prophet himself as collectively importing, that we should " seek the Lord :" but, separately taken, they point out the particular manner in which we should seek him :
1. In the performance of his will —
[Though no man ever hopes to reap wheat, where he has sowed only tares, almost all expect to obtain heaven, notwith- standing they have never made it the one object of their pur- suit. But the Apostle guards us against this fatal error, and assures us, that we shall reap according to what we have sowed a. Would we then have a joyful harvest in the day of judgment, let us not be provoking God by a life of sin ; but turn to him in the way of righteousness ; nor let us regard the duties of the first or second table only ; but labour to fulfil all his will uniformly and without reserve.]
2. In a dependence on his mercy —
[As there are many who hope to find acceptance with God, notwithstanding they seek him not at all, so are there many, who think they make God their debtor by the works they perforin ; and that they can earn heaven, as it were, by their own righteousness. But, however we may " sow in righteousness," we must " reap in mercy." Death is the wages of sin : but life is not the wages of righteousness ; all our righteousnesses are imperfectb : our best deeds are mixed with sin : and therefore we must be contented to accept heaven as the unmerited gift of God through Jesus Christ0.]
3. In a due preparation of heart to receive his blessings —
[It would be in vain for a man to sow his seed on fallow ground. The very rains, which God might send down upon it, would be of no service, if the ground were not purged of its weeds, and the seed buried in the bosom of the earth. Thus neither can the soul make a just improvement of spiritual blessings, unless it be broken up, as it were, by the divine law. Till this be done, the true way of salvation will appear foolish- ness. To be diligent in working righteousness, and, after all, to depend on mere mercy, will be thought paradoxical and absurd. But, when once the law is brought home to the conscience in its spirituality and extent, the soul is made wil- ling to submit to the righteousness of God ; and yet is induced to purify itself even as God is pure. It was by this means that St. Paul was brought to a right mindd; nor is there any
a Gal. vi. 7, 8. b Isai. lxiv. 6.
c Rom. vi. 23. Phil. iii. 9. d Rom. vii. 9.