our troubles. The greater part of us too, we fear, are no less in doubt respecting the issue of their spiritual conflicts : If they have ever cried to God, their enemies yet prevail ; and it is uncertain whether they shall not finally be overwhelmed by sin and Satan. With what earnestness, then, should they look to Christ, as to " the hope set before them," and plead with him as their Saviour in this hour of need!]
But to their expostulations let us not forget to add,
III. Their fervent petitions —
The penitents before us seemed conscious as well of their unworthiness as of their impotency —
Hence, both in their petitions and their pleas, they expressed their entire reliance upon God's grace and mercy —
[Sensible, that if God forsook them, or refused his aid, they must perish, they cried, " Leave us not ! " " Do thou it" which we desire : and having no goodness or worthiness of their own to plead, they entreated him " for his name's sake," and because of his presence with them, and his relation to them; " Thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name : leave us not ! "]
A more excellent pattern for our imitation we can- not find —
[What can we do as a nation, if God forsake us, or with- hold his powerful interposition ? In vain will our fleets and armies go forth to meet the enemy, if God be not with them, to succeed their efforts. But can we plead the supei'ior piety of our nation ? Is there any thing in the land so excellent, that we can urge it with God as a ground whereon we may expect his favour ? Alas ! the superior light of which we boast, and the distinguished blessings which we enjoy, have greatly aggravated our national guilt : we can therefore ask nothing but mercy, for mercy's sake. It is true, " God is still (blessed be his name !) in the midst of us ;" and while our enemies have