SERMON VI. Sins and Sorrows spread before God. Jos xxiii. 3, 4. O that I knew where I might find him: that I might come even to bis seat i I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. THE SECOND PART. THERE is such a thing as converse with God in prayer, and it is the life and pleasure of a pious soul ; without it we areno Christians : andhe that practises it most, is the best follower of Christ : for our Lord spent much time inconverse with his heaven- ly Father. This is balm that eases the most raging pains of the mind, when the wounded conscience comes to the mercy-seat, and finds pardon and.peace there. This is the cordial that re- vives and exalts our natures, when thespirit, broken with sorrows, and almost fainting to death, draws near to the Almighty Phy- sician, and is healed and refreshed. The mercy-seat in heaven is our surest and sweetest refuge in every hour of distress and darkness onearth : This isour daily support and relief, while we arepassing through a world of temptations and hardships in the way to the promised land. It is goodjbr us to draw near to God: Ps. lxxiii. 28. And yet so much is humannature sunk downand fallen fromGod, that even his own children are ready to indulge a neglect of converse with him, if their souls are not always upon the watch. But let it be remembered here, that so much as we abate of this divine entertainment among the vanities or amuse- ments of the world, the business or burdens of life ; so much , we lase of the glory and joy of religion, and deprive our souls of the comfort that God invites us to receive. Job was encom- passed with sorrows all around, and his friends had censur- ed him ,as a vile hppocrite, and a great sinner, because he was so terribly afflicted by the hand of God ; whither should he run now but to his heavenly Father, and tell him of all his sufferings. From thepractice of thisholy man, I thought wemight have sufficient warrant to draw this inference, viz. That when a saint gets near to God in.prayer, he tells him all his circumstances, and pleads for help. And that is the doctrine which I am endeavouring now to improve. as O if I could but come near him, even to his seat, 1 would order my cause before
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