present dispersion, and see. You may put far from you the evil day ; but it will come at last ; and with augmented terror, in proportion as it has been despised. I call upon you, then, yea, on every one amongst you, to turn unto the Lord, and to cry, " O Lord God, forgive, I beseech theec!" For where is there one amongst you that does not need forgiveness? or who can obtain forgiveness, if he will not ask ? But, " if ye will not turn to God, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride ; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because of the ruin that awaits youd."
If you would ask, " How shall I arise ? " gladly do I declare, that there is One able to save, and as willing as He is able. " God has laid help for you on One that is mighty :" and you shall have no want of grace or strength if only you will flee to him for succour.
But this leads me to address,]
2. Those who are sinking under discouraging ap- prehensions—
[Beloved Brethren, what is that which you are saying? " How shall I arise ? for I am small." Hear the answer which God gave to his Church of old. Zion of old laboured under your very infirmity : " Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered ? Yes, saith the Lord ; even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered : for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee ; and / will save thy children e." You see how readily God interposed for Israel, at the cry of Amos ; and that too for an obstinate and rebellious people : and will he not hear your cry, which is offered for yourselves ? Moreover, you have a better intercessor than Amos : the Son of God himself " ever lives" in heaven, whither he is gone on purpose " to make intercession for you." Put your cause into his hands : commit yourselves entirely to him, and you have nothing to fear : for " him the Father heareth always." Say to him, as Hezekiah did under the most desponding apprehen- sions that could be conceived, " Lord, I am oppressed ; un- dertake for mef :" and be assured, that if, with a renunciation of all self-dependence, you cast your care on Him, he will speedily interpose for your relief: " he will, in love to your souls, deliver them from the pit of corruption, and cast all your sins behind his backg."]
c The Text. d Jer. xiii. 17. e Isai. xlix. 24, 25.
f Isai. xxxviii. 14. s Isai. xxxviii. 17.
1194.] THE SECURITY OF ALL GOD's PEOPLE. 235