of a deeper and more abiding character ; not only because it is of a less abstract nature, but because it applies itself more to the best feelings of our hearts.
But, whilst I enter on this part of my subject, I feel that, from the mode in which I propose to illus- trate it, I may, to those who are not conversant with the Scripture history, be thought to treat it with less reverence than so deep and mysterious a subject demands. But I beg leave to say, that no man under heaven would more revolt from any thing that was irreverent in the ministration of the Gospel, than he who is about to submit to you the statement which is now contemplated. It must be remem- bered, that the condescension of the Deity is that which is particularly to be set before you ; and that, if it be brought before you in a way that is not usual, it is exhibited in the very light which the Scriptures themselves most fullv authorize. I need not remind this audience of the condescension of God to Abra- ham, when he permitted him to intercede for Sodom ; and to reiterate his requests with continually in- creasing enlargement, till he had reduced the num- ber of those for whose sake he desired the devoted cities to be spared, from fifty to forty-five, from forty-five to forty, from forty to thirty, from thirty to twenty, and from twenty to ten'. Nor need I remind you of God's condescension to David, in reference to the judgments to be inflicted on him for numbering the people, in that he left altogether to the decision of the offender himself the judgment with which he should be visited". But there is yet another instance of condescension which comes more fully to our point, and that is, God's own permission to Solomon to ask for himself whatsoever he chose (" Ask what I shall give thee") : and his high ap- probation of the petition offered, in that he not only granted the thing desired, but added also other valuable blessings which the petitioner had forborne to askx.
Now, if we take these Scripture examples, and
1 Gen. xviii. 23—32. u o Sam. xxiv. 12.
x 1 Kings iii. 5, 12, 13.