[How many have reason to look back with shame, and to say, " O that it were with me as in months pastk ! " Once you felt some concern about your soul ; but now you are regardless of your eternal interests : once you had some pros- pect of heaven ; but now you have none at all. Consider what a melancholy state this is ; and that, if you continue in it till you go to the bar of judgment, your condition will be most desperate for ever. Be assured that God will be at no loss how to deal with you then : there will be no longer any con- flict in his mind between wrath and pity: abused patience will demand your punishment ; and that punishment shall cor- respond with your iniquity1. O that you were wise, and would consider your latter end !]
2. Those who are yet in a hopeful way —
[Some there are, we trust, over whom the clouds are yet suspended, and the dew is yet lying with prolific virtue. O beg of God, that no wind of temptation may dispel the one, no sun of persecution exhale the other. " Remember Lot's wife : " and watch against every thing that may impede your progress, or shake your constancy. Be much in prayer, that God would " carry on his good work within you, and perform it to the day of Christ." Guard as much against self-depend- ence as against the grossest of sins : for " God is a jealous God," and will leave you to learn by bitter experience what is in your heart, if you trust in an arm of flesh m. "Trust in him only, and with your whole heart ; " and he will " perfect that which concerneth you," and " preserve you unto his heavenly kingdom."]
k Job xxix. 2. * N. B. Compare Hos. xiii. 3. with the text. m 2 Chron. xxxii. 31.