anxious for the removal of your trials, as for the sanctification of them to your souls. Make but the improvement of them which is suggested in my text, and you will have reason to adore God for them as the richest blessings that could be con- ferred upon you.]
Lam. iii. 25. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
" THE earth," we are told, " is full of the good- ness of the Lorda :" and indeed it is not possible to behold the universe at large, or to inspect with ac- curacy any thing that is contained in it, without being convinced that God is good to all, and that his tender mercy is over all his works V But to the humble suppliant he manifests his goodness in a more especial manner, as we are informed in the words before us : from which we shall take occasion to notice,
I. The character here given of the Deity —
The humble suppliant is an object of his peculiar regard. To him he will pay attention,
1 . In a way of merciful acceptance —
[He may have sinned grievously, and for a long season ; yea, he may have equalled even Manasseh himself in his iniquities, and yet find mercy with the Lord, provided he seek
for it in humble, earnest, and believing prayer0 He
may have even backslidden from God, and fallen grievously, after having long professed himself a servant of God; and yet, on his repentance, God will heal his backslidings, and
love him freely d There are no bounds to the mercy
of God towards returning penitents e ]
2. In a way of friendly communication — -
[Let any soul " draw nigh to God, and God will draw nigh unto himf :" and let him " open his mouth ever so wide,
a Ps. xxxiii. 5. b Ps. cxlv. 9. c 2 Chron. xxxiii. 12, 13.
d Jer. iii. 22. Ps. xxxii. 5. e Isai. i. 18.
f Jam. iv. 8.