House of God : see it, I say, in the case of king Manasseh ; of whom it is said, " ^^'hen he vas in alHiction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled him greatly before the God of his fathers, and i)ra} ed unto him :" behold ! of this man it is said, " God was intreated of him, and heard his suppli- cation'."
Say now, whether here be not encouragement enough to seek humility ? Find an humble person to whom God ever refused any thing. You cannot. A humble person may be " cast down for a time : but he shall soon be lifted up : for God n ill save the humble persoii'^."]
What shall I then add to these considerations?
[You need no other inducement to work either upon your hopes or fears. To have God your enemy, determined to " resist yoil," would be the greatest evil that could befal you : but to have him your Friend, pledged to supply you with all the blessings of grace and glory, would be the summit of human bliss. Commending then this alternative to your devoutest meditations, I would say to all of you in the animated language of the Prophet, " A-wake, awake, put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city*"." There is nothing so " becoming to one of God's elect, as humble- ness of mind'," nor any ornament he can wear so pleasing to his God**. Come then. Beloved, and clothe yourselves with humility ; and wear it so at all times, that you may be known by it, as a man is by his accustomed dress : so shall " God be glorified in you," and all who behold you be compelled to " acknowledge, that God is with you of a truth."]
'2 Chron.xxxiii. 12, 13. sjobxxii.29, '' Isai. lii, 1.
'Col. iii. 12. "1 Pet. iii. 4.