PART II. SERMON VI. 83 for them that are careless and unconcerned for themselves: I would weep a little at the seat of God for them : I would leave a tear or two at the throne of mercy, for my dearest relatives in the flesh, for children, brothers or sisters, that they might he brought near to God, in the bonds' of the spirit. Then would I remember my friends in Christ, my brethren and kindred in the gospel; such as labour under heavy burdens, languish under various infirmities of life, or groan under the power of strong temptations. When God indulgesme the favour of his ear, I would spread their wants and sorrows before him; together with my own, and make supplicationfor all the saints. I would leave a petition at the mercy-seat for mynative country, that knowledge and holiness may overspread the nation : that our king may be a nursing father to the church, and our princes may be blessingsto the land. And while I send up myrequest for the British islands, Iwould breathe out many a sigh for Zion, that she may be the joy of the whole earth. I proceed now to, III. The third head of enquiry, which is this; why does a saint, when he gets near to God, delight to tell him all ,his cir- cumstances, and all his sorrows ? - Ingeneral I might say this, because it is so seldom, at least in our day, that a saint gets very near to God ; therefore, whenhe finds that happyminute, he says to his God all that he wants to say : he tells him all hisheart, he pours out all his wants before him ; because these seasons arevery few. Itis but here and there an extraordinary christian, who maintains constant nearness to God : The best complain of too much distanceand estrangement. But to descend to particulars : 1. Ile is our chief friend, and it is an ease to the soul to vent itself in the bosom of à friend, when we are in his company. More especially .as it was in the case of Job, when other friends failed him when he had begun to tell them some of his sorrows, and withal maintainedhis own integrity ; they would not believe him, but became his troublers instead of his Comforters : M/ friends scorn me,. says Job, chap. xvi. 20. but mine eye pouretle out tears unto God. Igo to my best friend, myfriendin heaven, when my friends here on earth neglect me. Man is a sociable creature, and our joys 'and our sorroware made to be communicated, that thereby we may double the one, and alleviate the other. There is scarce any piece ofhuman na- ture, be it neverso stupid, but feels some satisfaction in the plea- sureof a friend, in communicating the troubles and the pleasures that it feels ; but those that have God for their highest and best friend, they love to be . Often exercising such acts of friendship with him; and rather with him than with any friend besides, ra- a 2
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