ZheSoule.r efetimallcalling to Ghrifi. 559 Samuelorders unto them ; Samuel well faw that this is the nature of all men, by rcafon of their fiafulldifiempers, that when we thinke weeare in a good cafe,we never looke after mercie ; and when we are apprehenfiveofour ownebafeneífe and wretchedneffe, wee dare not looke towards mercie : before they law their finnes andGods anger for them, they never cared for mercie, but now they heard the thunder, and apprehended Godsdifpleafure therein, theydura not goe to God for mercie : nowmarke how samuel chalkes out a middle way betweene them both, in the twentieth verfe, Feare not, faith he, you have done all this rrickedneJ[ , yet depart notfromfollowing the Lord, but ferve the Lerd with allyourhearts, neither turne your backer after . vaine things that can profit you nothing; as who fhould fay, I will not lefl'en your finnes, youhave finned grievoufly,you have finned fearfully, and hainoufly, I intend not to excufe or extenuate your wickedneíl'e : but de- part not from the Lard ; as who (Louie! fay , you will be gone from Godnow; you will 'coke for nomercie you will expect no favour; the Lord you have cafe off, and therefore you thinke bee will calf off you, take heed of that, depart not from the Lord, for that is to follow lying vani- ties, and that is to forfake your owne mercies fo the foule of a poore firmer fhould reafon thus; Tis true, my fins are many, mywants are excee- dinglymulti plied,Ihave finned againft God,and am difcouraged,and fh:ail I-be more difcouraged, andfinemore againtl God ? I ammiferable by Bbbb 2 departing ,.
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