u - 62 'SECOND SERMON the ground of their petition for pardon and grace, and of their promise of praises and amendment ; God's mercy in hearing the prayers, and in enabling the performances of his people. It is a metaphor drawn from orphans in their minority, who are, 1. Destitute of wisdom and abilities to help themselves ; 2. Ex- posed to violence and injuries; 3. Committed for that reason to the care of tutors and guardians to govern and protect them. The church here acknow- ledgeth herself an outcast, destitute of all wisdom and strength within, of all succour and support from without, and therefore betaketh herself solely unto God's tuition, whose mercy can and useth to help when all other help fails. This is the last link of that golden chain of repent- ance made up of these gradations : 1.. A humble address unto God ; 2. A penitent confession of sin ; 3. An earnest petition against it ; 4. An imploring of grace and favour ; 5. Thanksgiving for such great benefits ; 6. A covenant of new obedience ; 7. A confidence and quiet repose in God. Let us now consider what useful observations the words thus opened will afford unto us. And one main. point may be collected from the general scope of the place. We see after they have petitioned for pardon and grace, they then stipulate and undertake to perform duties of thankfulness and obedience. True penitents in their conversion from sin, and humiliation for it, do not only pray unto God for mercy, but do further covenant to express the fruits of those mercies in a thankful and obedient conversa- tion. When first we are admitted into the family and household of God, we enter into a covenant. There- fore circumcision, whereby the children of the Jews were first sealed and separated for God, is called his
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