THE UNCONVEJ!.TED, '135 their children ror ever!" Deut. v. 29. "0 that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!" · Deut. xxxii. 29. He vvould have been your God1 and done all for you that your soul§ could well desire: but you loved the world and your flesh above him, and therefore you would not hearken to_him: though you complirqented him, and gave him high titles; yet when it came t o the closing, you would have none of him. Psalm lxxxi. 11, 12. No marvel then if he gave you up to your own hearts' lusts, anel you walked in your own counsels. He condescends to reason, and pleads the case with you, and asks you, ' What is there in me, or my service, that you should be so much against me? What harm have I done thee, sinner? Have I deserved this unkind dealing at thy hand? Many mercies have I showed thee: for which of them dost thou thus despise me? Is it I, or is it Satan, that is thy enemy? Is it I, or is it thy carnal self that would undo thee? Is it a holy life, or a life of sin that thou hast cause to fly from ? If thou be undone, thou procm·est this to thyself, by forsaking me, the Lord that would have saved thee.' Jer. ii. 7. "Doth not thy own wickedness correct thee, and thy sin reprove thee? Thou mayst see that it is an evil and bitter 'thing that thou hast forsaken me." Jer. ii. 19. "'N hat iniquity have you found in me that you have followed after vanity, and forsaken me?" Jer. ii. 5, 6. H~ calleth out, as it were, to the brutes, to hear the controversy he hath against you. Mic. ii. 3-5. "Hear, 0 ye mountains, the Lord's controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth; for the Lord hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel. 0 my people, what have .I done unto thee, and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me, for I brought thee up out of Egypt, and redeemed thee." "Hear, 0 heavens, and give ear, 0 eart,h, for the Lord hath spoken. I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.
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