Rom. viii. 28. We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
TRUE believers have the greatest encouragement to draw nigh to God ; they have supernatural assist- ance when pouring out their hearts before him, and are assured by God himself that their prayers shall be heard ; yet, sometimes, like the Israelites in Egypt, the more they renew their requests, the more they find their burthens increased11: hence, like them, they are also sometimes ready to murmur and de- spond1*; but, by grace they are enabled to wait patiently the Lord's leisure, and invariably, in the issue, the clouds which they so much dreaded, burst in blessings on their heads.
This St. Paul declares to be tke. experience of all true believers. In his words I wish you to notice, I. The description he gives of true Christians —
Christians are sometimes described in the Scriptures by their regard for God, and sometimes by God's regard for them. The text leads us to speak of them in both points of view :
1. Their regard to God —
[The " loving of God" is a character peculiar to true Christians: others are represented rather as " haters of God," and enemies to him in their minds0; but they who are par- takers of his grace, have their natural enmity removed : they behold his excellency, and are sensible of their obligations to him : hence they love him, and strive to love him with their whole hearts.]
2. God's regard for them —
[Their regard for him sprang not from any good disposi- tions in themselves ; it resulted purely from the manifestations of God's love to them : he formed " purposes" of love to them from all eternity d. In due time he " called" them by his grace,
» Exod. v. G— 8. b Exod. v. 20, 21.
c Rom. i. 30. Col. i. 21. d Jer. xxxi. 3.