TO A SOUND CONVERSION. 447 their hearts, that I remember all their wickedness : now their doings have beset them about, they are before my face. But you will say, What if God do consider our ways? Why surely then it is not for nothing, but evil is near if not prevented. As the Lord saith, Is this not laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures ? To me belongetli ven- geance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time. For the day of their calamity is at hand ; and the things that shall come upon them make haste. If God be registering up thy sins, thou hast cause to tremble to think what that portends ; for in this hardness and impenitency of the heart, thou art treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath, and re- velation of the righteousjudgments of God. As grace is the seed of glory, so sin is the seed of shame, and trouble, and everlasting torment : and though it may seem long before the harvest, you will taste the bitter fruit at last ; and whatsoever you have sowed that shall you reap. 10. Moreover, if any thing ailed you, You look that God should presently consider you ; or if you want any thing, you think he should consider your wants : and yet will you not consider of him, and of your own wants ? When you are in trouble, you will cry to God, Have mercy upon me, O Lord, consider my trouble : Consider and hear me, O God. When you lie in pain and sickness, you will then cry to God, Consider mine affliction, and deliver me. If you bé oppressed or abused, you will groan as the Israelites under their task-masters, and perhaps cry to God, as the captive people, See, O Lord, and consider; for I am become vile : Remember, O Lord, what is come upon us : Consider and behold our reproach. And must God consider of ,you, that will not consider of him or your own souls? or, may you not rattier expect that dreadful answer which he gives to such regard- less sinners,(m) and hear your cries as you hear his counsel, and think of you as you thought of him ; (m) Prov. i. 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30.
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